Hyperkalemia Center - Tuckahoe, VATuckahoe Internist Doctors for HyperkalemiaType of Physician: Internist What is a Internist? A certification by the Board of Internal Medicine; practitioners provide long-term, comprehensive care in the office and the hospital, managing both common illnesses and complex problems for adolescents, adults, and the elderly. General internists are trained in primary care internal medicine, which incorporates an understanding of disease prevention, wellness, substance abuse, mental health and treatment of problems of the eyes, ears, skin, nervous system and reproductive organs. All internists are trained in the subspecialty areas of internal medicine including emergency internal medicine and critical care. Internists consult with surgeons when surgical management is indicated, and often act as consultants to other specialists. Specialty: Internal Medicine Common Name: Internist Doctors in Tuckahoe * Infectious Diseases Specialists PC  Nephrology Specialists PC  Milan P Krickovic MD  Crossen Family Practice  Nephrology Specialists PC  Infectious Diseases Specialists PC  Nephrology Specialists PC  Martin T Starkman MD Ltd  HDH Hospitalists  Richmond Primary Care  VCU Womens Health Center  VCU Womens Health Center  VCU Womens Health Center  VCU Womens Health Center  Internal Medicine Associates Virginia  Associated Internists Inc  Senior Health Center  Associated Internists Inc  Bon Secours St Mary's Hospitalists  Monument Internal Medicine  Virginia Cancer Institute  Virginia Diabetes & Endocrinology  Associated Internists Inc  Associated Internists Inc  George Meyerhoff MD  Monument Internal Medicine  Bon Secours St Mary's Hospitalists  Gastrointestinal Associates of Virginia Inc  St Mary's Hospital  Bon Secours St Mary's Hospitalists  Associated Internists Inc  Bon Secours St Mary's Hospitalists  St Mary's Hospital  Internal Medicine Associates Virginia  Cardiac Surgery Specialists  Partner MD  West End Internal Medicine  West End Internal Medicine  West End Internal Medicine  Partner MD  West End Internal Medicine  West End Internal Medicine  Barrington H Bowser Jr. MD  Premier Health Care Associates  Primary Care of West End LLC  Rozana Itskovich MD  Premier Health Care Associates  Ghulam D Qureshi MD  Brenda Ray MD  Primary Care of West End LLC  Bon Secours Sleep Disorders Center  Springfield Medical Center PC  Commonwealth Internal Medicine Associates  Commonwealth Internal Medicine Associates  Commonwealth Internal Medicine Associates  Salman M Akbar MD  Affiliated Dermatologists of Virginia  Commonwealth Hospitalist Services PC  Virginia Heart Institute  Arthritis Specialists Ltd  Cross Ridge Pediatrics & Internal Medicine  Coordinated Care For Seniors  Patient First Carytown  Parham Road Internal Medicine  Innsbrook Primary Care Center  Innsbrook Primary Care Center  Retreat Cardiology  Patient First Woodman  Diabetes Endocrine & Internal Medicine Associates  Retreat Cardiology  Diabetes Endocrine & Internal Medicine Associates  Diabetes Endocrine & Internal Medicine Associates  Pediatric Associates  Virginia Cardiovascular Specialists  Jerome G Smith MD  Virginia Cardiovascular Specialists  Arthritis Specialists Ltd  Arthritis Specialists Ltd  Primary Health Group Inc  Arthritis Specialists Ltd  Primary Health Group Inc  Center For Internal Medicine Hypertension Nephrology & Kidney Diseases  Lakeside Primary Care  Retreat Internal Medicine  William H Young MD  Huguenot Primary Care  Charles Beorn MD  Titus Hendrix Turner Pahle & Christensen MDs  Titus Hendrix Turner Pahle & Christensen MDs  Titus Hendrix Turner Pahle & Christensen MDs  Titus Hendrix Turner Pahle & Christensen MDs  Ashok R Patel MD  Green Medical Center  Lloyd Bonner & Roderick Haithcock MDs  Lloyd Bonner & Roderick Haithcock MDs  Teekah & Tompkins MDs  Teekah & Tompkins MDs  James River Internists LLC  James River Internists LLC  Mansilla Medical Practice PC Tuckahoe, VirginiaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-02
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Hyperkalemia (High Blood Potassium)Read the Hyperkalemia (High Blood Potassium) article » What is hyperkalemia?Hyperkalemia is common; it is diagnosed in up to 8% of hospitalized patients in the U.S. Fortunately, most patients have mild hyperkalemia (which is usually well tolerated). However, any condition causing even mild hyperkalemia should be treated to prevent progression into more severe hyperkalemia. Extremely high levels of potassium in the blood (severe hyperkalemia) can lead to cardiac arrest and death. When not recognized and treated properly, severe hyperkalemia results in a mortality rate of about 67%. Technically, hyperkalemia means an abnormally elevated level of potassium in the blood. The normal potassium level in the blood is 3.5-5.0 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L). Potassium levels between 5.1 mEq/L to 6.0 mEq/L reflect mild hyperkalemia. Potassium levels of 6.1 mEq/L to 7.0 mEq/L are moderate hyperkalemia, and levels above 7 mEq/L are severe hyperkalemia.
How does hyperkalemia affect the body?Potassium is critical for the normal functioning of the muscles, heart, and nerves. It plays an important role in controlling activity of smooth muscle (such as the muscle found in the digestive tract) and skeletal muscle (muscles of the extremities and torso), as well as the muscles of the heart. It is also important for normal transmission of electrical signals throughout the nervous system within the body. Normal blood levels of potassium are critical for maintaining normal heart electrical rhythm. Both low blood potassium levels (hypokalemia) and high blood potassium levels (hyperkalemia) can lead to abnormal heart rhythms. The most important clinical effect of hyperkalemia is related to electrical rhythm of the heart. While mild hyperkalemia probably has a limited effect on the heart, moderate hyperkalemia can produce EKG changes (EKG is an electrical reading of the heart muscles), and severe hyperkalemia can caus... Recommended Reading Related to Hyperkalemia (High Blood Potassium)What are electrolytes?Chemically, electrolytes are substances that become ions in solution and acquire the capacity to conduct electricity. Electrolytes are present in the human body, and the balance of the electrolytes in our bodies is essential for normal function of our cells and our organs. Common electrolytes that are measured by doctors with blood testing include sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate. The functions and normal range values for these electrolytes are described below.
SodiumSodium is the major positive ion (cation) in fluid outside of cells. The chemical notation for sodium is Na+. When combined with chloride, the resulting substance is table salt. Excess sodium (such as that obtained from dietary sources) is excreted in the urine. Sodium regulates the total amount of water in the body and the transmission of sodium into and out of individual cells also plays a role in critical body funct... Other Related Hyperkalemia ArticlesEmergency Contact for Tuckahoe
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