Hyperkalemia Center - Tuscaloosa, ALTuscaloosa 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 Tuscaloosa * Whatley Health Services  Kilgo Headache Clinic  Northport Internal Medicine  Drs Copeland and Stewart  Debra S Davis MD & William K DeBell MD  Debra S Davis MD & William K DeBell MD  Bryce State Hospital Psychiatry  Bryce State Hospital Psychiatry  Drs Copeland and Stewart  Southern Medical & Surgical  Jovencio E de los Reyes MD  Emergi-Care Clinic PC  Dirk Berry MD  Clinic For Rheumatic Disease  University Medical Center  Sunil Chandra MD  Druid City Internal Medicine  Druid City Internal Medicine  Tuscaloosa Internal Medicine  Tuscaloosa Internal Medicine  Tuscaloosa Medical Associates  Tuscaloosa Internal Medicine  Tuscaloosa Internal Medicine  Tuscaloosa Internal Medicine  Internal Medicine Associates  Internal Medicine Associates  Internal Medicine Associates  Internal Medicine Associates  Gastroenterology Consultants  Internal Medicine Associates  Alan Craig MD  Hale County Health Center  Hale County Hospital Clinic  Martha Jo Christian MD  West Jefferson Internal Medicine  Jerry McLane MD  West Jefferson Internal Medicine  Bessemer Clinic  Bessemer Clinic  Ira H Holt MD  Bessemer Clinic  Bessemer Clinic  Bessemer Clinic  Alabama Cardiovascular Group  Metro West Medical Group PC  Thomas A Pace MD  Thomas C Pendleton MD  UAB Health Center Hueytown  Simon Williamson Clinic PC  Baptist Health Center  Parkwest Health Center UAB Medical  Carbon Hill Medical Clinic  Carbon Hill Medical Clinic  Alabama Inpatient Medicine  Alabama Inpatient Medicine  Walker Baptist Cancer Center  Drs Akhtar, Brainin & LeJeune  Drs Akhtar, Brainin & LeJeune  Johnson & Mosley MDs  Johnson & Mosley MDs  Walker Rural Health Services  Internal Medicine Associates of Walker County PC  Michael H Brasfield MD  Charles Cross II MD  Gary L Howard MD  Uchenna G Ifediba MD  Frank Miller MD  Clifton A Latting MD  Edwin M Moyo MD  BHC Shelby Internal Medicine  Dilip V Shah MD  Cahaba Internal Medicine  American Family Care  Winfield Internal Medicine  Winfield Internal Medicine  Medical Arts Clinic  Winfield Internal Medicine  Winfield Internal Medicine  Boger & Solomon MDs  Boger & Solomon MDs  Birmingham Hospitalists  Birmingham Hospitalists  Metro West Medical Group PC  Birmingham Hospitalists  Birmingham Hospitalists  Birmingham Hospitalists  Princeton Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine  Metro West Medical Group PC  Willie D Askew MD  Simon Williamson Clinic PC  Simon Williamson Clinic PC  Simon Williamson Clinic PC  Simon Williamson Clinic PC  Simon-Williamson Clinic PC  Simon Williamson Clinic PC  Simon-Williamson Clinic PC  Simon Williamson Clinic PC  Simon-Williamson Clinic PC  Simon Williamson Clinic PC  Simon Williamson Clinic PC Tuscaloosa, AlabamaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-17
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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 Tuscaloosa
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