Hyperkalemia Center - Vancouver, WAVancouver 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 Vancouver * Hudson Bay Medical Group  Hudson Bay Medical Group  Hudson Bay Medical Group  Hudson Bay Medical Group  Timothy T Ross  Carulli Medical Clinic  Fuhua Guo MD  Vancouver Clinic Internal Medicine  Vancouver Clinic Inc  Vancouver Clinic Internal Medicine  Vancouver Clinic Internal Medicine  Vancouver Clinic Inc  Vancouver Clinic Inc  The Vancouver Clinic Pulmonology  Vancouver Clinic Internal Medicine  Vancouver Clinic Inc  Vancouver Clinic Internal Medicine  Vancouver Clinic Inc  Vancouver Clinic Internal Medicine  Vancouver Clinic Internal Medicine  Creekside Medical PS  Creekside Medical PS  Creekside Medical PS  Creekside Medical PS  Cogent Healthcare Inc  Cogent Healthcare Inc  Internal Medicine of Salmon Creek  Internal Medicine of Salmon Creek  Internal Medicine of Salmon Creek  Internal Medicine of Salmon Creek  Internal Medicine of Salmon Creek  Northwest Medical Group  Northwest Medical Group  Northwest Medical Group  Northwest Medical Group  Vancouver Primary Care  Adventist Health Cascade Park Internal Medicine  Adventist Health Cascade Park Internal Medicine  Fisher's Internal Medicine  Columbia Technology Center  Columbia Technology Center  Pearson Medical Clinic  Kirkpatrick Family Care  Kirkpatrick Family Care  PeaceHealth Medical Group Internal Medicine B  PeaceHealth Medical Group Internal Medicine B  PeaceHealth Medical Group Internal Medicine B  Kirkpatrick Family Care  PeaceHealth Medical Group Internal Medicine B  PeaceHealth Medical Group Internal Medicine B  Peacehealth Medical Group C  PeaceHealth Medical Group Clinic Specialty Clinic  PeaceHealth Medical Group Clinic Specialty Clinic  PeaceHealth Medical Group Clinic Specialty Clinic  PeaceHealth Medical Group  PeaceHealth Medical Group Clinic Specialty Clinic  Lower Columbia Regional Cancer Center  PeaceHealth Medical Group Clinic Specialty Clinic  Kirkpatrick Family Care  Neal Kirkpatrick MD  Kirkpatrick Family Care  Steck Medical Center  Steck Medical Center  Steck Medical Center  Providence Internal Medicine  Richard S Elloway MD  Providence Internal Medicine  Loren D Cooper MD  Floyd D Smith MD  Brian Keay MD  Providence Western Washington Oncology  Kenneth P Lee MD  Providence Internal Medicine  Providence Internal Medicine  Providence Internal Medicine  Providence Internal Medicine  Zachary H Chen MD  South Sound Internal Medicine  South Sound Internal Medicine  South Sound Internal Medicine  St Peters Hospital Hospitalist  South Sound Pulmonary Associates  Olympia Internal Medicine  South Sound Pulmonary Associates  South Sound Pulmonary Associates  Olympia Internal Medicine  Group Health Olympia Medical Center  Group Health  Michael D Herring MD  T Hian Pouw MD  Reinke Medical Group  Olympia Multi-Specialty Clinic  Judith O Son MD  Dean S Wiese MD Vancouver, WashingtonUpcoming Local Events2012-06-09
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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 Vancouver
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