Hyperkalemia Center - Victoria, TXVictoria 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 Victoria * Detar Senior Care  Detar Senior Care  Larry Riedel MD  Victoria Nephrology  Ana Delgado MD  Detar Hospital  Vasavada Medical Consultants  Victoria Medical & Rehab  Victoria VA Outpatient Clinic  Victoria VA Outpatient Clinic  Shah N Afridi MD  Kevin Anderson DO  Mehran Arabi-Nezhad MD  Peter-Mihn Nguyen MD  William B Shay MD  Crossroads Health Center  Crossroads Health Center  James Grumman MD  Gulshan K Minocha MD  John P Soule MD  Nhi P Le MD  Mau-Shong Lin MD  Port Lavaca Clinic Associates PA  Port Lavaca Clinic Associates PA  Bohman Clinic  Lavaca Family Health Clinic  Lavaca Family Health Clinic  Mid Coast Medical Clinic  Beeville Medical Associates  Beeville Family Practice LLP  First Fruit Medical Clinic  Terry F Eska MD  Internal Medicine Associates  Internal Medicine Associates  Jose E Benamu MD  Jerome A Lee Sang MD & Vanessa Ven Huizen DO  South Texas Medical Associates  David L Heredia MD  Four Oaks Medical Clinic  South Texas Medical Clinics PA Wharton  South Texas Medical Center  South Texas Medical Clinics Rosenberg  South Texas Medical Clinics PA Wharton  South Texas Medical Clinics Internal Medicine  Barry J Liberoni MD  Andrew M Sher MD  Jess Lambujon MD  Ammini J Valloppillil MD  Cesar A Albarracin MD  Osvaldo A Brusco MD  Colleen M Madigan MD  Padre Coast Medical Association  Coastal Bend Oncology & Hematology  Randy Fuentes MD  Gregory A Krynski MD  Raymond B Acebo MD  Robert Vela MD  Maurice S Grossman MD  Isaac Chitrit MD  Cecil M Bourne MD  Longevity & Wellness Center of South Texas Inc  Longevity & Wellness Center of South Texas Inc  Longevity & Wellness Center of South Texas Inc  Doctors Regional Medical Emergency Center  S Texas Adult Medicine Associates  S Texas Adult Medicine Associates  S Texas Adult Medicine Associates  Jean-Jacques Carr MD & Lana B Carr MD  Michael Lovoi MD  Mark D Rasmusson MD  Juan Sygal MD  Luis E Leyton MD  Diabetes America  Bay Area Family Practice  Thomas-Spann Clinic PA  Thomas-Spann Clinic PA  Thomas-Spann Clinic PA  Thomas-Spann Clinic PA  Thomas-Spann Clinic PA  Rene M Rodriguez MD  Smithville Regional Hospital  Coastal Bend Family Medicine  Renu Dhar MD  Michele Ibanez MD  Michele Ibanez MD  David C Gray MD PAs  Robert L Frets MD  Yu-Jie Kuo MD  Sankararao Tamtam MD  Vernon C Haverlah DO  Arjun Mohandas MD  Arjun Mohandas MD  Capital Nephrology Associates  Bastrop Medical Clinic  Rajeev M Gupta MD  Riverbend Medical Group  Sealy Urgent Care  Don R Bosse MD  Jairo L Bermuda MD  Julia B Symon MD Victoria, TexasUpcoming Local Events2012-06-04
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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 Victoria
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