Hyperkalemia Center - Warwick, RIWarwick 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 Warwick * Sunil P Verma MD  Frank A Baffoni MD  Sudhir Bansal MD Inc  John Chaffey DO  Mechery J Davis MD  Ralph A DiGiacomo MD  Christian R Herard MD  Lucille L Lanna MD  Medical Group of Rhode Island Inc  K Di Marco DO & M Martin DO  David M Mayer MD  John Chaffey DO  Tollgate OB/GYN  Joseph W Spinale DO  Kent Hospital Emergency Department  Kent Hospitalists  Kent Hospitalists  Kent Hospitalists  Kent Hospitalists  Kent Hospitalists  Kent Hospitalists  Kent Hospitalists  Kent Hospitalists  Kent Hospital  Kent Hospitalists  Kent Hospitalists  Kent Hospitalists  Kent Hospital  Kent Hospitalists  Kent Hospitalists  Kent Hospitalists  Kent Hospitalists  Kent Hospitalists  Bayside Endocrinology Inc  Ocean State Primary Care LLC  Daniel F Lukowicz MD  Kent Hospital Wound Recovery Center  Anthony L Lombardi MD  Anchor Medical Associates  Coastal Medical East Greenwich  Anchor Medical Associates  Anchor Medical Associates  Anthony J Kazlauskas MD  Anchor Medical Associates  Midland Medical  Midland Medical  University Medical Group  University Medical Group  Christopher C Brown MD & Beth Rocchio MD  Jason B Boudjouk & Kimberly J Humulock MDs  Jason B Boudjouk & Kimberly J Humulock MDs  Adult Health Associates Inc  University Medical Group  Adult Health Associates Inc  Coastal Medical East Greenwich  University Medical Group  Olga Tverskaya MD  Coastal Medical East Greenwich  Women's Internal Medicine Inc  Women's Internal Medicine Inc  Women's Internal Medicine Inc  Women's Internal Medicine Inc  Women's Internal Medicine Inc  Thundermist Health Center  Thundermist Health Center  Partners In Primary Care Inc  Partners In Primary Care Inc  Garden City Treatment Center Inc  Garden City Treatment Center Inc  Garden City Treatment Center Inc  Richard P Iacobucci MD  Garden City Treatment Center Inc  Irving T Gilson MD  Kardous Primary Care Inc  Charles Cronin III DO Inc  Charles Cronin III DO Inc  Charles Cronin III DO Inc  James K Cardi MD & Michael J Baccari MD  Medical Group of Rhode Island Inc  Woodridge Medical Associates  James K Cardi MD & Michael J Baccari MD  Coastal Medical Inc  Woodridge Medical Associates  Hao Yuan Huang MD  Coastal Medical Inc  Woodridge Medical Associates  Nicholas J Turilli DO  Leonard A Mannarelli DO  Jack Mourad MD  David DiCecco MD  Judith M Gilmore MD  Daniel Valicenti MD  Coastal Medical  Coastal Medical  Coastal Medical  John Cece MD  Knightsville Internal Medicine  Knightsville Internal Medicine  Edgewood Medical  Joseph A DiLorenzo MD Warwick, Rhode IslandUpcoming Local Events2012-06-16
2012-06-27
2012-07-03
2012-07-14
2012-07-15
2012-09-03
2012-09-23
2012-09-23
2012-10-13
2012-11-11
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 Warwick
Nearby Warwick Hospitals *Kent Hospital Eleanor Slater Hospital Pastore Center Southern New England Rehabilitation Center St Joseph Health Services Bradley Hospital Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island Hasbro Children's Hospital Rhode Island Hospital Providence VA Medical Center Roger Williams Medical Center Butler Hospital Our Lady of Fatima Hospital The Miriam Hospital Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island Saint Anne's Hospital Newport Hospital Charlton Memorial Hospital Arbour-Fuller Hospital South County Hospital Sturdy Memorial Hospital Rehabilitation Hospital of Rhode Island Landmark Medical Center Taunton State Hospital Morton Hospital & Medical Center Eleanor Slater Hospital Zambarano Unit New Bedford Rehabilitation Hospital Day Kimball Hospital St Luke's Hospital The Westerly Hospital Milford Regional Medical Center Hubbard Regional Hospital Boston VA Healthcare System Brockton Kindred Specialty Hospital Stoughton William W Backus Hospital Caritas Good Samaritan Medical Center Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
Suggested Reading on Hyperkalemia (High Blood Potassium) by Our Doctors
-
Related Diseases & Conditions
8 articles-
Burns (First Aid)
- Burns are categorized by severity as first, second, or third degree. First degree burns are similar to a painful sunburn. The damage is more severe with second degree burns, leading to blistering and more intense pain. The skin turns white and loses sensation with third degree burns. Burn treatment depends upon the location, total burn area, and intensity of the burn.
-
Diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2)
- Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition characterized by high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. The two types of diabetes are referred to as type 1 (insulin dependent) and type 2 (non-insulin dependent). Symptoms of diabetes include increased urine output, thirst, hunger, and fatigue. Treatment of diabetes depends on the type.
-
Addison's Disease
- Addison disease is a hormonal (endocrine) disorder involving destruction of the adrenal glands (small glands adjacent to the kidneys). Diseased glands can no longer produce sufficient adrenal hormones (specifically cortisol) necessary for normal daily body functions. Symptoms include weight loss, muscle weakness, fatigue, low blood pressure, and sometimes darkening of the skin. Treatment of Addison disease involves replacing, or substituting, the hormones that the adrenal glands are not making.
-
Kidney Failure
- Kidney failure can occur from an acute event or a chronic condition or disease. Prerenal kidney failure is caused by blood loss, dehydration, medication. Some of the renal causes of kidney failure are from sepsis, medications, rhabdomyolysis, multiple myeloma, and acute glomerulonephritis. Post renal causes of kidney failure include bladder obstruction, prostate problems, tumors, or kidney stones. Treatment options included diet, medications, or dialysis.
-
Hypertensive Kidney Disease
- High blood pressure can damage the kidneys and is one of the leading causes of kidney failure (end-stage renal kidney disease). Kidney damage, like hypertension, can be unnoticeable and detected only through medical tests. If you have kidney disease, you should control your blood pressure. Other treatment options include prescription medications.
-
Arrhythmia
- An arrhythmia is an abnormal heart rhythm. With an arrhythmia, the heartbeats may be irregular or too slow (bradycardia), to rapid (tachycardia), or too early. When a single heartbeat occurs earlier than normal, it is called a prmature contraction.
-
Low Potassium (Hypokalemia)
- Potassium is an essential electrolyte necessary for cell function. Low potassium (hypokalemia) may be caused by diarrhea, vomiting, ileostomy, colon polyps, laxative use, diuretics, elevated corticosteroid levels, renal artery stenosis, and renal tubular acidosis, or other medications. Symptoms of low potassium include weakness, aches, and cramps of the muscles. Treatment is dependant upon the cause of the low potassium (hypokalemia).
-
Rhabdomyolysis
- Rhabdomyolysis is a rapid deterioration and destruction of skeletal muscle. Some of the causes of rhabdomyolysis include severe burns, muscle trauma, coma, seizures, electrolyte imbalance, medications (statins), viruses, bacteria. Treatment of rhabdomyolysis depends on the cause.
-
Burns (First Aid)
-
Medications
4 articles -
Procedures & Tests
1 articles -
Pictures, Images & Quizzes
1 articles -
Doctor's & Expert's Views
1 articles -
Health News
1 articles -
Health Features
0 articles
