Hyperkalemia Center - Washington, DCWashington 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 Washington * Lee Medical Associates PC  Lee Medical Associates PC  Kaiser  Farragut Medical & Travel Care  Capital Medical Associates  Farragut Medical & Travel Care  Capital Medical Associates  Bariatrics Weight Loss Inc  Howard University Physicians Department of Medicine  Howard University Physicians Department of Medicine  Howard University Physicians Department of Medicine  Medical & Acupuncture Clinic  Howard University Physicians  Howard University Physicians  Boisey O Barnes MD  Howard University Physicians  Didace Kabatsi MD  Health Services  Howard University Physicians Internal Medicine  Howard University Physicians  Howard University Physicians Internal Medicine  Howard University Physicians  The Caceres Health Group  Horacio G Schapiro MD  Drs Abrams & Lipson  Washington Internists Group LLC  Eisner Kaufman Chang Horn & Ramey MDs  Washington Occupational Health Associates  Washington Internists Group LLC  Eisner Kaufman Chang Horn & Ramey MDs  Angela L Emmons MD  Washington Internists Group LLC  Kaufman Greenlee & Wheaton MDs  Darcy Hansen MD  Eisner Kaufman Chang Horn & Ramey MDs  Eisner Kaufman Chang Horn & Ramey MDs  Kaufman Greenlee & Wheaton MDs  Washington Internists Group LLC  Drs Abrams & Lipson  Washington Internists Group LLC  Joel M Taubin MD PC  Washington Internists Group LLC  Eisner Kaufman Chang Horn & Ramey MDs  Nada Roche MD  Cesar Rudzki MD  Washington Occupational Health Associates  Kaufman Greenlee & Wheaton MDs  Joel M Taubin MD PC  Kaufman Greenlee & Wheaton MDs  Parker Kline Dunn & Horowitz MDs  Parker Kline Dunn & Horowitz MDs  Metropolitan Gastroenterology Group  Michael R Kletz MD  Parker Kline Dunn & Horowitz MDs  Shepard & Lugerner MDs  Drs Newman Stone & Sherman  Parker Kline Dunn & Horowitz MDs  Michael M Phillips MD  Price Medical  Price Medical  Shepard & Lugerner MDs  Drs Newman Stone & Sherman  Drs Newman Stone & Sherman  GW Medical Faculty Associates  Elliott Aleskow MD  Medical Associates of DC Chartered  Medical Associates of DC Chartered  MFA General Internal Medicine  MFA General Internal Medicine  MFA General Internal Medicine  MFA General Internal Medicine  MFA General Internal Medicine  MFA General Internal Medicine  MFA General Internal Medicine  MFA General Internal Medicine  MFA General Internal Medicine  DiGioia LeFevre & Parker MDs  MFA General Internal Medicine  MFA General Internal Medicine  Joel A Guiterman MD  MFA General Internal Medicine  David H Jacobs MD PC  MFA General Internal Medicine  Kaiser Permanente Medical Center West End  MFA General Internal Medicine  MFA General Internal Medicine  Drs Laukaitis, Lacks, Summer & Koritzinsky  DiGioia LeFevre & Parker MDs  West End Medical Center Internal Medicine  MFA General Internal Medicine  MFA General Internal Medicine  DiGioia LeFevre & Parker MDs  Ashesh D Patel MD PC  GW Medical Faculty Associates  Kaiser West End Medical Center  DiGioia LeFevre & Parker MDs  Medical Associates of DC Chartered  Kaiser Permanente Medical Center West End  MFA General Internal Medicine  MFA General Internal Medicine Washington, District of ColumbiaWashington, D.C. formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, the District, or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States, founded on July 16, 1790. The City of Washington was originally a separate municipality within the Territory of Columbia until an act of Congress in 1871 effectively merged the City and the Territory into a single entity called the District of Columbia. It is for this reason that the city, while legally named the District of Columbia, is known as Washington, D.C. Upcoming 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 Washington
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