Hyperkalemia Center - Waterford, MIWaterford 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 Waterford * Waterford Internal Medicine & Pediatrics  James A Gibson Jr. MD  NOMC Lakeland Primary Care  NOMC Lakeland Primary Care  Samba Jung MD  Medical PMC  Waterford Family Physicians  Paunel J Grivej MD  Adult & Pediatric Care Center  Adult & Pediatric Care Center  Adult & Pediatric Care Center  Adult & Pediatric Care Center  Adult & Pediatric Care Center  Clarkston Primary Care  Violeta Grivej MD  Violeta Grivej MD  Clarkston Medical Group  Clarkston Medical Group  Clarkston Medical Group  Clarkston Medical Group  Clarkston Clinic  Oakland County Internal Medicine  Oakland County Internal Medicine  Hsiao P Bechinski DO  Tanir Medical Center  Arnold Markowitz MD  Ashok A Gupta MD  Clarkston Internal Medicine PC  Clarkston Internal Medicine PC  Clarkston Internal Medicine PC  North Oakland Medical Center White Lake  Turan Medical Center  Commerce Primary Care  Commerce Primary Care  Robert B Ferguson MD  The Downing Clinic PC  Michael E Stachecki MD  Vahagn Agbabian DO  POH Regional Medical Center  Fadi Salloum MD  POH Regional Medical Center  POH Regional Medical Center  POH Regional Medical Center  Baybrooke Internal Medicine Clinic  Fadi Salloum MD  POH Regional Medical Center  POH Regional Medical Center  Franklin J Rosenblat DO & Andrew W Ambler DO  SJMO Oakland Physicians  Michigan Hematology Oncology  Drs Keskey & Schwartz  SJMO Oakland Physicians  SJMO Oakland Physicians  Franklin J Rosenblat DO & Andrew W Ambler DO  Drs Keskey & Schwartz  Frank A Bagnasco MD  Cardiology & Vascular Associates PC  Lake Internal Medicine  Comprehensive Medical Associates PLLC  Baybrooke Internal Medicine Clinic  Internal Medicine & Primary Care Specialists  Comprehensive Medical Associates PLLC  Lake Internal Medicine  Lake Internal Medicine  Internal Medicine & Primary Care Specialists  Comprehensive Medical Associates PLLC  Lake Internal Medicine  Maple Grove Behavioral Health Center  Drs Markowitz & Li  Drs Markowitz & Li  Maple Grove Behavioral Health Center  Maple Grove Behavioral Health Center  Waseem Alam MD  Bloomfield Internal Medicine  Drs Govila & Govila  Drs Govila & Govila  Imad M Mansour MD  Clarence McRipley Jr. MD  Maple Cardiology & Internal Medicine PLLC  Ahmad M Samhouri MD  Paul M Sullivan MD  Pillay Internal Medicine  Huron Valley Sinai Hospital  Huron Valley Sinai Hospital  Steve Z Kallabat MD & Stacy Wittenberg MD  Faiz Mansour MD  James B Bragman DO & Lawrence Mendelsohn MD  Comprehensive Internists  Comprehensive Internists  James B Bragman DO & Lawrence Mendelsohn MD  Sheila P Meftah MD  Sanford Rautbort MD  Lawrence J Usher DO  Orchard Hills Physicians  North Oakland Internal Medicine  North Oakland Internal Medicine  Steven D Grant MD  Steven D Grant MD  Steven D Grant MD  Passport Health Waterford, MichiganUpcoming Local Events2012-06-10
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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 Waterford
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