Hyperkalemia Center - Waterloo, IAWaterloo 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 Waterloo * People's Community Health Clinic  Muhammad A Pathan MD  People's Community Health Clinic  People's Community Health Clinic  Waterloo Internal Medicine  Waterloo Internal Medicine  Nagarath Nadipuram MD  Covenant Clinic Waterloo  Covenant Clinic Waterloo  Covenant Clinic Waterloo  Robert Grittmann DO  Internal Medicine of Waterloo  United Medical Park  Hematology & Oncology Center  Waterloo VA Clinic  Waterloo VA Clinic  Waterloo VA Clinic  Covenant Health Clinic Cedar Falls  Covenant Health Clinic Cedar Falls  Covenant Health Clinic Cedar Falls  Covenant Health Clinic Cedar Falls  Cedar Falls Primary Care  PAMC Medical Center  The Winthrop Medical Clinic  MMSC Clinic Marshalltown  MMSC Clinic Marshalltown  MMSC Clinic Marshalltown  McFarland Clinic Adult Medicine  McFarland Clinic PC  Iowa Veterans Home  Family Medical Clinic  Linn Community Care  Iowa Health Physicians Internal Medicine  Iowa Blood & Cancer Care PLC  Internists PC  Iowa Health Physicians Internal Medicine  Iowa Health Physicians Internal Medicine  Iowa Health Physicians Internal Medicine  Iowa Health Physicians Internal Medicine  St Luke's Hospital  St Luke's Hospital  Richard Pope MD  Holly Brown MD  Community Health Free Clinic  Community Health Free Clinic  Community Health Free Clinic  Community Health Free Clinic  Community Health Free Clinic  Mercy Services Williamsburg  Postville Medical Clinic  Winneshiek Decorah Clinic  Winneshiek Decorah Clinic  Mercy Family Clinic Regency  Family Care Center  Gregory Bozek MD  Accelerated Rehabilitation Center  Mercy Internal Medicine  Mercy Health Center  Mercy Internal Medicine  Mercy Internal Medicine  Mercy Health Center  Mercy Internal Medicine  Mercy Internal Medicine  Coralville VA Outpatient Clinic  Coralville VA Outpatient Clinic  Coralville VA Outpatient Clinic  Coralville VA Outpatient Clinic  University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics Internal Medicine  Family Care Internal Medicine Clinic  Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center  John S Chase MD  University of Iowa Health Care  Bradley S Dixon MD  Center for Digestive Diseases  University of Iowa Hospital & Clinics Cardiology  University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics Internal Medicine  Family Care Internal Medicine Clinic  UI Student Health Service  Louis V Kirchhoff MD  Allyn L Mark MD  Jennifer Robinson MD  Susan L Roeder DO  University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics Internal Medicine  Janet Schlechte MD  University of IA Hospitals & Clinics  Jonathan S Simmons DO  UI Student Health Service  University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics Internal Medicine  University of Iowa Hospital & Clinics Cardiology  University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics Internal Medicine  VA Medical Center  VA Medical Center  VA Medical Center  Mercy Hospital Iowa City  Mercy Hospital Radiology  Town Crest Internal Medicine  Town Crest Internal Medicine  Town Crest Internal Medicine  Town Crest Internal Medicine  Town Crest Internal Medicine Waterloo, IowaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-17
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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 Waterloo
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