Hyperkalemia Center - Westfield, MAWestfield 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 Westfield * Abdul Khadra MD  Reda H Ishak MD  Franklyn H Carrington MD PC  Family Medicine Associates  Family Medicine Associates  Westside Medical Associates  Total Womens Health Care Inc  Westside Medical Associates  Westside Medical Associates  Westside Medical Associates  RiverBend Medical Group  RiverBend Medical Group  RiverBend Medical Group  RiverBend Medical Group  Harrison D Willcutts MD  Hampden County Physician Associates LLC  Hampden County Physician Associates LLC  Brightwood Health Center  Brightwood Health Center  Brightwood Health Center  Brightwood Health Center  Brightwood Health Center  Brightwood Health Center  Brightwood Health Center  Brightwood Health Center  Hampden County Physician Associates LLC  Chestnut Medical Associates Inc  Chestnut Medical Associates Inc  Chestnut Medical Associates Inc  Hampden County Physician Associates LLC  Hampden County Physician Associates LLC  Chestnut Medical Associates Inc  Western Mass Medical Group PC  Hampden County Physician Associates LLC  Hampden County Physician Associates LLC  Hampden County Physician Associates LLC  Western Mass Medical Group PC  Valley Medical Associates  Valley Medical Associates  Valley Medical Associates  Valley Medical Associates  BMP Northern Edge Adult Medicine  BMP Northern Edge Adult Medicine  BMP Northern Edge Adult Medicine  BMP Northern Edge Adult Medicine  Drs Murray & Glynn MD PC  Springfield Medical Associates  Springfield Medical Associates  Springfield Medical Associates  Primary Care Associates LLC  Springfield Medical Associates  Primary Care Associates LLC  Springfield Medical Associates  Purnima Adlakha MD  Robert Byrne MD  Claudia L Koppelman MD  Northgate Medical PC  Hampden County Physician Associates LLC  Hampden County Physician Associates LLC  Hampden County Physician Associates LLC  Hampden County Physician Associates LLC  Northgate Medical PC  Hampden County Physician Associates LLC  Springfield Family Practice  Sun-Tein Lin MD  Hampden County Physician Associates LLC  Hampden County Physician Associates LLC  Clifford I Prestia MD  Hampden County Physician Associates LLC  Hampden County Physician Associates LLC  Hampden County Physician Associates LLC  Northgate Medical PC  Endocrine Associates of Western Massachusetts PC  Endocrine Associates of Western Massachusetts PC  Pioneer Valley Weight Loss Center  Hampden County Physician Associates LLC  Endocrine Associates of Western Massachusetts PC  Mercy Internal Medicine Service  Mercy Internal Medicine Service  RS Cardiology & Internal Medicine  Dr James Haines & Dr William Belcastro  A F Calvanese MD PC  Mercy Internal Medicine Service  Mercy Internal Medicine Service  Daniel Dress MD  Mercy Internal Medicine Service  Mercy Internal Medicine Service  Mercy Internal Medicine Service  Valley Pulmonary & Medical Associates  Mercy Internal Medicine Service  Dr James Haines & Dr William Belcastro  Cardiology & Internal Medicine  Mercy Medical Center ICU/CCU  Mercy Internal Medicine Service  Cardiology & Internal Medicine  Mercy Internal Medicine Service  Cardiology & Internal Medicine  Mercy Internal Medicine Service  Valley Pulmonary & Medical Associates  Valley Pulmonary & Medical Associates Westfield, MassachusettsUpcoming Local Events2012-06-03
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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 Westfield
Nearby Westfield Hospitals *Western Massachusetts Hospital Baystate Medical Center Mercy Medical Center Weldon Rehabilitation Hospital Shriners Hospital for Children Noble Hospital Providence Hospital Kindred Hospital Park View Holyoke Medical Center HEALTHSOUTH Rehabilitation Hospital of Western Massachusetts Cooley Dickinson Hospital Northampton VA Medical Center Wing Memorial Hospital & Medical Center Johnson Memorial Hospital Rockville General Hospital St Francis Care Hospital Mount Sinai Campus The Hospital at Hebrew Healthcare Mount Sinai Rehabilitation Hospital St Francis Hospital & Medical Center Manchester Memorial Hospital Baystate Mary Lane Hospital Hungerford Emergency & Medical Care Connecticut Children's Medical Center Hartford Hospital Institute of Living Hartford Hospital University of Connecticut Health Center John Dempsey VA Connecticut Healthcare System Newington Campus Cedarcrest Hospital Hospital for Special Care The Hospital of Central Connecticut New Britain Campus Veterans Home & Hospital Rocky Hill Harrington Memorial Hospital Charlotte Hungerford Hospital Bristol Hospital Franklin 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. |
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