Hyperkalemia Center - Wheaton, ILWheaton 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 Wheaton * Homecare Physicians  Dupage Medical Group Wheaton  Dupage Medical Group Wheaton  Nausheen Hasan MD  DuPage Internal Medicine  DuPage Internal Medicine  DuPage Internal Medicine  DuPage Internal Medicine  DuPage Internal Medicine  Wheaton Internal Medicine  Wheaton Internal Medicine  Central DuPage Physicians Group  Scott J Kolbaba MD  Central DuPage Physicians Group  Central DuPage Physicians Group  Central DuPage Physicians Group  Loyola Wheaton Primary Care  DuPage Medical Group Adult Medicine at Glen Ellyn  DuPage Medical Group Adult Medicine at Glen Ellyn  DuPage Medical Group Adult Medicine at Glen Ellyn  DuPage Medical Group Adult Medicine at Glen Ellyn  DuPage Medical Group Adult Medicine at Glen Ellyn  Marzenna M Schoeneich MD  DuPage Medical Group Adult Medicine at Glen Ellyn  Central DuPage Inpatient Physicians  Central DuPage Inpatient Physicians  Gastrointestinal Health Specialists LLC  Central DuPage Inpatient Physicians  A & M Internal Medicine  Dupage Health Specialists  Dupage Health Specialists  Dupage Health Specialists  Constantine Wonais MD  Paul S Menet MD  Stratford Internal Medicine SC  Dupage Medical Group MidWest Internists  Dupage Medical Group MidWest Internists  Dupage Medical Group MidWest Internists  Robert Winiecki MD  Cary J Bortnick MD Ltd  DuPage Medical Group Adult Medicine at Glen Ellyn  Mandeep Kohli MD  DuPage Medical Group Adult Medicine at Glen Ellyn  DuPage Medical Group of Stratford  DuPage Medical Group Adult Medicine at Glen Ellyn  Jason L Weiner MD  Dennis S Asensio MD  Mahrukh Subhani MD  Elmhurst Clinic  Elmhurst Clinic  R Castillo MD & L Ramos-Castillo MD SC  Ravi Tamragouri MD  DuPage Medical Group Lombard  DuPage Medical Group Lombard  DuPage Medical Group Lombard  DuPage Medical Group Lombard  DuPage Medical Group Lombard  DuPage Medical Group Lombard  DuPage Medical Group Lombard  DuPage Medical Group Lombard  DuPage Medical Group Lombard  Westside Medical Associates LTD  Integrative Pain Medicine  Westside Medical Associates LTD  Westside Medical Associates LTD  Westside Medical Associates LTD  Westside Medical Associates LTD  Ravi Medical Group  Westside Medical Associates LTD  Westside Medical Associates LTD  Westside Medical Associates LTD  Physicians for Adults Internal Medicine LTD  Zofia Cygan MD  Physicians for Adults Internal Medicine LTD  Naperville Internists  Naperville Internists  Rajammal Srinivasan MD  Carol R Weinberg MD  Dupage Medical Group Internal Medicine  Advanced Heart & Health Care  Dupage Medical Group Internal Medicine  Harold Jaimes MD  Cicily Jones MD  Dupage Medical Group Internal Medicine  Dupage Medical Group Internal Medicine  Dupage Medical Group Internal Medicine  Dupage Medical Group Internal Medicine  Dupage Medical Group Internal Medicine  River North Convenient Care  Midwest Infectious Diseases  Edward Hospitalists  Naperville Family Practice  Central DuPage Physician Group  Downers Grove Internists  Downers Grove Internists  Central DuPage Physician Group  Kee D Shin MD  Downers Grove Internists  Spaulding Internal Medicine  Nephrology Associates Wheaton, IllinoisUpcoming Local Events2012-06-09
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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 Wheaton
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