Hyperkalemia Center - Wilmington, NCWilmington 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 Wilmington * Senior Health Center  Hanover Medical Group PA  Hanover Medical Group PA  Hanover Medical Group PA  William D Kassens Jr. MD  Hanover Medical Group PA  Wilmington Primary Care  Coastal Internal Medicine  Coastal Internal Medicine  Coastal Internal Medicine  Boyan A Georgiev MD  Grace N Gramley MD  James E Wortman MD  Wilmington Health Assoc  Wilmington Health Assoc  Wilmington Health Associates  Wilmington Health Associates  New Hanover Regional Medical Center  Wilmington Health Association  Wilmington Health Association  Hanover Medical Specialists PA  Wilmington Health Assoc  Wilmington Health Assoc  Wilmington Health Assoc  Wilmington Internal Medicine Dept  Wilmington Internal Medicine Dept  Wilmington Internal Medicine Dept  Lower Cape Fear Hospice & Life Care Center  Coastal Family Practice & Internal Medicine  Wilmington VA  James G Joachim MD  Southeastern Medical Group  Southeastern Medical Group  Center for Integrated Health Care  Intracoastal Internal Medicine  Ami S Patel MD  Alicja Rafakowski MD  Carolina Coast Family Medicine  Raja G Bhat MD  Dale W Caughey Jr. MD  Gerald L Points II MD  New Hanover Medical Group  New Hanover Medical Group  New Hanover Medical Group  New Hanover Medical Group  Regina M Jensen MD  New Hanover Medical Group  Wilmington Health Family Medicine  Marsha D Fretwell MD  Rocky Point Medical Center  Southport Internal Medicine  James B Adams MD  Emergency Department  Howe Street Internal Medicine  Howe Street Internal Medicine  Andre Minor MD  Michael G Rallis MD  Brajendra P Singh MD  Michael Caveness MD  Brunswick Primary Care  Atlantic Internal Medicine PA  Atlantic Internal Medicine PA  Brunswick Cardiology PC  Holly Ridge Medical Center  Daniel M Ricci MD  Wallace Urgent Care  Shallotte Medical Center  Maple Hill Medical Center  Seaside Internal Medicine  South Brunswick Medical Center  Calabash Internal Medicine  Corazon Ngo MD  Columbus Internal Medicine  Richard C Fleming MD  David Martin MD  John F Munroe MD  Whiteville Medical Associates  Baduvanda Changappa MD  Family Urgent Care  Bladen Medical Associates  Bladen Medical Associates  Jose I Ros MD  Signet Healthcare Inc  Andre K Tse MD  Adnan Taj-Eldin MD  Internal Medicine & Primary Care  Wesley W Murfin MD  Southern Winds Medical Center Internal Medicine  Omni Clinic  E Carolina Medical Associates  Bruce A Phillips Jr. MD  Sampson Regional Hospitalist Program  Kimberly Grigsby-Sessom Medical  Sampson Regional Hospitalist Program  Sampson Regional Hospitalist Program  Sampson Regional Hospitalist Program  Paul E Viser MD  John D Beaver MD  Goshen Medical Center Inc  Powell Medical Clinic Wilmington, North CarolinaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-16
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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 Wilmington
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