Hyperkalemia Center - Woonsocket, RIWoonsocket 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 Woonsocket * Greigstone Yearwood MD  Greigstone Yearwood MD  Thundermist Health Center  Thundermist Health Center  Thundermist Health Center  Rhode Island Medicine  Roland J Desmarais MD  Alberto V Erfe MD  Nikhil & Sripathi Karanth MDs  Ocean Medical Practice  Landmark Senior Health Care  Rhode Island Medicine  NRI Medical Services  Zaheer A Shah MD  Ronald A Romano DO  Rehabilitation Hospital of Rhode Island  Steven B Kirschner MD  Angelo B Pharmakidis MD PhD  Physicians of RI Medical Enterprises Inc  Stanley R Balon MD  Michaela Iovanel MD  Samir H Makarious MD  Lincoln Primary Care  Janice M Kizirian MD  Lincoln Urgent Care  Allergy & Asthma Physicians of Rhode Island  Anchor Medical Associates Internal Medicine  Anchor Medical Associates Internal Medicine  Coastal Medical Inc  Anchor Medical Associates Internal Medicine  University Medical Group  Anchor Medical Associates Internal Medicine  University Medical Group  Ocean State Health Care Clinics  Rajeev Gupta MD  Primary Care RI  Ocean State Health Care Clinics  Ocean State Health Care Clinics  Linda A DeLuca MD  Michelle VanNieuwenhuize MD  Michelle VanNieuwenhuize MD  Family Internal Medicine  Drs Corsi & Fraioli  Drs Corsi & Fraioli  Family Treatment Center  Coastal Medical Inc  Coastal Medical Inc  Coastal Medical Inc  Coastal Medical Inc  Coastal Medical Inc  Roger Williams Senior Healthcare Associates  Michael E Klufas MD  Anthony G Farina Jr. MD  Amir Alizadeh MD  Medical Group of Rhode Island Inc  North Providence Medical Services  Mineral Spring Primary Care  Mineral Spring Primary Care  Mineral Spring Primary Care  Mineral Spring Primary Care  Betsy L Moody MD  Claude E Younes MD  Cardiology & Internal Medicine Associates of Rhode Island Inc  Cardiology & Internal Medicine Associates of Rhode Island Inc  Cardiology & Internal Medicine Associates of Rhode Island Inc  Andrzej J Stankiewicz MD  Internal Medicine Endocrinology Inc  Internal Medicine Endocrinology Inc  Denis E Moonan MD Inc  Robert A Paolella MD  Fadi Mansourati MD  Gilbert J Altongy MD  Blackstone Valley Community Health Care  Blackstone Valley Community Health Care  Yalakki Gowda MD  Anne Cushing-Brescia MD  Elaine B Fain MD  Phillip H Robzyk MD  Vito A Longobardi MD  Atmed Treatment Center Inc  Coastal Medical Inc  Angelo DiCenso MD  Drs Savoretti & Ferri  Drs Savoretti & Ferri  Drs Savoretti & Ferri  Drs Savoretti & Ferri  Atmed Primary Care Inc  Coastal Medical Inc  Primary Care Medical Associates Inc  University Medical Group  University Medical Group  University Medical Group  University Internal Medicine Inc  University Internal Medicine Inc  University Internal Medicine Inc  University Internal Medicine Inc  University Internal Medicine Inc  University Internal Medicine Inc  Nardone Medical Associates Inc  Kim S Amin MD Woonsocket, Rhode IslandUpcoming 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 Woonsocket
Nearby Woonsocket Hospitals *Landmark Medical Center Rehabilitation Hospital of Rhode Island Milford Regional Medical Center Arbour-Fuller Hospital Our Lady of Fatima Hospital Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island The Miriam Hospital Providence VA Medical Center Roger Williams Medical Center Butler Hospital Eleanor Slater Hospital Zambarano Unit Sturdy Memorial Hospital Hasbro Children's Hospital Rhode Island Hospital Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island Southern New England Rehabilitation Center St Joseph Health Services Bradley Hospital Hubbard Regional Hospital Eleanor Slater Hospital Pastore Center Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital Westborough MetroWest Medical Center Framingham Union Hospital Caritas Norwood Hospital Westwood Lodge Hospital Kent Hospital Westborough State Hospital Kindred Specialty Hospital Natick MetroWest Medical Center Leonard Morse Hospital Day Kimball Hospital Taunton State Hospital Morton Hospital & Medical Center UMass Memorial Medical Center University Campus Worcester State Hospital Kindred Specialty Hospital Stoughton St Vincent Hospital at Worcester Medical Center Massachusetts Hospital School New England Sinai Hospital & Rehabilitation Center UMass Memorial Medical Center Memorial Campus Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital Needham Adcare Hospital of Worcester Boston VA Healthcare System Brockton Caritas Good Samaritan Medical Center Fairlawn Rehabilitation Hospital UMass Memorial Marlborough Hospital VA Boston Healthcare System West Roxbury Campus Newton Wellesley Hospital Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital Bournewood Hospital Charlton Memorial Hospital Harrington Memorial Hospital Saint Anne's Hospital Milton Hospital Hebrew Rehabilitation Center for the Aged Kindred Specialty Hospital Braintree Faulkner Hospital Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital Lemuel Shattuck Hospital Massachusetts Mental Health Center Arbour Hospital Caritas Carney Hospital Caritas St Elizabeth's Medical Center Franciscan Hospital for Children Kindred Hospital Boston VA Boston Healthcare System Jamaica Plain Campus New England Baptist Hospital Quincy Medical Center Radius Specialty Hospital Boston UMass Memorial Clinton Hospital Brigham & Women's Hospital South Shore Hospital Dana Farber Cancer Institute Children's Hospital Boston Arbour HRI Hospital Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center McLean Hospital 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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