Hyperkalemia Center - Youngstown, OHYoungstown 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 Youngstown * St Elizabeth Health Center Internal Medicine  St Elizabeth Health Center Internal Medicine  Charles E Wilkins MD  Aron Blecher MD  Kathie A Nelson MD  Rekha Padubidri MD Inc  Fred R Pruitt MD  Primary Care Associates  Primary Care Associates  Primary Care Associates  The Kidney Group Inc  The Kidney Group Inc  The Kidney Group Inc  The Kidney Group Inc  The Kidney Group Inc  The Kidney Group Inc  The Kidney Group Inc  The Kidney Group Inc  Advanced Neurology  The Kidney Group Inc  Kenneth Cowens MD  Primary Health Care Associates  James E Toliver Jr. MD  Forum Health Northside Medical Center Internal Medicine  P Y Solanki MD Inc  Robert G Spratt MD Inc  Tejdeep Singh MD  Drs El-Hayek & Mendez  Drs El-Hayek & Mendez  Meridian Services Inc  Keith L Henson DO  Foundation Health Care Inc  Ned A Underwood DO Inc  Drs Koval & Miller  Drs Koval & Miller  Trumbull Mahoning Medical Group Inc  Robert H Wetzel Jr. MD  Internal Medicine Assoc  Albert W Buch DO  Visiting Physicians Association  Ohio Sports & Spine Institute Ltd  Joseph Jose MD  Visiting Physicians Association  Health Ridge Medical Center Inc  PRIMA Health Care LLC  PRIMA Health Care LLC  Thomas S Burkert MD  John P Popovec DO  Reema Taneja MD  Ravinder Nath MD Inc  Prabhudas R Lakhani MD FACP  First Medical Associates  Jyotindra P Shah MD  Associates in Nephrology  Theodore R Cubbison DO  Health Care Providers  Associates in Nephrology  St Elizabeth Boardman Health Center Emergency  Joseph F Zeno DO  Thomas A Bailey MD Inc  Devine Kennedy & Shina MD  Austintown Internal Medicine  Devine Kennedy & Shina MD  Necklall Khooblall MD  Barbara M Modic MD  Devine Kennedy & Shina MD  Trumbull Mahoning Medical Group Inc  Trumbull Mahoning Medical Group Inc  Trumbull Mahoning Medical Group Inc  Jon W Arnott MD  Primary Health Care Corp  Douglas A Dunlap MD  IMEX Associates  Yogesh Sheth & Associates  Yogesh Sheth & Associates  Yogesh Sheth & Associates  Family Medical Clinic Inc  St George Medical Practice  Manuel T Ting MD  Christopher C Chuirazzi MD  Medical Associates of Warren Inc  Trumbull Internal Medicine Inc  Michael T. Snitzer MD  John D Vance MD  David L D'Amore MD  Warren Medical Group Inc  Warren Medical Group Inc  Ranjit K Khanuja MD  Ashok Kumar MD  Paul M Rosman DO  Nicola D Demacopoulos MD  Jagdish H Patel MD & Vijay S Kumar MD  James H Kondolios MD  David L Anstadt MD  Robert E Bisel DO & Gretchen Nickell DO  Robert E Bisel DO & Gretchen Nickell DO  Vijay B Behari MD  Zulfikar S Mangalji MD  Mona Youssef MD  K N Amirthalingam MD Youngstown, OhioUpcoming Local Events2012-06-02
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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 Youngstown
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