Hyperkalemia Center - East Los Angeles, CAEast Los Angeles 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 East Los Angeles * Edward R Roybal Comprehensive Health Center  Juan A Almaguer MD  Kamlesh Dhawan & Vijay Dhawan MDs  Charles Lin MD  Health Care Partners East Los Angeles  Alberto Jimeno MD  Patricia M Alvarado MD  San Mateo Medical Clinic  Chua & Chuang MDs  Jesus Ramirez MD  Coast Medical Clinic  Health Care Partners Monterey Park  Health Care Partners Monterey Park  Carlos R Meza MD  Elite Diagnostic & Medical Group  Thomas Tseng DO  Simon C Solis MD  Ramachandran Srinivasan MD  Cesar A Velez MD  Kenneth L Cohen MD  William Hung MD  Mark Li MD  Juan L Sam MD  Pina Wong MD  Garvey Medical Center  Max Chiou MD  Pacific Nephrology  Chi Lam MD  Garfield Health Center  C N Pang MD  Chin Shun Shih MD  Russell Simpson MD  Wei W Wang MD  Wan Yao MD  Hector Luque & Alejandro Gonzales MDs  Hector Luque & Alejandro Gonzales MDs  Robert Tzeng MD  The Office of Drs Wong & Yu  The Office of Drs Wong & Yu  Dennis Chan MD  Eric C Chang MD  Chia-Chi G Lai MD  Xiang Hong Elise Lin MD  Henry Y Luh MD  Barry Morguelan MD  Jeffrey M Nasir MD PC  Sander Peck MD  Beverly Internal Medicine  Yu Yao MD  USC Internal Medicine  USC Internal Medicine  USC Internal Medicine  Huo Chen MD  USC Internal Medicine  USC Internal Medicine  USC Internal Medicine  USC Internal Medicine  Pen H Lee MD  Shih Lin Lue MD  USC Internal Medicine  USC Internal Medicine  Patrick Paik MD  USC Internal Medicine  USC Internal Medicine  Hirofumi Sohara, MD  Kuan Su MD  USC Internal Medicine  Nora K Tee MD  USC Internal Medicine  Jacqueline C Wong MD  Afshin S Adhami MD  Keivan Golchini MD  Garvey Healthy Family  Summit Central Medical Clinic  John Hernandez MD  Doctors Urgent Care Medico Group  Inter American Medical Group  Shaheen Iqbal MD  B Waraich MD  White Memorial Medical Group  White Memorial Medical Group  White Memorial Medical Group  Victor G Carabello MD  HealthCare Partners Alhambra  Robert W Chan MD  White Memorial Medical Group  Aguilera & Cheng MDs  Marian A Fedak MD  Senior Care Clinic  White Memorial Medical Center Emergency  Loma Linda Cardiology Medical Group  White Memorial Medical Group  Eastern Los Angeles Cardiology Group  Senior Care Clinic  HealthCare Partners Alhambra  Praciado Cardiology Inc  Senior Care Clinic  White Memorial Medical Group  White Memorial Medical Group  Rashad N Wasef MD East Los Angeles, CaliforniaUpcoming Local Events2012-05-28
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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 East Los Angeles
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