Hyperkalemia Center - El Centro, CAEl Centro 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 El Centro * Abdelnur & Rocamora MDs  Family Care Medical Group  Sol Reisin MD  Mahomed Suliman MD  Mohammed Al-Jasim MD  Kidney Medical Associates  Prabhdeep Singh MD  George J Maloof Jr. MD  Vachaspathi Palakodeti MD  Ramon Rodriguez MD  Lorenzo Munoz MD  Borrego Medical Center  Borrego Medical Center  Mustaqeem A Qazi MD  Javed Ahmad MD  Assad Darawal MD  Badri N Nath MD  Badri N Nath MD  Valley Comprehensive Medical Grp  Kishor Vachhani MD  Hyun M Cho MD  Ronald Bush MD  Richard G Byrd MD  Hugo A Gonzalez MD  Herr Kostic Medical Group  Desert Oasis Healthcare  Herr Kostic Medical Group  Total Health Medical of the Desert  Palm Desert Urgent Care  Peter Lipton MD  Reynolds Medical Corporation  Robert F Steinberg MD  Celeste L Amaya MD  Jitka Civrna MD  Adolfo M Paglinawan MD  Gloria R Engel MD  Carlos A Lopez MD  V Y Mabry-Height MD  Lynne M Messner MD  Sycuan Medical and Dental Center  Desert Pain Care  John Prekezes MD & Aneta Stirling MD  John Prekezes MD & Aneta Stirling MD  Stellar Medical Management  Platt Medical Center  Eisenhower Medical Center  Mohamad K Alnabelsi MD  Mary A Howell MD  Dr Alan Kiselstein  Ravinderpal Mann MD  Desert Cardiology Center  Robert B Waterbor MD  Mirage Medical Group  Syed F Azam Medical Associates Inc  Romona Healthcare  Syed F Azam Medical Associates Inc  Romona Healthcare  Marcelo Rivera MD  Family Medical Clinic  Drs Thompson Unger & Cadman  Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group El Cajon  Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group El Cajon  Henry Samtoy MD  Neighborhood Healthcare  Neighborhood Healthcare  Scripps Clinic Rancho San Diego  Scripps Clinic Rancho San Diego  Scripps Clinic Rancho San Diego  Paul E VerHoeve MD  Centro Medico Latino  Paul W Doherty MD  Desert Oasis Healthcare  Desert Oasis Healthcare  Desert Oasis Healthcare  Vinita E Verghese MD  Scripps Mercy Medical Group Bonita  Scripps Mercy Medical Group Bonita  Southbay Pulmonary Medical Group  Southbay Pulmonary Medical Group  Southbay Pulmonary Medical Group  Francisco Martinez MD  Family Health Centers of San Diego  Caring Physicians Medical Group Inc  Noah C Johnson MD & Brij Gupta MD  Desert Aids Project  Biofit Fitness Medicine  W Lynn Cooper MD  Rupinder Mann MD  Pacific Sleep Medicine Services/Avastra  Kenneth C Russ MD  Omni Family Medical Group  Shehryar Mahmood MD  Omni Family Medical Group  Steven E Frank MD  Jorge G Gutierrez MD FACP  Desert Primary Care  Desert Primary Care  Hugh Nasr MD  R Seenu Reddy MD  Desert Primary Care El Centro, CaliforniaUpcoming Local EventsNo Upcoming Events 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 El Centro
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