Hyperkalemia Center - Escondido, CAEscondido 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 Escondido * Graybill Medical Group Inc  Alberto Chavira MD  Graybill Medical Group Inc  Graybill Medical Group Inc  Graybill Medical Group Inc  Graybill Medical Group Inc  Graybill Medical Group Inc  Escondido Internal Medicine  Escondido Hospitalist Group  Escondido Hospitalist Group  Escondido Hospitalist Group  Escondido Hospitalist Group  Escondido Hospitalist Group  Escondido Internal Medicine  Escondido Internal Medicine  Escondido Hospitalist Group  Escondido Hospitalist Group  Elizabeth Hospice  Neighborhood Healthcare  Neighborhood Healthcare  G Douglas Moir MD Inc  Centro Medico De Valle  San Diego Pacific Oncology & Hematology Associates  San Diego Pacific Oncology & Hematology Associates  North County Health Services  North County Health Services  North County Health Services  Medicine in Motion  Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Center Rancho Bernard  Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Center Rancho Bernard  Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Center Rancho Bernard  Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Center Rancho Bernard  Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Center Rancho Bernard  Kathy Clewell MD  Marcelo Rivera MD  Center For Health Care  Center For Health Care  North County Internists  Center For Health Care  North County Internists  San Diego Arthritis Medical Clinic  North County Internists  Center For Health Care  Center For Health Care  North County Internists  Center For Health Care  Elizabeth Salada MD  North County Internists  Escondido Cardiology Associates  Jill S Cottel MD  Scripps Clinic Multispecialties  Scripps Clinic Multispecialties  Scripps Clinic Multispecialties  Scripps Clinic Multispecialties  Scripps Clinic Multispecialties  Scripps Clinic Multispecialties  Scripps Clinic Multispecialties  Scripps Clinic Multispecialties  Scripps Clinic Rancho Bernardo  Scripps Coastal Medical Group  Sharp Mission Park  Scripps Coastal Medical Group  Scripps Coastal Medical Group  Charles E Graham MD  George Groth IV MD  Vista Community Clinic  Quality Care Medical Center  Keven Tagdiri MD  Indian Health Council Inc  Travelers Immunization Center  Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group Scripps Ranch  Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group Scripps Ranch  Bruce J Sachs MD  Andre R Sanschagrin MD  Jorge Carrera MD  Sharp Mission Park Family Practice  Access Medical Center  Access Medical Center  Warren Pleskow MD  North Coast Internal Medicine  William J Ackerman MD  Wendy A Shumate MD  Irving Bloom MD  Cassidy Internal Medical Group  Cassidy Internal Medical Group  Hai M Le MD  Sharp Mission Park Medical Clinic  Scripps  Rashad Ansari MD  North County Internal Medicine  North County Internal Medicine  North County Internal Medicine  North County Internal Medicine  North County Internal Medicine  Ryan W Stewart MD  North County Internal Medicine  North County Internal Medicine  Kaveh Farhoomand MD  Robert A Reiss MD  Rancho Sierra Medical Group Escondido, 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 Escondido
Nearby Escondido Hospitals *Palomar Medical Center Pomerado Hospital Aurora Behavioral Healthcare Encinitas Nursing & Rehabilitation Tri-City Medical Center Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas Scripps Green Hospital VA San Diego Health Care System Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla UCSD Thornton Hospital Fallbrook Hospital La Jolla Nursing & Rehabilitation Center Sharp Memorial Hospital Kaiser Permanente San Diego Medical Center Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women Rady Children's Hospital San Diego Sharp Mesa Vista Hospital Alvarado Hospital San Diego Rehabilitation Institute Sharp Grossmont Hospital Kindred Hospital San Diego San Diego Hospice Promise Hospital of San Diego Scripps Mercy Hospital UCSD Medical Center Hillcrest Vibra Hospital of San Diego San Diego County Psychiatric Hospital Naval Medical Center San Diego Sharp Coronado Hospital Paradise Valley Hospital Rancho Springs Medical Center Inland Valley Medical Center Scripps Mercy Hospital Chula Vista Bayview Behavioral Health Campus Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center 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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