Hyperkalemia Center - Gilroy, CAGilroy 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 Gilroy * German Baldeon MD  Central Coast Nephrology  Central Coast Nephrology  Central Coast Nephrology  Central Coast Nephrology  Richard C Colbert MD  George Green MD  Cheung K Tom Leung MD  Valley Health Center at San Martin  William Brian Joyce MD  Morgan Hill Internal Medicine  Morgan Hill Internal Medicine  Brennan Medical Group  Brennan Medical Group  Clinica Medica Santa Maria  Melissa Z Lopez-Bermejo MD  Melissa Z Lopez-Bermejo MD  Brennan Medical Group  Mar Monte Medical Clinic  Frank L Ravago MD  Frank L Ravago MD  R S Kochi MD  Santa Cruz Nephrology Medical Group  Ann Carroll & Miguel Vasquez MD  Marylou Romo-Gritzewsky MD  Ann Carroll & Miguel Vasquez MD  Santa Cruz Medical Foundation Watsonville  Elias S Rodriguez MD  Bayview Gastroenterology  Mohammad S Al-Hasan MD  Martin M Bress MD  Kenneth Jiang MD  Harden Urgent Care Medical Center  Harden Urgent Care Medical Center  Natividad Medical Center  Laura Solorio MD  Laura Solorio MD  James M Engelman MD  Malathi Charlu MD  Santa Cruz Medical Foundation Aptos  Santa Cruz Medical Foundation Aptos  Santa Cruz Medical Foundation Aptos  Santa Cruz Medical Foundation Aptos  Rita Y Lee MD  Robert J Wlodarczyk DO Inc  Los Palos Medical Associates Inc  Los Palos Medical Associates Inc  Los Palos Medical Associates Inc  Los Palos Medical Associates Inc  Rinderknecht Klein & Taub MD  Los Palos Medical Associates Inc  Los Palos Medical Associates Inc  Los Palos Medical Associates Inc  Central Coast Cardiology  Joseph P Garvin MD  Arthritis Center  Badke Medical & Rehabilitation  Salinas Valley Prime Care Medical Group  Salinas Valley Prime Care Medical Group  Salinas Valley Prime Care Medical Group  Salinas Valley Prime Care Medical Group  Salinas Valley Prime Care Medical Group  Salinas Valley Prime Care Medical Group  Samaritan Medical Care Center  Western Medical Associates  Thang D Tran MD  Clarity Medical Spa  Nga V Pham MD Inc  Donald Y Siao MD  Joseph A Cu MD  Valley Medical Consultants  Chung Vu MD  Hong H Bui MD  Dat T Huynh MD  Thinh Nguyen MD  Christopher N Do MD  Dominican Medical Foundation  Dominican Medical Foundation  Dominican Medical Foundation  Dominican Medical Foundation  US Healthworks Medical Group  Santa Cruz Medical Foundation Soquel Ave  Santa Cruz Medical Foundation Soquel Ave  Santa Cruz Medical Foundation Urgent Care  Santa Cruz Medical Foundation Soquel Ave  Santa Cruz Medical Foundation Soquel Ave  Santa Cruz Medical Foundation Soquel Ave  Santa Cruz Medical Foundation Soquel Ave  Santa Cruz Medical Foundation Soquel Ave  Santa Cruz Medical Foundation Soquel Ave  Shorenstein & Shorenstein MD's  Shorenstein & Shorenstein MD's  Samaritan Internal Medicine  Samaritan Internal Medicine  Cedar Medical Clinic  Paragon Physician Hospitalist Medical Group Inc.  Samaritan Internal Medicine  Paragon Physician Hospitalist Medical Group Inc.  Samaritan Internal Medicine  Paragon Physician Hospitalist Medical Group Inc. Gilroy, CaliforniaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-23
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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 Gilroy
Nearby Gilroy Hospitals *Saint Louise Regional Hospital Watsonville Community Hospital Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital Kaiser Permanente San Jose Medical Center Natividad Medical Center Sutter Maternity & Surgery Center Dominican Hospital Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System Good Samaritan Hospital Mission Oaks Good Samaritan Hospital San Jose El Camino Hospital of Los Gatos Regional Medical Center of San Jose Santa Clara Valley Medical Center O'Connor Hospital Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara Medical Center Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula 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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