Hyperkalemia Center - Merced, CAMerced 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 Merced * Merced County Physicians  Merced County Physicians  Henry M Lam MD  Merced County Physicians  Merla Puray MD  Nicholas R De La Pena MD  Gloria Malabed-Verona MD & Renzto Yuzon MD  Merced Faculty Associates Med Group  Robert Butler MD  Chenn-Yow Fuh MD  Mak Man-Siak MD  Diana J Hylton MD  Madhu K Kris MD  Allergy & Asthma Medical Clinic  Madhu K Kris MD  Merced Medical Clinic  Conrad Castellino MD  Central Valley Nephrology Medical Assoc  Central Valley Nephrology Medical Assoc  Amritpal Pannu MD  Darin Camarena Health Center  Sonora Health Clinic  Arun K Vasudeva  Karen Gaspardi MD  David E Allen MD  Anderson & Regan MDs  Sierra Internal Medicine Center  Hillside Internal Medicine  Sierra Internal Medicine Center  Sierra Internal Medicine Center  Adult Medicine Specialists  Anderson & Regan MDs  Cedarwood Internal Medicine  Sierra Internal Medicine Center  Sierra Internal Medicine Center  Oakhurst Medical Group  Riverside Medical Clinic  Madera Family Medical Group Internal Medicine  Madera Family Medical Group Internal Medicine  Robert Nguyen MD  Madera Family Medical Group Internal Medicine  California Digestive Diseases  Sohaila M Majadaddi MD  Pam K Janda MD  S S Samrao MD  Madera Pulmonary & Sleep Disorders Center  Ronald A Arakelian MD  Mark W Davenport MD  Emanuel Medical Center  Edward B Holm MD  Puliadi Jothikumar MD  Vernon G Park MD  Emanuel Medical Center  Emanuel Medical Center  Tri-City Care Group  Tri-City Care Group  Andres A Arellano MD  Chaitanya N Mahida MD  Chaitanya N Mahida MD  Marcia Sablan MD & Oscar M Sablan MD  Northwest Medical Group  Northwest Medical Group  Northwest Medical Group  Northwest Medical Group  Northwest Medical Group  Kanwar Mahal MD  Douglas Stanley MD  Baz Allergy & Asthma Institute  Juan J Touya MD PhD  Kaiser Permanente Medical Center  Kaiser Permanente Medical Center  The Permanente Medical Group  The Permanente Medical Group  Kaiser Permanente Medical Center  Kaiser Permanente Medical Center  Kaiser Permanente Medical Center  Joelle C O'Neil DO  Joelle C O'Neil DO  Kaiser Permanente Medical Center  Ceres Medical Associates  Ceres Medical Associates  Murray Barry MD  Tsing T Kwok MD  Narala and Madireddy MD Professional Corp.  Narala and Madireddy MD Professional Corp.  Paul Norwood MD FACP  Robert L Lynch II MD  V Reddy Avula MD  Internal Medicine Associates of Fresno  Internal Medicine Associates of Fresno  Internal Medicine Associates of Fresno  Don H Gaede MD  Valley Nephrology Medical Group  Internal Medicine Associates of Fresno  Internal Medicine Associates of Fresno  Internal Medicine Associates of Fresno  Garry Sevel MD  Norman Sigel MD  Leaders in Quality Medical Group  Leaders in Quality Medical Group Merced, CaliforniaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-09
2012-06-17
2012-06-30
2012-07-22
2012-09-08
2012-09-23
2012-10-06
2012-10-13
2012-10-28
2012-11-11
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 Merced
Nearby Merced Hospitals *John C Fremont Healthcare District Mercy Medical Center Merced Chowchilla District Memorial Health District Tuolumne General Hospital Sonora Regional 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. |
Suggested Reading on Hyperkalemia (High Blood Potassium) by Our Doctors
-
Related Diseases & Conditions
8 articles-
Burns (First Aid)
- Burns are categorized by severity as first, second, or third degree. First degree burns are similar to a painful sunburn. The damage is more severe with second degree burns, leading to blistering and more intense pain. The skin turns white and loses sensation with third degree burns. Burn treatment depends upon the location, total burn area, and intensity of the burn.
-
Diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2)
- Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition characterized by high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. The two types of diabetes are referred to as type 1 (insulin dependent) and type 2 (non-insulin dependent). Symptoms of diabetes include increased urine output, thirst, hunger, and fatigue. Treatment of diabetes depends on the type.
-
Addison's Disease
- Addison disease is a hormonal (endocrine) disorder involving destruction of the adrenal glands (small glands adjacent to the kidneys). Diseased glands can no longer produce sufficient adrenal hormones (specifically cortisol) necessary for normal daily body functions. Symptoms include weight loss, muscle weakness, fatigue, low blood pressure, and sometimes darkening of the skin. Treatment of Addison disease involves replacing, or substituting, the hormones that the adrenal glands are not making.
-
Kidney Failure
- Kidney failure can occur from an acute event or a chronic condition or disease. Prerenal kidney failure is caused by blood loss, dehydration, medication. Some of the renal causes of kidney failure are from sepsis, medications, rhabdomyolysis, multiple myeloma, and acute glomerulonephritis. Post renal causes of kidney failure include bladder obstruction, prostate problems, tumors, or kidney stones. Treatment options included diet, medications, or dialysis.
-
Hypertensive Kidney Disease
- High blood pressure can damage the kidneys and is one of the leading causes of kidney failure (end-stage renal kidney disease). Kidney damage, like hypertension, can be unnoticeable and detected only through medical tests. If you have kidney disease, you should control your blood pressure. Other treatment options include prescription medications.
-
Arrhythmia
- An arrhythmia is an abnormal heart rhythm. With an arrhythmia, the heartbeats may be irregular or too slow (bradycardia), to rapid (tachycardia), or too early. When a single heartbeat occurs earlier than normal, it is called a prmature contraction.
-
Low Potassium (Hypokalemia)
- Potassium is an essential electrolyte necessary for cell function. Low potassium (hypokalemia) may be caused by diarrhea, vomiting, ileostomy, colon polyps, laxative use, diuretics, elevated corticosteroid levels, renal artery stenosis, and renal tubular acidosis, or other medications. Symptoms of low potassium include weakness, aches, and cramps of the muscles. Treatment is dependant upon the cause of the low potassium (hypokalemia).
-
Rhabdomyolysis
- Rhabdomyolysis is a rapid deterioration and destruction of skeletal muscle. Some of the causes of rhabdomyolysis include severe burns, muscle trauma, coma, seizures, electrolyte imbalance, medications (statins), viruses, bacteria. Treatment of rhabdomyolysis depends on the cause.
-
Burns (First Aid)
-
Medications
4 articles -
Procedures & Tests
1 articles -
Pictures, Images & Quizzes
1 articles -
Doctor's & Expert's Views
1 articles -
Health News
1 articles -
Health Features
0 articles
