Hyperkalemia Center - Ontario, CAOntario 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 Ontario * Inland Rheumatology Medical Group  Chuang T Hung MD  Sudhir K Reddy MD  Jeannette Benjamin MD  Jonardi I Handoko MD  Bhupal Kommineni MD FACP  Mohamed S Ali MD  Robert J Kirschbaum MD  Robert J Kirschbaum MD  Mukesh S Amin & Tejinder Singh MD  Central Medical Clinic  Vinod C Patwardhan MD  Mukesh S Amin & Tejinder Singh MD  Jalal Badday MD  Inland Cardiology  Ghassan E Hadi MD  Asoka Jayaweera MD  Susan C Biegel MD  Drs Chai, Dauwalder & Phan  Inland Pulmonary Medical Group  Yousef Dehghani MD  Inland Pulmonary Medical Group  Internal Medicine  Hedy Loa MD  Drs Chai, Dauwalder & Phan  Chino Medical Group  David E Engelhardt MD  Chino Medical Group  Altaf Ali MD  Gerardo M General MD  Parveen Virani MD  Henry Chen MD  Mao Jin Fu MD  Drs Saca and Colomer  Ali M Etemadian DO  Leena Sheth MD  Chaparral Medical Group  Chaparral Medical Group  Haven Family Medical Center  Carlos Vigil MD  Harvey D Cohen MD  Claremont Medical Center  Chaparell Medical Group  Chaparell Medical Group  Chaparral Medical Group Inc  K D Ahn MD  Vinod K Dhawan MD  Victor Pappoe MD  New Hope Cancer and Research Institute  Kenneth Brown MD  Michael D Choi MD  Chaparral Medical Group Inc  Sudhakar Kona MD  Chu Le DO  Chaparral Medical Group Inc  Chaparral Medical Group Inc  Chaparral Medical Group Inc  Chaparral Medical Group Inc  Chaparral Medical Group Inc  Chaparral Medical Group Inc  Chaparral Medical Group Inc  Subhash C Varshney MD  Stefanus Muljana Inc  Samir Anabi MD  Garg & Reddy MDs  Primary Hospital Group  Primary Hospital Group  Herman M Geller MD  Bao C Tran MD  Arnold I Roth MD  Goodfaith Family Medical Group  Allergy & Asthma Center of Inland Empire  La Verne Medical Group  La Verne Medical Group  La Verne Medical Group  La Verne Medical Group  La Verne Medical Group  La Verne Medical Group  Southridge Medical Center  Baseline Medical Group  Diamond Bar Cardiovascular  Philip Wunder DO  San Dimas Family Care  Yuhhuey Wang MD  Yuhhuey Wang MD  Healthcare Partner Glendora Office  HealthCare Partners Medical Group Fair Oaks  Healthcare Partner Glendora Office  Healthcare Partner Glendora Office  Healthcare Partner Glendora Office  HealthCare Partners Medical Group Fair Oaks  Zuhair O Yahya MD  Mowbray P Hagan MD Inc  Jasmine K Leong MD  Riverside Medical Clinic  Riverside Medical Clinic  Riverside Medical Clinic  Mahesh C Gupta & Narakanti N Rao MDs  Mahesh C Gupta & Narakanti N Rao MDs  Hoi Y Cheung MD Ontario, CaliforniaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-09
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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 Ontario
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