Hyperkalemia Center - Orange, CAOrange 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 Orange * Drs Bernhut Fajardo Hryniewicki & Shimazu  Drs Bernhut Fajardo Hryniewicki & Shimazu  Craig J Milhouse MD  Acharya Medical Group  Acharya Medical Group  Robert C Armen MD  Thomas Blair MD  Robert William Buster MD  Catherine Lawson MD  Robert C Armen MD  Mahesh Shah MD  Family Medical Clinic  Ronald N Daoud MD  Mary P Harward MD  Pulmonary Consultants  Ivy-Joan E Madu MD  Pulmonary Consultants  Pulmonary Consultants  Alex V Zand MD  Pulmonary Consultants  Pulmonary Consultants  Edwin Alexander MD  Pulmonary Consultants  Pulmonary Consultants  Pulmonary Consultants  Pulmonary Consultants  Pulmonary Consultants  Pulmonary Consultants  Pulmonary Consultants  Roy Herndon MD  Pulmonary Consultants  Pulmonary Consultants  Pulmonary Consultants  Pulmonary Consultants  Harold Maizel MD  Orange County Heart Institute & Research  Pulmonary Consultants  Pulmonary Consultants  Michael A Malouf MD & Julia Motherway MD  Kusum M Ohri MD  Pulmonary Consultants  Pulmonary Consultants  Pulmonary Consultants  Mark J Rodrigues MD  Pulmonary Consultants  Kusum M Ohri MD  Melvyn L Sterling MD  Pulmonary Consultants  Nephrology Consultants  Nephrology Consultants  Chien Ko Wu & Meei Ling Wu MDs  St Joseph Heritage Medical Group  St Joseph Heritage Medical Group  St Joseph Heritage Medical Group  Associated Gastroenterology Medical Group  Suhasini S Deshmukh MD  Associated Gastroenterology Medical Group  Astra Primary Medical Group  Endocrinology Medical Group Of Orange County  Associated Gastroenterology Medical Group  Fernandez & Attoh MDs  Fernandez & Attoh MDs  Raouf A Kayaleh MD  Dara Saghafi MD  Robert F Bader MD  Michael Fitzgibbons MD  H T Rana MD  Cornerstone of Southern CA  Jada M Ma MD  Editha B Uy MD  Jane D Curtis MD Inc  Noel E Johanson MD  UCI Medical Center Internal Medicine  Alpesh Amin MD  UCI Medical Group Internal Medicine  Frank Badin MD  Nama Beck MD  UCI Medical Center Pulmonary  Chest & Critical Care Consultants  UCI Medical Center  Chest & Critical Care Consultants  UCI Medical Center Internal Medicine  Chest & Critical Care Consultants  R Nihal Goonetilleke MD  UCI Medical Center Internal Medicine  Chest & Critical Care Consultants  UCI Medical Center Internal Medicine  Madhukar Jigjinni MD  Chest & Critical Care Consultants  UCI Medical Center Internal Medicine  UCI Medical Center Internal Medicine  N Charle Morcos MD PhD  UCI Irvine Medical Center Gastroenterology  UCI Medical Center Internal Medicine  UCI Medical Center Internal Medicine  UCI Medical Center Internal Medicine  UCI Medical Center Internal Medicine  UCI Medical Center  UCI Medical Center Internal Medicine  UCI Medical Center Internal Medicine Orange, 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 Orange
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