Hyperkalemia Center - Placentia, CAPlacentia 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 Placentia * Audrey Konow MD  The Internal Medical Group  Secure Health Medical Group  The Internal Medical Group  Secure Health Medical Group  St Jude Heritage Medical Group Yorba Linda  St Jude Heritage Medical Group Yorba Linda  St Jude Heritage Medical Group Yorba Linda  St Jude Heritage Medical Group Yorba Linda  St Jude Heritage Medical Group Yorba Linda  St Jude Heritage Medical Group Yorba Linda  Edward R Hutchison MD  David F Jesse MD Inc  Jyotika L Wali MD  John W Zamarra MD  Charles Kellerman MD  Family Medical Clinic  UCI Medical Center Primary Care  UCI Medical Center Primary Care  UCI Medical Center Primary Care  Sunrise Medical Group  Rajiv Bhavsar MD  Joey A Santos MD  St Jude Cardiology  Satoshi Kamada MD  Peter B Kwon MD  St Jude Heritage Medical Sunnycrest  Paulynne P Liang MD Inc  St Jude Heritage Medical Sunnycrest  Western Pulmonary Group  Western Pulmonary Group  St Jude Heritage Medical Sunnycrest  Western Pulmonary Group  Chien Ko Wu & Meei Ling Wu MDs  Internal Medicine Specialists Medical Groups  St Jude Heritage Medical Group  Internal Medicine Specialists Medical Groups  St Jude Heritage Medical Group Bastanchury  St Jude Heritage Medical Group Bastanchury  St Jude Heritage Medical Group Bastanchury  St Jude Heritage Medical Group Bastanchury  Francisco C Gonda Jr. MD  Thira Kunakornskul MD  Ravi Makam MD  St Jude Heritage Medical Group Bastanchury  Associated Gastroenterology Medical Group  Usha Iyer MD  United Cardiology Medical Group  Mahaveer Khemka MD  Patrick T Pan MD Inc  Orange County Primary Care  Associated Gastroenterology Medical Group  Eric R Ross MD  Archana C Shende MD  Arun D Patel MD  Gateway Internal Medicine  Mary P Harward MD  Ivy-Joan E Madu MD  Acharya Medical Group  Amirtha Ajit MD  Ravindra Alapati MD  Ashok Amin MD  Ambika Bali MD  Gateway Internal Medicine  Pulmonary Disease Center of Orange County  Anaheim Cardiology Medical Group  Pacific Cancer Medical Center Inc  Drs Chong & Chung  Chest & Critical Care Consultants  Chest & Critical Care Consultants  Orange County Medical Group  Chest & Critical Care Consultants  Gateway Internal Medicine  Syam P Gaddam MD  Chest & Critical Care Consultants  Chest & Critical Care Consultants  Chest & Critical Care Consultants  Chest & Critical Care Consultants  Drs Bernhut Fajardo Hryniewicki & Shimazu  Gateway Internal Medicine  David Y Hwang MD  Chin Se Kim MD  Anaheim Veterans Clinic  Chest & Critical Care Consultants  Pacific Cancer Medical Center Inc  Corazon C Medina MD  Craig J Milhouse MD  Gateway Internal Medicine  Acharya Medical Group  Gateway Internal Medicine  Prakash N Shenoy MD  Drs Bernhut Fajardo Hryniewicki & Shimazu  Gateway Internal Medicine  Pulmonary Consultants  Pulmonary Consultants  UCI Medical Center Internal Medicine  Pulmonary Consultants  Alpesh Amin MD  UCI Medical Group Internal Medicine  UCI Medical Center Pulmonary Placentia, 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 Placentia
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