Hyperkalemia Center - Poway, CAPoway 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 Poway * Jill S Cottel MD  Center For Health Care  Center For Health Care  North County Internists  Center For Health Care  North County Internists  San Diego Arthritis Medical Clinic  North County Internists  Center For Health Care  Center For Health Care  North County Internists  Center For Health Care  Elizabeth Salada MD  North County Internists  Escondido Cardiology Associates  Scripps Clinic Multispecialties  Scripps Clinic Multispecialties  Scripps Clinic Multispecialties  Scripps Clinic Multispecialties  Scripps Clinic Multispecialties  Scripps Clinic Multispecialties  Scripps Clinic Multispecialties  Scripps Clinic Multispecialties  Scripps Clinic Rancho Bernardo  Kathy Clewell MD  Marcelo Rivera MD  Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group Scripps Ranch  Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group Scripps Ranch  Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Center Rancho Bernard  Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Center Rancho Bernard  Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Center Rancho Bernard  Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Center Rancho Bernard  Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Center Rancho Bernard  Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group Mira Mesa West  Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group Mira Mesa West  Gabriel Fabella MD  Samahan Mira Mesa Clinic  San Diego Physicians Clinic Inc  Caring Physicians Medical Group Inc  Noah C Johnson MD & Brij Gupta MD  San Diego Pacific Oncology & Hematology Associates  San Diego Pacific Oncology & Hematology Associates  L E I Medical Group  Edwin M Yorobe MD  Center for Family Health  Center for Family Health  Center for Family Health  Bindu Singhal MD  Genesee Medical Group  Genesee Medical Group  Kaiser Medical Center  Kaiser Medical Center  Kaiser Permanente Medical Center  R Seenu Reddy MD  Kaiser Medical Center  David Bortz MD  Graybill Medical Group Inc  Alberto Chavira MD  Escondido Internal Medicine  Graybill Medical Group Inc  Graybill Medical Group Inc  Graybill Medical Group Inc  Graybill Medical Group Inc  Escondido Internal Medicine  Escondido Internal Medicine  Graybill Medical Group Inc  Charles E Graham MD  George Groth IV MD  G Douglas Moir MD Inc  Escondido Hospitalist Group  Escondido Hospitalist Group  Escondido Hospitalist Group  Escondido Hospitalist Group  Centro Medico Latino  Escondido Hospitalist Group  Escondido Hospitalist Group  Escondido Hospitalist Group  Ali Alamar MD  Kaveh Bagheri MD  Banaie Medical Corporation  Neighborhood Healthcare  Neighborhood Healthcare  Grossmont Medical Clinic  Mohammed Miradi MD  Barzan Mohedin MD  Victor E Seikaly MD  Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group La Mesa  Alvarado Medical Group  Anoushiravan Boghairi MD  Pulmonary Medicine & Infectious Diseases  Pulmonary Medicine & Infectious Diseases  Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group La Mesa  Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group La Mesa  Alvarado Medical Group  Pulmonary Medicine & Infectious Diseases  Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group La Mesa  Pulmonary Medicine & Infectious Diseases  Robert W Foster MD  Elaine Gertser MD  Southern California Cardiology Medical Group Poway, CaliforniaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-03
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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 Poway
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