Hyperkalemia Center - Rancho Palos Verdes, CARancho Palos Verdes 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 Rancho Palos Verdes * Palos Verdes Medical Group  Drs Isenberg & Kuida  Cor Healthcare Medical Associates  Judi Goldstone MD  Cor Healthcare Medical Associates  Peninsula Pulmonary Medical Associates  South Bay Family Medical Group  Peninsula Pulmonary Medical Associates  South Bay Family Medical Group  South Bay Family Medical Group  South Bay Family Medical Group  Azhar Muttalib MD & Meena Oberoi MD  Azhar Muttalib MD & Meena Oberoi MD  Cancer Care Associates Medical Group  Drs Kuraishi & Brown  Richard M Butlig MD Inc  Digestive Care Consultants  Digestive Care Consultants  Mohan Khurana MD  Barbara Ann Lebron MD  J Raymond Li MD  Digestive Care Consultants  Beatrice Wu MD  Torrance Memorial Medical Center  Torrance Memorial Medical Center  HealthCare Partners Medical Group  David O Kim MD  Nam M Lai MD  Healthcare Partners  Milefchik Rand Medical Group  Valerie Margeta MD  Milefchik Rand Medical Group  California Hematology Oncology Medical Group  Aruna Ramayya MD  Milefchik Rand Medical Group  Joel Ringold MD  Healthcare Partners  Osato Medical Clinic  Siamak S Marzban MD  Andrew Yuh-Fong Lin MD  Hicham Siouty MD  Roberto T Unguez MD  HealthCare Partners Medical Group Redondo Beach  David Campisi MD  HealthCare Partners Medical Group Redondo Beach  Cor Healthcare Medical Associates  Mirko A Giaconi MD  San Pedro Internal Family Medicine  Cor Healthcare Medical Associates  Stanley L Stock MD  Stephen D Taus MD  San Pedro Internal Family Medicine  Little Company of Mary Hospital San Pedro  Nicol Lippman MD  Narbonne Multi Specialty Medical Group  HealthCare Partners South Bay-Sepulveda Office  Atlas Pain Management Medical Corporation  Providence Medical Institute Little Company of Mary  ID Med  ID Med  ID Med  ID Med  ID Med  Providence Medical Institute Little Company of Mary  Iraj Akhlaghi MD  Haydee T Arboleda MD  Duke M Chang MD  John Doherty MD  Moyeen Khaleeli MD  Hosayn Khaleeli MD  California Heart and Vascular Institute  Thomas S Lin MD  Thomas S Lin MD  Mridula Kedia MD  Drs Brown & Mohamadi  Christopher M Tsuneishi MD  Robert M Webman MD  Karen Black MD  Sittiporn Boontung MD  Ranjit S Grewal MD  Norma M Maala Sarao MD  Behzad Noorian MD  Khaja R Ahmed MD  Drs Inadomi & Sawelson  Curtis G Lee MD  Sunny Melendez MD  Drs Inadomi & Sawelson  Medical Institute of Little Company of Mary Torrance  Medical Institute of Little Company of Mary Torrance  Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Institute Urgent Care  John P Armato MD  David Bloom MD  Little Company of Mary Hospital  Little Company of Mary Family Medical Center  Joseph Ford MD  Brian M Gee MD  Little Company of Mary Hospital  Gail Levee MD  Little Company of Mary Hospital  Toshiyuki Tanaka MD Rancho Palos Verdes, CaliforniaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-02
2012-06-10
2012-06-23
2012-06-23
2012-06-30
2012-07-04
2012-08-25
2012-09-22
2012-09-30
2012-10-06
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 Rancho Palos Verdes
Nearby Rancho Palos Verdes Hospitals *Del Amo Hospital Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center San Pedro Torrance Memorial Medical Center Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance Kaiser Permanente South Bay Medical Center LAC Harbor UCLA Medical Center Vista Hospital of South Bay Los Angeles Metropolitan Medical Center Hawthorne Campus Memorial Hospital of Gardena St Mary Medical Center Pacific Hospital of Long Beach Long Beach Memorial Medical Center Miller Children's Hospital Centinela Freeman Regional Medical Center Centinela Campus Community Hospital of Long Beach Martin Luther King Jr MAC Service Center VA Long Beach Healthcare System Marina Del Rey Hospital Lakewood Regional Medical Center Kindred Hospital Los Angeles Promise Hospital of East Los Angeles Suburban Medical Center Campus St Francis Medical Center Bellflower Medical Center Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center Brotman Medical Center Tri-City Regional Medical Center College Hospital Cerritos Community Hospital of Huntington Park Kaiser Permanente Downey Medical Center Los Alamitos Medical Center Santa Monica UCLA Medical Center Saint John's Health Center Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles Medical Center Downey Regional Medical Center Los Angeles Metropolitan Medical Center Coast Plaza Doctors Hospital Orthopaedic Medical Center California Hospital Medical Center Miracle Mile Medical Center Olympia Medical Center La Palma Intercommunity Hospital VA Greater Los Angeles HealthCare System Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center UCLA Neuropsychiatric Hospital Los Angeles Community Hospital Norwalk Community Hospital Good Samaritan Hospital Cedars-Sinai Medical Center East Los Angeles Doctors Hospital Metropolitan State Hospital Promise Hospital of East Los Angeles St Vincent Medical Center Anaheim General Hospital Shriners Hospitals for Children Los Angeles Kindred Hospital Westminster White Memorial Medical Center Temple Community Hospital Huntington Beach Hospital Kaiser Mental Health Center Pacific Alliance Medical Center West Anaheim Medical Center LAC + USC Medical Center LAC + USC Medical Center Women's & Children's Hospital Barlow Respiratory Hospital Hollywood Community Hospital USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center USC University Hospital Gateways Hospital & Mental Health Center Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center Childrens Hospital Los Angeles Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center Kindred Hospital La Mirada Beverly Hospital Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital Orange Coast Memorial 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
