Hyperkalemia Center - Salinas, CASalinas 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 Salinas * Rita Y Lee MD  Central Coast Cardiology  Joseph P Garvin MD  Arthritis Center  Robert J Wlodarczyk DO Inc  Los Palos Medical Associates Inc  Los Palos Medical Associates Inc  Los Palos Medical Associates Inc  Los Palos Medical Associates Inc  Rinderknecht Klein & Taub MD  Los Palos Medical Associates Inc  Los Palos Medical Associates Inc  Los Palos Medical Associates Inc  Badke Medical & Rehabilitation  Central Coast Nephrology  Salinas Valley Prime Care Medical Group  Central Coast Nephrology  Salinas Valley Prime Care Medical Group  Central Coast Nephrology  Salinas Valley Prime Care Medical Group  Central Coast Nephrology  Salinas Valley Prime Care Medical Group  Salinas Valley Prime Care Medical Group  Salinas Valley Prime Care Medical Group  Natividad Medical Center  Laura Solorio MD  Laura Solorio MD  Harden Urgent Care Medical Center  Harden Urgent Care Medical Center  Nicolas Nuttall MD  Geriatric Medical Center  Keller Medical Institute  Seaside Family Health Center  Doctors on Duty Medical Clinic  Eun J Park MD  Waligora Medical Group  David A Clark MD  Craig R Geiler MD  Internal Medicine Group  Internal Medicine Group  Internal Medicine Group  Kennedy Christian & Rice MDs  Kennedy Christian & Rice MDs  Clinica Medica Santa Maria  Brennan Medical Group  Brennan Medical Group  Brennan Medical Group  Gary Grant MD  Mar Monte Medical Clinic  Melissa Z Lopez-Bermejo MD  Melissa Z Lopez-Bermejo MD  Elias S Rodriguez MD  Santa Cruz Medical Foundation Watsonville  Carmel Internal Medicine Assoc  Santa Cruz Nephrology Medical Group  Ann Carroll & Miguel Vasquez MD  Bayview Gastroenterology  Marylou Romo-Gritzewsky MD  Ann Carroll & Miguel Vasquez MD  R S Kochi MD  Frank L Ravago MD  Frank L Ravago MD  Kenneth Jiang MD  Mohammad S Al-Hasan MD  Martin M Bress MD  German Baldeon MD  Richard C Colbert MD  George Green MD  Cheung K Tom Leung MD  James M Engelman MD  Santa Cruz Medical Foundation Aptos  Santa Cruz Medical Foundation Aptos  Santa Cruz Medical Foundation Aptos  Santa Cruz Medical Foundation Aptos  Valley Health Center at San Martin  Mission Center Healthcare  Western Medical Associates  Dominican Medical Foundation  Dominican Medical Foundation  Dominican Medical Foundation  Dominican Medical Foundation  Santa Cruz Medical Foundation Soquel Ave  Santa Cruz Medical Foundation Soquel Ave  Santa Cruz Medical Foundation Urgent Care  Santa Cruz Medical Foundation Soquel Ave  Santa Cruz Medical Foundation Soquel Ave  Santa Cruz Medical Foundation Soquel Ave  Santa Cruz Medical Foundation Soquel Ave  Santa Cruz Medical Foundation Soquel Ave  Santa Cruz Medical Foundation Soquel Ave  Shorenstein & Shorenstein MD's  Shorenstein & Shorenstein MD's  Cedar Medical Clinic  Santa Cruz Medical Foundation Locust St  Allison Herman MD  William Brian Joyce MD  Morgan Hill Internal Medicine  Morgan Hill Internal Medicine  Santa Cruz Medical Foundation Scotts Valley  Santa Cruz Medical Foundation Scotts Valley Salinas, CaliforniaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-23
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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 Salinas
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