Hyperkalemia Center - San Clemente, CASan Clemente 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 San Clemente * San Clemente Medical Center  Dr Torsten Kruse  Inchel Yeam MD  Greg A Brown MD  Rothenberg & Brownstone MDs  Lawrence C Chang MD  Senior Care Medical Associates Inc  San Clemente Internal Medicine Group  San Clemente Internal Medicine Group  San Clemente Internal Medicine Group  Rothenberg & Brownstone MDs  Ronald S Saltzman MD  James I Sperber MD  Theodore R Van Dam MD  Daniel Fortmann MD  Camino Health Center  Camino Health Center  Drs Prewitt & Rose  Drs Prewitt & Rose  Ocean Pacific Medical Group  David M Pino MD  Paloma Medical Group  Paloma Medical Group  Paloma Medical Group  Laguna Niguel Family Medical Center  Saddleback Medical Group  Saddleback Medical Group  Saddleback Medical Group  Mission Internal Medical Group  Mission Internal Medical Group  Marwan Edris MD  Mission Internal Medical Group  Mission Internal Medical Group  Mission Internal Medical Group  Mission Internal Medical Group  Mission Internal Medical Group  Mission Internal Medical Group  Magdy T Nawar MD  Mission Internal Medical Group  Mission Internal Medical Group  Mission Internal Medical Group  Mission Internal Medical Group  Mission Internal Medical Group  Mission Internal Medical Group  Mission Internal Medical Group  Mission Internal Medical Group  Crown Valley Internal Medical Group Inc  Mission Internal Medical Group  Mission Internal Medical Group  Mission Internal Medical Group  Mission Internal Medical Group  Gregory J VanDyke MD  Mission Internal Medical Group  Mission Internal Medical Group  Diane Zebari MD  Susan Dindot MD  Vincent R Duda MD & Quan H Nguyen MD  Raef M Elsanadi MD  Mission Neurology Medical Group  Poneh Rahimi MD  Rexinger Medical Group Inc  David A Steenblock BS MS DO  Sonja S Krafcik MD  Pacific Gastroenterology  South Coast Medical Center Emergency  Robert V Eller DO  Robert V Eller DO  Cherie Hinchliffe MD  Kim & Park MDs  Szabolcs G Kovacs MD  Brian Lo MD Inc  Robert V Eller DO  Oso Family Medical Group  Shaparak M Kamarei MD  Orange County Heart Center  Orange County Heart Center  Peter S Jungwirth MD  Kaiser Permanente  Pacific Canyons Medical Group  Coastal Care Internal Medicine  Pacific Ridge Medical Associates  Gary L Sugarman MD  Pacific Ridge Medical Associates  Mark Zaremba MD  Reza Govashiri MD  Bristol Park Medical Group  Bristol Park Medical Group  Senior Care Medical Associates Inc  Senior Care Medical Associates Inc  Senior Care Medical Associates Inc  Senior Care Medical Associates Inc  Pacific Crest Medical Group  Pacific Crest Medical Group  Pacific Crest Medical Group  Pacific Crest Medical Group  Ali Ghahraman MD  Richard H Greengold MD  Lawrence J Luppi MD & Jason J Pang MD  Lawrence J Luppi MD & Jason J Pang MD  Sukhu Medical Group San Clemente, 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 San Clemente
Nearby San Clemente Hospitals *Saddleback Memorial Medical Center San Clemente Mission Hospital Laguna Beach Children's Hospital of Orange County at Mission Mission Hospital Saddleback Memorial Medical Center Laguna Hills Kaiser Permanente Orange County Irvine Medical Center Fallbrook Hospital Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian College Hospital Costa Mesa Inland Valley Medical Center Tustin Hospital & Medical Center Tri-City Medical Center Coastal Communities Hospital HEALTHSOUTH Tustin Rehabilitation Hospital Rancho Springs Medical Center Western Medical Center Santa Ana Fountain Valley Regional Hospital & Medical Center Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center Chapman Medical Center HealthBridge Children's Rehabilitation Hospital Kindred Hospital Santa Ana Children's Hospital Orange County St Joseph Hospital Huntington Beach Hospital Garden Grove Hospital & Medical Center University Of California Irvine Medical Center Corona Regional Medical Center Rehabilitation Corona Regional Medical Center Kaiser Permanente Anaheim Medical Center Kindred Hospital Westminster Western Medical Center Anaheim Menifee Valley Medical Center Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas Encinitas Nursing & Rehabilitation Kaiser Permanente Riverside Medical Center Anaheim Regional Medical Center Placentia-Linda Hospital Vista Hospital of Riverside 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. |
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