Hyperkalemia Center - San Francisco, CASan Francisco 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 Francisco * Karen Bayle MD & Alisa G Oberschelp MD  Tom Waddell Clinic  Karen Bayle MD & Alisa G Oberschelp MD  Barbara A Wismer MD  Curry Senior Center  Curry Senior Center  Joan Saxton MD  Malin Aubry Gores Wang Haddad & Sankaran  Amy N Bossen MD  Chan Leoung & Mendelson MDs  Meyer D Cohen MD  On Lok Senior Health Services  Catherine Eng MD  Malin Aubry Gores Wang Haddad & Sankaran  Malin Aubry Gores Wang Haddad & Sankaran  Fred B Hom MD  Malin Aubry Gores Wang Haddad & Sankaran  J David Malone MD PC  Chan Leoung & Mendelson MDs  Justin P Quock MD  Malin Aubry Gores Wang Haddad & Sankaran  Dennis Shen MD  Romana Usman MD  Malin Aubry Gores Wang Haddad & Sankaran  Richard Ward MD  Larry E Williams MD  Fog City Medical Clinic  John H Fullerton MD  George P Fulmer MD  San Francisco Internal Medicine Associates  Diana Lam MD  San Francisco Internal Medicine Associates  Bay Springs Medical Group  Bay Springs Medical Group  Bay Springs Medical Group  John I Umekubo MD  San Francisco Internal Medicine Associates  Joo-Sock Yang MD  Frank S Yang MD  Harvey C Edelman MD  Shawn K Hassler MD  Amy C Hecht MD  Thomas A McDermott MD  Carmelo Roco MD  Jim Y Savage MD  Jordan L Shlain MD  Marjorie A Smith MD  Martin Terplan MD  Harold W Wray MD  Gary N Apter MD  Downtown Medical  Hanlon Fong MD  San Francisco Digestive Disease Inc  Health & Healing Clinic  California Pacific Medical Center  California Pacific Medical Center  Karen K Khoo MD  Dan Ladabaum MD  Kok-Tong Ling MD  San Francisco Digestive Disease Inc  Minkowsky & Minkowsky MDs  Aaron A Rang MD  San Francisco Digestive Disease Inc  Union Square Medical Associates  Silvia Y Yuen MD  Drs Andereck Bravata & Hightower  Pacific Rheumatology Associates  Pacific Heights Medical Group  Drs Andereck Bravata & Hightower  Pacific Internal Medicine Associates  Well Spring Medical Group  Lisa C Capaldini MD  Michael C Chase MD  Daniel Conlin MD  Drennan-Cubba Medical Group  Pacific Rheumatology Associates  Pacific Heights Medical Group  Frank M Delen MD  Pacific Heights Medical Group  Pacific Internal Medicine Associates  Drennan-Cubba Medical Group  Toby S Dyner MD  Ronald B Elkin MD  Robert J Elsen MD  Health Management Institute Inc  Pacific Internal Medicine Associates  Well Spring Medical Group  Drs Andereck Bravata & Hightower  Thomas J Kaiser MD  Renal Medical Associates  Pacific Internal Medicine Associates  Hyo J Kim MD  Pacific Internal Medicine Associates  Drs Sterman & Knox  Pacific Internal Medicine Associates  Health Management Institute Inc  Charles T Lynch MD  CPMC Occupational Health Services  PACIFIC INTERNAL MEDICINE ASSOCIATES  Pacific Internal Medicine Associates San Francisco, CaliforniaSan Francisco is a popular international tourist destination, renowned for its chilly summer fog, steep rolling hills, eclectic mix of Victorian and modern architecture and its famous landmarks, including the Golden Gate Bridge, the cable cars, and Chinatown. The city is also a principal banking and finance center, and the home of over 30 international financial institutions, helping to make San Francisco fifteenth in the world's list of cities by GDP and eighth in the United States. Upcoming Local Events2012-06-16
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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 Francisco
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