Hyperkalemia Center - San Luis Obispo, CASan Luis Obispo 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 Luis Obispo * SLO Aging Institute  Pakalapati & Donaldson MD  K Dane Howalt MD  Pakalapati & Donaldson MD  DBA Central Coast Primary Care  Drs Deborah A Cherry & Jana G Hanson  Collie & Hilty MDs  DBA Central Coast Primary Care  Drs Deborah A Cherry & Jana G Hanson  Collie & Hilty MDs  Collie & Hilty MDs  Donald W Smilovitz MD  Pacific Coast Physician Medical Group Inc  David W Leece MD  Pacific Coast Physician Medical Group Inc  Pacific Coast Physician Medical Group Inc  Pacific Coast Physician Medical Group Inc  Michael P Steele MD  Pacific Coast Physician Medical Group Inc  Pacific Coast Physician Medical Group Inc  Endoscopy Center of the Central Coast  Health Services Cal Poly State Univ  Health Services Cal Poly State Univ  Coastal Village Primary Care  Arroyo Medical Group Inc  The Najarian Center  The Najarian Center  Richard E Heather MD  Community Health Centers  Janet Kershaw-McLennan MD  Garry R Kolb MD  Laleh Shaban MD  Cuesta Medical Group Inc  Cuesta Medical Group Inc  Shields B Abernathy MD  Drs Ellison & Colton  Drs Ellison & Colton  Sanjay R Ganpule MD  Diabetes & Nutrition Education  Prier Medical Clinic  Kenneth L Shapiro MD  Stephen T Sigmund MD  North County Care Minor  Marian Community Clinic  Marian Community Clinic  Marian Community Clinic  Marian Community Clinic  Marian Community Clinic  Michael K Kazak MD  Marian Community Clinic  Marian Community Clinic  Susan Ziemba MD  Jim E Baker MD  Pedro A Diaz MD  Albert W Hawkins MD  Suresh C Lodha MD  James P Sweeney MD  Muthiyaliah Babu MD  Pacific Arthritis Center  Mohammad A Arain MD  Mudit Dabral MD  Kishor D Popat MD  Santa Barbara Health Care Clinic  Victor Guerrero MD  Sansum Santa Barbara Medical Foundation Clinic Lompoc  David W Doner Jr. MD  Lompoc County Public Health Clinic  Valley Medical Group of Lompoc  Gilbert O Andersen MD  Lawrence S Riemer MD  Buellton Medical Center  Gustavo A Dascanio MD  Santa Ynez Valley Medical Associates  Santa Ynez Valley Medical Associates  Sansum-Country Medical Clinic  Coalinga Valley Health Clinic  West Hill Medical Group  West Hill Medical Group  Roberto C Tongson MD  University of California Santa Barbara  The Med Center Inc  Isla Vista Neighborhood Clinic  Santa Barbara Internal Medical  Santa Barbara Internal Medical  Santa Barbara Internal Medical  Jon Uyesaka MD & Kelly Williams MD  Center For Wound Care Management  Jeffrey R Polito MD  Tony A Carey MD  Santa Barbara Veterans Administration Clinic  Santa Barbara Veterans Administration Clinic  Taft Community Medical Center  Sansum Clinic Internal Medicine  Sansum Clinic Internal Medicine Dept  Sansum Clinic Internal Medicine Dept  Sansum Clinic Internal Medicine Dept  Sansum Clinic Internal Medicine  Sansum Clinic Internal Medicine  Sansum Clinic Internal Medicine  Sansum Clinic Internal Medicine San Luis Obispo, 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 San Luis Obispo
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