Hyperkalemia Center - Santa Barbara, CASanta Barbara 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 Santa Barbara * Robert Zylstra MD  GI Consultants  P Joseph Frawley MD  Eastside Neighborhood Clinic  Cristopher Geiler MD  Michael B Fisher & Thomas R Allyn MD Inc  Michael B Fisher & Thomas R Allyn MD Inc  The Med Center Inc  Barbara Hrach MD  Roger C Dunham MD  Westside Neighborhood Clinic of Santa Barbara  Barbara Hrach MD  John La Puma MD  Sansum Diabetes Research Institute  Aijian & Koonce MDs  Seth E Anderson Jr. MD  Dennis Ashley MD & Joyce Ashley MD  Bruce Bailey MD  Michael Bordofsky & Jeffrey Harb MDs  Internal Medicine Associates  Internal Medicine Associates  Richard D Danson MD  Sansum Clinic Internal Medicine Dept  Sansum Clinic Internal Medicine  Michael Bordofsky & Jeffrey Harb MDs  Sansum Clinic Internal Medicine  Digestive Disease Consultants  Aijian & Koonce MDs  Sansum Clinic Internal Medicine  Sansum Clinic Internal Medicine  Sansum Clinic Internal Medicine  Sansum Clinic Internal Medicine Dept  Central Coast Physical Med & Rehab  Sansum Clinic Internal Medicine  Sansum Clinic Internal Medicine  Premium Care Internal Medicine  David W Doner Jr. MD  George R Halling MD  Timothy L Rodgers MD  Sunita Beall MD  Arthritis & Osteoporosis Institute  Jackson Medical Group  Jackson Medical Group  Harris J Gelberg MD  Darol D Joseff MD  Janet S Pickthorn MD  Liza Presser Belkin MD Inc  The Med Center Inc  The Med Center Inc  SBCH Medical Education Department  SBCH Medical Education Department  SBCH Medical Education Department  Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital  Sansum Clinic  Montecito Geriatrics  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  Sansum Clinic Internal Medicine  Sansum Clinic Internal Medicine Dept  Babji P Mesipam MD  Santa Barbara Veterans Administration Clinic  Santa Barbara Veterans Administration Clinic  Jeffrey R Polito MD  Center For Wound Care Management  Santa Barbara Internal Medical  Santa Barbara Internal Medical  Santa Barbara Internal Medical  Jon Uyesaka MD & Kelly Williams MD  Isla Vista Neighborhood Clinic  University of California Santa Barbara  West Ventura Medical Clinic  Jeffrey McManus & Michael Gilmore MDs  Kenneth R Kafka MD  Jeffrey McManus & Michael Gilmore MDs  Raymond P Sims MD  Robert Buckingham MD Inc  Ojai Heart Institute  Sansum-Country Medical Clinic  Community Memorial Hospital  Community Memorial Hospital  Community Memorial LBB_Hospital Centers for Family Health  Gustavo A Dascanio MD  Arthur Inoshita MD  Santa Ynez Valley Medical Associates  Ventura Cardiology Consultants  Henry A Oster MD  John E Padour MD  William A Speitel MD & Sandhya T Patel MD  Santa Ynez Valley Medical Associates  Warwar Medical Group  Cardiology Associates Medical Group  Center for Diabetes & Endocrinology  Ventura Advanced Surgical Associates  Thomas J Dunlop MD Santa Barbara, CaliforniaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-02
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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 Santa Barbara
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