Hyperkalemia Center - Santa Clarita, CASanta Clarita 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 Clarita * Facey Medical Group Valencia  Facey Medical Group Valencia  Facey Medical Group Valencia  Facey Medical Group Valencia  Facey Medical Group Valencia  Facey Medical Group Valencia  Facey Medical Group Valencia  Joseph Terrazzino MD Inc  Facey Medical Group Valencia  Balbir S Brar MD  John M Cocco MD  Joseph M Lavi MD  Assomull & Gandhi MDs  Steven H Baron MD  Ellsworth Pryor III MD & Wendy G Clough MD  Assomull & Gandhi MDs  Lakhbiner Dhanda MD  Assomull & Gandhi MDs  Santa Clarita Gastroenterology  Valencia Pulmonary Medical Group  Santa Clarita Gastroenterology  Valencia Pulmonary Medical Group  Maria S Umali MD  Facey Medical Group Copperhill  Facey Medical Group Copperhill  Facey Medical Group Copperhill  Facey Medical Group Copperhill  Olga N Popel MD  Prima Health Care  Facey Medical Group Canyon Country  Facey Medical Group Canyon Country  Facey Medical Group Canyon Country  Facey Medical Group Canyon Country  Facey Medical Group Canyon Country  Facey Medical Group Canyon Country  Olive View Medical Center  Olive View UCLA Medical Center  Olive View UCLA Medical Center  Olive View Medical Center  Olive View UCLA Medical Center  Facey Medical Group Porter Ranch  Facey Medical Group Porter Ranch  Sylmar Medical Center  Sylmar Medical Center  Noble Community Medical Associates  Orange Coast Medical Group  Nestor C Lazaro MD  North Valley Hematology & Oncology Medical Group  Facey Medical Foundation Mission Hills  Facey Medical Foundation Mission Hills  Facey Medical Foundation Mission Hills  Facey Medical Foundation Mission Hills  Facey Medical Foundation Mission Hills  Facey Medical Foundation Mission Hills  Facey Medical Foundation Mission Hills  Miles S Jakl MD  Facey Medical Foundation Mission Hills  Facey Medical Foundation Mission Hills  Facey Medical Foundation Mission Hills  Mahendra Patel MD  Jaganath A Naidu MD  Facey Medical Foundation Mission Hills  Mahendra Patel MD  Facey Medical Foundation Mission Hills  Facey Medical Foundation Mission Hills  Facey Medical Foundation Mission Hills  Facey Medical Foundation Mission Hills  Magurdich Balabanian MD  Magurdich Balabanian MD  Joel Clarfield MD  NE Valley Health Corp  M Reza Nahed MD  Mission Plaza Medical Group  NE Valley Health Corp  HeathCare Partners Medical Group  HeathCare Partners Medical Group  HeathCare Partners Medical Group  Magurdich Balabanian MD  Robert Thompson MD  NE Valley Health Corp  Valley Endocrine & Diabetes Consultants Inc  Edwin O Yellin MD  Mission Plaza Medical Group  Reza Bonabi MD  Christopher R Buttelman MD  Lakeside Medical Associates  Drs Etehad & Josephson  Pulmonary Critical Care Associates Inc  Drs Etehad & Josephson  Lakeside Medical Associates  Mysore R Nagaraja MD  Cardiology Practice Medical Group Inc  Lakeside Medical Associates  Lilly L Wilen MD  Hafeez U Parray MD  Parviz Amini MD  James Merrin MD  Mark R Winkler MD  Sepulveda Ambulatory Center of the Greater Los Angeles Valley Health Care System  Sepulveda Ambulatory Center of the Greater Los Angeles Valley Health Care System Santa Clarita, 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 Clarita
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