Hyperkalemia Center - Santa Cruz, CASanta Cruz 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 Cruz * Santa Cruz Medical Foundation Locust St  Cedar Medical Clinic  Allison Herman MD  Shorenstein & Shorenstein MD's  Shorenstein & Shorenstein MD's  Santa Cruz Medical Foundation Soquel Ave  Santa Cruz Medical Foundation Soquel Ave  Santa Cruz Medical Foundation Urgent Care  Santa Cruz Medical Foundation Soquel Ave  Santa Cruz Medical Foundation Soquel Ave  Santa Cruz Medical Foundation Soquel Ave  Santa Cruz Medical Foundation Soquel Ave  Santa Cruz Medical Foundation Soquel Ave  Santa Cruz Medical Foundation Soquel Ave  Santa Cruz Medical Foundation Soquel Ave  Dominican Medical Foundation  Dominican Medical Foundation  Dominican Medical Foundation  Santa Cruz Nephrology Medical Group  Dominican Medical Foundation  Santa Cruz Medical Foundation Scotts Valley  Santa Cruz Medical Foundation Scotts Valley  Santa Cruz Medical Foundation Scotts Valley  Western Medical Associates  Bayview Gastroenterology  Santa Cruz Medical Foundation Aptos  Santa Cruz Medical Foundation Aptos  Santa Cruz Medical Foundation Aptos  James M Engelman MD  Ann Carroll & Miguel Vasquez MD  Marylou Romo-Gritzewsky MD  Ann Carroll & Miguel Vasquez MD  Elias S Rodriguez MD  Santa Cruz Medical Foundation Watsonville  R S Kochi MD  Frank L Ravago MD  Frank L Ravago MD  Melissa Z Lopez-Bermejo MD  Melissa Z Lopez-Bermejo MD  Mar Monte Medical Clinic  Brennan Medical Group  Brennan Medical Group  Clinica Medica Santa Maria  Brennan Medical Group  Los Robles Professional Group  Rekha S Dharmaji MD  Catherine Grellet MD  Los Robles Professional Group  Los Robles Professional Group  South Bay Pulmonary Medical Group  Los Robles Professional Group  Hernan H Casanovas MD  Ayer & Davilla MDs  Ayer & Davilla MDs  Jerry Callaway MD  Kenneth J Silver MD  National Avenue Medical Associates  National Avenue Medical Associates  Samaritan Internal Medicine  Jack L Coombs MD  Samaritan Internal Medicine  South Bay Renal & Hypertension  San Jose Medical Group  South Bay Renal & Hypertension  San Jose Good Samaritan Medical Group  Samaritan Internal Medicine  Heart Associates  Samaritan Internal Medicine  San Jose Medical Group  Jagat B Satia MD  San Jose Good Samaritan Medical Group  South Bay Renal & Hypertension  South Bay Renal & Hypertension  San Jose Good Samaritan Medical Group  Paragon Physician Hospitalist Medical Group Inc.  Paragon Physician Hospitalist Medical Group Inc.  Paragon Physician Hospitalist Medical Group Inc.  Paragon Physician Hospitalist Medical Group Inc.  Paragon Physician Hospitalist Medical Group Inc.  Paragon Physician Hospitalist Medical Group Inc.  Paragon Physician Hospitalist Medical Group Inc.  Paragon Physician Hospitalist Medical Group Inc.  Chung H Liao MD  Massoud Malmoudi DO  Armstrong Armstrong & Majumder MD's  Armstrong Armstrong & Majumder MD's  Beverly A Barboza MD  Lawrence P Bonaldi MD  Samia Botros MD  Donald Conlon MD  Gregory & McGrath MDs  Barbara Hom MD  Ronald G Kite MD  Willie Lu MD  Armstrong Armstrong & Majumder MD's  Gregory & McGrath MDs  Davies & Quakenbush MD  Debra A Fetters MD  Khalil Fattahi MD  Leewen Liu MD Santa Cruz, 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 Santa Cruz
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