Hyperkalemia Center - Santa Monica, CASanta Monica 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 Monica * Steven H Becker MD  UCLA Internal Medicine  UCLA Internal Medicine  UCLA Internal Medicine  UCLA Internal Medicine  UCLA Internal Medicine  UCLA Internal Medicine  Santa Monica Bay Physicians  UCLA Santa Monica Specialists  Santa Monica Bay Physicians  Santa Monica Bay Physicians  Santa Monica Bay Physicians  Neal Shanblatt MD  UCLA Internal Medicine Santa Monica  UCLA Internal Medicine Santa Monica  UCLA Internal Medicine Santa Monica  UCLA Internal Medicine Santa Monica  UCLA Internal Medicine Santa Monica  UCLA Internal Medicine Santa Monica  Emily Crandall MD  Joan Feltman MD  William C Harrell MD  Alex J Messina MD  Anne Ryback Schmidt MD  Michael Toiserkani MD  Lisa Vasak MD  UCLA Family Practice  James Anastasi MD  Stanton G Axline MD  James Baharvar MD  Linda Glaser MD PhD  Glenn Gorlitsky MD  West Side Nephrology Medical Group  Santa Monica Bay Physicians  Glenn Gorlitsky MD  Lewis Kanengiser MD  Frederick J Karubian MD  Sean C Lai MD  Mark Nachman MD  Ram Nemani MD  William A Pullen MD  Cardiology Consultants of Santa Monica  Sandra Ramer MD  Soheil Hekmat Hillcrest Medical Clinic  Jane S Spiegel MD  Glenn Gorlitsky MD  Westside Internal Medicine  David S David MD  Westside Internal Medicine  Joel Samuel Isackson MD  Westside Internal Medicine  Westside Internal Medicine  St John's Health Center  Venice Family Clinic  Westside Internal Medicine  Westside Internal Medicine  Michael V Zelman MD  Mitchell Becker MD  Louis Ravitz MD  Beverly Medical Sleep Center & Neuro Diagnostics  Douglas Tyler MD  Marvin M Portner MD  Doctor House Call  UCLA Medical Group Brentwood  UCLA Medical Group Brentwood  UCLA Medical Group Brentwood  Robert M Kahn MD  Nicholas Yankopoulos MD  Block Garb & Smith MDs  Block Garb & Smith MDs  Pacific Palisades Medical Group  T Richard Harelik MD  Pacific Palisades Medical Group  Block Garb & Smith MDs  Erie V Boorman MD Inc  Flor Geola MD  Erie V Boorman MD Inc  Gerald Markovitz MD Inc  Timothy C Reynolds MD  California Allergy & Asthma Medical Group Inc  California Allergy & Asthma Medical Group Inc  Erie V Boorman MD Inc  Brentview Medical  Raphael Darvish MD  Brentview Medical  Brentview Medical  Citizens Medical Group  John Joseph Pack MD  R Paul St Amand MD  VA Hospital  VA Greater Los Angeles Health Care System  VA Hospital  Robert Y Uyeda MD  Nicholas Karyotakis MD  Access Medical Group  Access Medical Group  Michael Rubottom MD  Prostate Oncology Specialists Inc  Access Medical Group  Access Medical Group Santa Monica, 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 Monica
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