Hyperkalemia Center - Simi Valley, CASimi Valley 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 Simi Valley * Sierra Vista Family Care  Regal Medical Group  Regal Medical Group  Mysore R Nagaraja MD  Atul Aggarwal MD  The Heart Center of Southern California  Valley Renal Medical Group  Pulmonary Critical Care Associates Inc  Anita Kaul MD  Michael T Mosher MD & Corinna R Mosher MD  Diane C Narhi MD  Anthony T Phan MD  Pravina Somani MD  Harris L Wasser MD  Ashim Arora MD  Royal E Dean MD  Mahendra Patel MD  Abdol M Zia MD  Simi Valley Health Care  Paul E Diehl MD  Irene B Faust MD  Affiliates In Medical Specialties West Hills  Affiliates In Medical Specialties West Hills  Affiliates In Medical Specialties West Hills  Affiliates In Medical Specialties West Hills  HealthCare Partners West Hills  Paul O Gulsrud MD  Nephrology & Internal Medicine Affiliate  Caleb W Hirsch MD  Bruce A Jacobson MD APC  Marc I Lavin MD  Narsis Moshfeghi MD  Marc I Lavin MD  Edward J O'Neill MD  Nephrology & Internal Medicine Affiliate  Maryam Mortezaiefard DO  Afrzal H Sahibzada MD  Nabil Feghali MD  Nabil Feghali MD  Jay J Lin MD Inc  Moorpark Comprehensive Medical Group  Medi Wellness  Jack M Gindi MD  Affiliates In Medical Specialties Agoura Hills  Affiliates In Medical Specialties Agoura Hills  Ruby C Simpkins MD  Ian Yip MD  Allan L Kurtz DO  Ruth White MD  Private Medical Group  Facey Medical Group Porter Ranch  Facey Medical Group Porter Ranch  Reginald A Coates MD  Miryam Liberman MD  H Norman Xu MD Inc  Sarfraz J Zaidi MD  Hector Cabellero MD  Aziz Ghaussy MD  Kaiser Permanente Medical Center Internal Medicine  Thousands Oaks Urgent Care Center  Conejo Medical Center  Edward B Portnoy MD  Parviz Amini MD  Professional Weight Control  Baker & Gonzalez MDs  Paul R Block MD A Medical Corp  Sharam Daneshgar MD  Mark H Mazur & Barry Statner MDs PC  Andrew E Giron MD  Baker & Gonzalez MDs  Mark H Mazur & Barry Statner MDs PC  Lawrence McAdam MD  Mark H Mazur & Barry Statner MDs PC  Mark H Mazur & Barry Statner MDs PC  Andre Yousefia MD  Arroyo Oaks Medical Associates Inc  Howard Bliman MD  Daya Hanzelik & Horton MDs  Richard P Dhanes MD  Bonaventure Eng MD  Daya Hanzelik & Horton MDs  Jacob & Henein Inc  Arroyo Oaks Medical Associates Inc  Jacob & Henein Inc  Arroyo Oaks Medical Associates Inc  Ronald Popper MD  Arroyo Oaks Medical Associates Inc  Arroyo Oaks Medical Associates Inc  Shariar Cohen-Gadol MD  Nallini Gnanadesigan MD  Niti V Peruvemba DO  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 Simi Valley, 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 Simi Valley
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