Hyperkalemia Center - South San Francisco, CASouth San Francisco 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 South San Francisco * Alcohol & Drug Treatment Center  Alcohol & Drug Treatment Center  Alcohol & Drug Treatment Center  Alcohol & Drug Treatment Center  Ronald S Strauss MD  Karl Lee MD  John Lai & Kevin Wong Medical Corporation  John Lai & Kevin Wong Medical Corporation  Angeles Feeney & Valdez MD  Charles J Antonini Jr. MD  Tali T Bashour MD  Peninsula Pulmonary Medical  Northern Peninsula Infectious Diseases Medical Group  Primary Health Care Associates  Northern Peninsula Infectious Diseases Medical Group  Angeles Feeney & Valdez MD  Feeney & Vaughn MD  Chimenti Girolami & Goldsclager MDs  Primary Health Care Associates  Kris C Kealey MD  Dale E Kocienski MD  Damon Lee MD  Leslie C Moretti MD  Primary Health Care Associates  Julia Y Myint MD  Family Medical Group  Theodor S Parada MD  Peninsula Pulmonary Medical  Northern Peninsula Infectious Diseases Medical Group  Peninsula Pulmonary Medical  George F Smith MD  Frank Tortorice MD  Seton Medical Group  Primary Health Care Associates  Feeney & Vaughn MD  Tony Lee Wong MD  Westbay Nephrology Associates  Westbay Nephrology Associates  Westbay Nephrology Associates  Drs Alper & Khananashvili  Northern California Primary Care  Burlingame Pacifica Medical Group  Burlingame Pacifica Medical Group  Rashmii Jain MD  Drs Alper & Khananashvili  Lipton Kucera & Associates  Robert H Kubin MD  Kenneth T Roost MD  Burlingame Pacifica Medical Group  Northern California Primary Care  Burlingame Family Health  Gastroenterology Consultants of The Peninsula  Sai-Sun Ho MD  Aaron M Roland MD & Associates  Peninsula Medical Group  Gastroenterology Consultants of The Peninsula  David Sugarman MD  Peninsula Medical Group  William D Zigrang MD  Ocean Medical Clinic  Southeast Health Center  St Luke's Neighborhood Clinic  Bay West Family Healthcare  Bay West Family Healthcare  Robert J Elsen MD  Golden Gate Medical Group  Bay West Family Healthcare  Renal Medical Associates  Eric G Lim MD  Lauren Standig MD  Golden Gate Medical Group  Michael J Martin MD  Renata P Smilo MD & Lawrence L Chao MD  Francis J Charlton Jr. MD  Justin P Fong MD  Segars & Segars MDs  Renata P Smilo MD & Lawrence L Chao MD  Allen F Smoot MD Inc  Weber & Yamamoto MDs  Patrick F Carter MD  The Noe Valley Clinic  Kyung R Lee MD  Robert E Napoles MD  San Francisco General Medicine Clinic  Mary Gray MD  Family Health Center  SFGH Clinic Research Ctr  TB Clinic at San Francisco General Hospital  UC Davis Rheumatology  UCSF Pulmonology & Critical Care Medicine  UCSF Positive Health Program  SFGH Emergency Services  UCSF Positive Health Program  San Francisco General Hospital  UCSF Positive Health Program  San Francisco General Medicine Clinic  Liskey Medical Group  Los Portales Family Medicine  Martin M Mass MD  Well Spring Medical Group South San Francisco, CaliforniaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-16
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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 South San Francisco
Nearby South San Francisco Hospitals *Kaiser Permanente South San Francisco Medical Center Seton Medical Center Mills-Peninsula Health Services St Luke's Hospital Laguna Honda Hospital & Rehabilitation Center San Francisco General Hospital UCSF Medical Center at Parnassus California Pacific Medical Center Davies Campus Mills Hospital St Mary's Medical Center Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Medical Center UCSF Medical Center at Mount Zion Saint Francis Memorial Hospital California Pacific Medical Center California Campus California Pacific Medical Center East Campus California Pacific Medical Center Pacific Campus Chinese Hospital San Francisco VA Medical Center Seton Medical Center Coastside San Mateo Medical Center Alameda Hospital Alameda County Medical Center Highland Campus Alta Bates Summit Medical Center Summit Campus Kaiser Permanente Medical Center at Oakland Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland Sequoia Hospital San Leandro Hospital Kaiser Permanente Redwood City Medical Center Kindred Hospital San Francisco Bay Area Alta Bates Summit Medical Center Alta Bates Campus Alameda County Medical Center Fairmont Campus Alta Bates Summit Medical Center Herrick Campus John George Psychiatric Pavilion Kaiser Permanente Hayward Medical Center St Rose Hospital Eden Medical Center Menlo Park Surgical Hospital Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford Hospital & Clinics Doctor's Medical Center San Pablo Marin General Hospital Kentfield Rehabilitation & Specialty Hospital VA Palo Alto Health Care System Washington Hospital Fremont Hospital Kaiser Permanente San Rafael Medical Center Kaiser Permanente Walnut Creek Medical Center San Ramon Regional Medical Center El Camino Hospital John Muir Medical Center Walnut Creek Campus ValleyCare Health System Pleasanton VA Northern CA Healthcare System at Martinez Contra Costa Regional Medical Center John Muir Behavioral Health Center John Muir Medical Center Concord Campus Novato Community Hospital Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara Medical Center St Helena Hospital Center for Behavioral Health Kaiser Permanente Vallejo Medical Center Sutter Solano Medical Center Valley Memorial Hospital O'Connor Hospital Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
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