Hyperkalemia Center - Sunnyvale, CASunnyvale 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 Sunnyvale * Camino Medical Group Internal Medicine  Camino Medical Group Internal Medicine  Camino Medical Group Internal Medicine  Camino Medical Group Internal Medicine  Camino Medical Group Internal Medicine  Camino Medical Group Internal Medicine  Camino Medical Group Internal Medicine  Camino Medical Group Internal Medicine  Camino Medical Group Internal Medicine  Andrew Y Lin MD  Geeta Krishnapriyan MD & Mary Varghese MD  Geeta Krishnapriyan MD & Mary Varghese MD  Camino Medical Group Mountain View Clinic  Camino Medical Group  Camino Medical Group Mountain View Clinic  Camino Medical Group Mountain View Clinic  Camino Medical Group Pulmonary  Camino Medical Group Mountain View Clinic  Camino Medical Group Internal Medicine  Camino Medical Group Los Altos Clinic  Camino Medical Group Urgent Care  Camino Medical Group  Camino Medical Group Mountain View Clinic  Camino Medical Group Gastroenterology  Camino Medical Group Gastroenterology  Camino Medical Group Internal Medicine  Camino Medical Group  Camino Medical Group  Camino Medical Group Gastroenterology  Camino Medical Group Internal Medicine  Camino Medical Group Internal Medicine  Camino Medical Group Internal Medicine  Camino Medical Group Mountain View Clinic  Camino Medical Group Urgent Care  Camino Medical Group Urgent Care  Camino Medical Group Mountain View Clinic  Camino Medical Group Mountain View Clinic  Camino Medical Group Mountain View Clinic  Camino Medical Group Mountain View Clinic  Camino Medical Group  Camino Medical Group Mountain View Clinic  Camino Medical Group Mountain View Clinic  Camino Medical Group Urgent Care  Lawrence A Epstein MD  Munir Javed MD  Barbara Borbon Campbell MD  Kenny K Chen MD  Anne E Cole MD  Barbara Borbon Campbell MD  Michael S Greenfield MD  Jane I Lee MD  Josephine A Magnuson MD  Manoukian Medical Group  Manoukian Medical Group  Cesar R Molina MD INC  South Drive Medical Clinic  Andre L Zanger MD  Frascino Medical Group  David A Lewis MD  David A Lewis MD  Edward A Plonka MD  Thomas Hsu MD  Drs Sheila & Simon Humphries  Drs Sheila & Simon Humphries  Kaiser Permanente Medical Group Cardiology  Good Health Medical Center  Kaiser Permanente Medical Group Cardiology  Kaiser Permanente Medical Group Cardiology  Kaiser Permanente Medical Group Cardiology  Kaiser Permanente Medical Group Cardiology  Santa Clara Medical Center Internal Medicine  Foothill Medical Clinic  Camino Medical Group Santa Clara Clinic  Camino Medical Group Santa Clara Clinic  Camino Medical Group Santa Clara Clinic  Camino Medical Group Santa Clara Clinic  Camino Medical Group Santa Clara Clinic  Camino Medical Group Santa Clara Clinic  Camino Medical Group Santa Clara Clinic  Palo Alto Medical Foundation Los Altos  Camino Medical Group West Valley Clinic  Palo Alto Medical Foundation Los Altos  Palo Alto Medical Foundation Los Altos  Camino Medical Group West Valley Clinic  Palo Alto Medical Foundation Los Altos  Camino Medical Group West Valley Clinic  Palo Alto Medical Foundation Los Altos  Camino Medical Group West Valley Clinic  Frank D Shin MD  Green Oaks Medical Center PC  Yoonjung Cho MD & Kisuk J Cho MD  Yoonjung Cho MD & Kisuk J Cho MD  Family Care Medical Group  New Era Medical Clinic  Saratoga Medical Clinic  Alexander Korsunsky MD  Sang Ki Lee MD  Leewen Liu MD  Shen Medicine & Pediatrics Associates  Alan S Wong MD Sunnyvale, 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 Sunnyvale
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