Hyperkalemia Center - Torrance, CATorrance 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 Torrance * Joseph Ford MD  Toshiyuki Tanaka MD  Medical Institute of Little Company of Mary Torrance  Medical Institute of Little Company of Mary Torrance  Norma M Maala Sarao MD  Duke M Chang MD  John Doherty MD  HealthCare Partners South Bay-Sepulveda Office  Thomas S Lin MD  Thomas S Lin MD  Atlas Pain Management Medical Corporation  HealthCare Partners Medical Group Torrance Specialty  HealthCare Partners Medical Group Torrance Specialty  HealthCare Partners Medical Group Torrance Specialty  HealthCare Partners Medical Group Torrance Specialty  HealthCare Partners Medical Group Torrance Specialty  HealthCare Partners Medical Group Torrance Specialty  HealthCare Partners Medical Group Torrance Specialty  HealthCare Partners Medical Group Torrance Specialty  HealthCare Partners Medical Group Torrance Specialty  Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Institute Urgent Care  Khaja R Ahmed MD  Iraj Akhlaghi MD  Haydee T Arboleda MD  Drs Inadomi & Sawelson  Hosayn Khaleeli MD  Moyeen Khaleeli MD  Curtis G Lee MD  California Heart and Vascular Institute  Mridula Kedia MD  Sunny Melendez MD  Drs Brown & Mohamadi  Drs Inadomi & Sawelson  Christopher M Tsuneishi MD  Roberto T Unguez MD  Robert M Webman MD  Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Institute Urgent Care  HealthCare Partners Medical Group  Karen Black MD  Richard M Butlig MD Inc  Mohan Khurana MD  David O Kim MD  Nam M Lai MD  Barbara Ann Lebron MD  J Raymond Li MD  Milefchik Rand Medical Group  Valerie Margeta MD  Milefchik Rand Medical Group  California Hematology Oncology Medical Group  Aruna Ramayya MD  Milefchik Rand Medical Group  Joel Ringold MD  Osato Medical Clinic  Beatrice Wu MD  Sittiporn Boontung MD  Ranjit S Grewal MD  Digestive Care Consultants  Torrance Memorial Medical Center  Digestive Care Consultants  Torrance Memorial Medical Center  HealthCare Partners Medical Group  Healthcare Partners  Andrew Yuh-Fong Lin MD  Behzad Noorian MD  Digestive Care Consultants  Healthcare Partners  Hicham Siouty MD  Cancer Care Associates Medical Group  Peninsula Pulmonary Medical Associates  Drs Kuraishi & Brown  ID Med  ID Med  South Bay Family Medical Group  Peninsula Pulmonary Medical Associates  ID Med  South Bay Family Medical Group  ID Med  South Bay Family Medical Group  South Bay Family Medical Group  ID Med  Azhar Muttalib MD & Meena Oberoi MD  Azhar Muttalib MD & Meena Oberoi MD  Judi Goldstone MD  Western Medical Group  Western Medical Group  Western Medical Group  Cor Healthcare Medical Associates  Cor Healthcare Medical Associates  Hong G Ahn MD  Soma Medical Group  Innley Medical Inc  Zong L Tsai MD  John P Armato MD  David Bloom MD  HealthCare Partners Medical Group Redondo Beach  Little Company of Mary Hospital  Little Company of Mary Family Medical Center  HealthCare Partners Medical Group Redondo Beach  Brian M Gee MD  Little Company of Mary Hospital Torrance, CaliforniaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-10
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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 Torrance
Nearby Torrance Hospitals *Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance Torrance Memorial Medical Center Del Amo Hospital LAC Harbor UCLA Medical Center Kaiser Permanente South Bay Medical Center Vista Hospital of South Bay Memorial Hospital of Gardena Los Angeles Metropolitan Medical Center Hawthorne Campus Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center San Pedro Centinela Freeman Regional Medical Center Centinela Campus Martin Luther King Jr MAC Service Center Pacific Hospital of Long Beach Long Beach Memorial Medical Center Miller Children's Hospital St Mary Medical Center St Francis Medical Center Kindred Hospital Los Angeles Promise Hospital of East Los Angeles Suburban Medical Center Campus Lakewood Regional Medical Center Marina Del Rey Hospital Community Hospital of Long Beach Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center Bellflower Medical Center Community Hospital of Huntington Park Brotman Medical Center Kaiser Permanente Downey Medical Center VA Long Beach Healthcare System Downey Regional Medical Center Los Angeles Metropolitan Medical Center Orthopaedic Medical Center Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles Medical Center College Hospital Cerritos California Hospital Medical Center Coast Plaza Doctors Hospital Tri-City Regional Medical Center Miracle Mile Medical Center Olympia Medical Center Los Angeles Community Hospital Good Samaritan Hospital Saint John's Health Center Santa Monica UCLA Medical Center VA Greater Los Angeles HealthCare System East Los Angeles Doctors Hospital Los Alamitos Medical Center Promise Hospital of East Los Angeles St Vincent Medical Center Shriners Hospitals for Children Los Angeles White Memorial Medical Center Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Norwalk Community Hospital Kaiser Mental Health Center Pacific Alliance Medical Center Temple Community Hospital Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center UCLA Neuropsychiatric Hospital LAC + USC Medical Center LAC + USC Medical Center Women's & Children's Hospital Metropolitan State Hospital Barlow Respiratory Hospital USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center La Palma Intercommunity Hospital USC University Hospital Gateways Hospital & Mental Health Center Hollywood Community Hospital Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center Childrens Hospital Los Angeles Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center Beverly Hospital Monterey Park Hospital Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital Anaheim General Hospital Kindred Hospital La Mirada West Anaheim Medical Center Garfield Medical Center Kindred Hospital Westminster 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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