Hyperkalemia Center - Visalia, CAVisalia 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 Visalia * Family Healthcare Network  Min Shung Wu MD  Jaime De La Cerna MD  Thanit Hasadsri MD  Renal Medical Group  Elsa L Lerro MD  Onsy I Said MD  Harvey J Hecht MD  David Heaney MD  Dennis Johnson MD  Magdy Maksy MD  Tulare County Health & Human Services  James M Mohs MD  Adolph Nava MD  Anca M Petrascu MD  Visalia Medical Clinic Inc  Visalia Medical Clinic Inc  Visalia Medical Clinic Inc  Visalia Medical Clinic Inc  Visalia Medical Clinic Inc  Ching-Tsungr Chiu MD  Tulare Community Health Clinic  Tulare Community Health Clinic  Tulare Community Health Clinic  Tulare Community Health Clinic  Tulare Community Health Clinic  Anil Patel MD  Jatinder Chopra MD  VMC Lindsay Medical Group  VMC Lindsay Medical Group  Glenn C Kissinger MD  Dinuba Rural Health Medical Center  Sarvamitra Awasthi MD  James E Dean MD  James E Dean MD  Barbara L Ackerman MD & Daniel L Engeberg MD  David F Glossbrenner MD  Pixley Medical Clinic  Carlos Santivanez MD  Ashok Verma MD  Greenfield Medical Group  Melody G Dumlao MD  Brian A Reyes MD  Elif Tokcan MD  Vinay Buttan MD  Ravi A Reddy MD  John Gavini MD  Sierra Foothills Medical Group Inc  John Gavini MD  John Gavini MD  Drs Pagulayan-Sy & Menor  Drs Pagulayan-Sy & Menor  Harpreet S Sandhu  Vladimir Kroupa MD  Intisab Sultan MD  Jae R Kim MD  Kil W Kim MD  Tarlochan Tagore MD  Bautista Medical Group  Ara K Soghomonian MD  Health Valley Medical Group Inc  Arturo Abalos MD  Central Cardiology Medical Clinic  Drs Bansal & Patel  Drs Bansal & Patel  Drs Bansal & Patel  Ricardo Bernadino MD  Alberto L Acevedo MD  Chandrasekaran Clinic  Gursharan S Saini MD FCCP  Kern Valley State Prison - Medical Department  Kern Valley State Prison - Medical Department  Kern Valley State Prison - Medical Department  Adult Health Center  University Medical Center  Adult Health Center  Sequoia Community Health Center  Drs Clyde & Godiksen  George C Molina MD  Samuel B Rush MD  Adolfo Silva MD  Clinton Medical Clinic  Aijit Singh Khaira MD  Robb Smith MD  Valley Family Medical Clinic  Community Medical Providers  Fresno Pediatrics  Joseph C Woo Jr. MD  Hing Luong MD  Than A Aw MD  David A Palmore & Michael W Gromis MDs  Alex Habibe MD Inc  David A Palmore & Michael W Gromis MDs  Chiu-Lap Tsang MD  Rustom & Shireen Damania MD  Manabir Singh MD  VA Medical Center  Peachwood Medical  Peachwood Medical Group  Peachwood Medical Visalia, CaliforniaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-17
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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 Visalia
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