Hyperkalemia Center - Woodland, CAWoodland 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 Woodland * Woodland Healthcare Clinic Internal Medicine  Woodland Healthcare Clinic Internal Medicine  Woodland Healthcare Clinic Internal Medicine  Woodland Healthcare Clinic Family Practice D & E  Woodland Healthcare Clinic Internal Medicine  Woodland Healthcare Clinic Internal Medicine  Woodland Healthcare Clinic Internal Medicine  Woodland Clinic  Sutter West Medical Group Internal Medicine  Sutter West Medical Group Internal Medicine  Sutter West Medical Group Internal Medicine  Sutter West Medical Group Internal Medicine  Sutter West Medical Group Internal Medicine  Sutter West Medical Group Internal Medicine  UC Davis Medical Group Davis  UC Davis Specialty Clinic  Lawrence S Paikof MD  Lawrence S Paikof MD  University of CA Davis Student Health Services  William D Silkworth Memorial Fund & Clinic  University of CA Davis Student Health Services  Occupational Health Clinic  North Natomas Medical Center  US Health Works  Cares Center for Aids Research  Thomas W Hopkins MD  Cares Center for Aids Research  Cares Center for Aids Research  Wu & Pan Medical Associates  Katherine Cheng MD  Medical Weight Loss  Douglas Young MD  Maxine Barish Wreden MD  Sutter Medical Group Internal Medicine  Sutter Medical Group Internal Medicine  Sutter Medical Group Hospitalists  Sutter Medical Group Internal Medicine  Sutter Medical Group Internal Medicine  Rhonda M Ware MD  Sutter Medical Group Internal Medicine  Maxine Barish Wreden MD  Sutter Medical Group Internal Medicine  Sutter Medical Group Hospitalists  Maxine Barish Wreden MD  Sutter Medical Group Hospitalists  Sutter Medical Group Hospitalists  Sutter Medical Group Sutter Square  UC Davis Medical Group  Sutter Medical Group Hospitalists  UC Davis Medical Group  Sacrmento Center For Hematology & Oncology  Sutter Medical Group Hospitalists  UC Davis Medical Group  UC Davis Medical Group  UC Davis Medical Group  UC Davis Medical Group  Sutter Medical Group Hospitalists  UC Davis Medical Group  Sutter Medical Group Sutter Square  Sutter Medical Group Hospitalists  UC Davis Medical Group  UC Davis Medical Group  Mercy Medical Group Internal Medicine  Mercy Medical Group Internal Medicine  General Hospital and Methodist  Mercy Medical Group Internal Medicine  Mercy Medical Group Internal Medicine  Mercy Medical Group Internal Medicine  Mercy Medical Group Internal Medicine  Sutter Health Alhambra Internal Medicine  Michael L Catapano MD  Sutter Health Alhambra Internal Medicine  Sutter Health Alhambra Internal Medicine  Sutter Health Alhambra Internal Medicine  Kaiser Permanente Medical Group  Lakshmi S Ramanujam MD  Huong Bach MD  UC Davis Medical Group Internal & General Medicine  UC Davis Medical Group Internal Medicine  UC Davis Medical Group Internal & General Medicine  UC Davis Medical Group Internal & General Medicine  UC Davis Medical Group Internal & General Medicine  UC Davis Medical Group Internal & General Medicine  UC Davis Division of Pulmonary Internal Medicine  UC Davis Medical Group Internal Medicine  UC Davis Medical Group Internal & General Medicine  UC Davis Medical Group Internal Medicine  UC Davis Medical Group Internal & General Medicine  Mercy General Hospital  UC Davis Medical Group Internal & General Medicine  UC Davis Medical Group Internal Medicine  Mercy General Hospital  UC Davis Medical Group Internal & General Medicine  UC Davis Medical Group Internal & General Medicine  UC Davis Medical Center  Michael Hogarth MD  UC Davis Medical Center  UC Davis Internal Medicine Dept  UC Davis Internal Medicine Dept  UC Davis Internal Medicine Dept Woodland, CaliforniaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-03
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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 Woodland
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