Best Nephrologist & Doctors in Kochi, India Share & Compare Reviews, Ratings, Feedbacks

A doctor who specializes in kidney disease diagnosis and treatment is called a Nephrologist. They are also educated on how to control the effects of renal disease on the rest of the body.

Nephrologists can help the patient in designing a management plan to help them overcome renal failure. If detected and treated early enough, kidney damage may even be completely treated and reversed.

Most chronic health disorders associated with the human body make the chances of kidney failure high. Diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and high blood pressure are all conditions that can lead to kidney disease.

Anemia, osteoporosis, a weaker immune system, and an irregular pulse can all be symptoms of chronic kidney disease which might require seeking out a nephrologist who can treat and manage these kidney problems.

A nephrologist can work collectively with the patient to diagnose the root cause of their health problems and help manage or cure them.

Some of the health issues that can be managed by nephrologists are:

• polycystic kidney disease
• hemolytic uremic syndrome
• renal artery stenosis
• blood or protein in the urine
• chronic kidney disease
• nephrotic syndrome
• end-stage kidney disease
• kidney failure, both acute and chronic
• kidney stones which can also be treated by a urologist
• kidney infections
• kidney swelling due to glomerulonephritis or interstitial nephritis
• kidney cancer

A nephrologist can play a vital role in cases where some other disease is the major cause behind kidney disease or dysfunction such as:

• high blood pressure
• heart disease
• autoimmune conditions
• diabetes
• medications

The qualifications required to become a nephrologist are mentioned below:

• An individual must first graduate medical school i.e, complete their MBBS bachelor’s degree for a four-year program.
• They'll need to finish a three-year residency in internal medicine after completing their medical degree. A residency program allows young doctors to get more training and education and get hands-on experience in their field.
• After getting proper training and qualification in internal medicine, an individual must complete a two-year fellowship in nephrology in which they will learn the necessary knowledge and clinical abilities for this specialty.

Some nephrologists can opt to further specialize in a certain area of internal medicine and nephrology. Additional training and research fellowships in nephrology are necessary in this case.

Some of the most prevalent and prevalent nephrology subspecialties include:

• Kidney dialysis- may require arteriovenous fistula surgery
• Critical care nephrology
• Interventional nephrology- using ultrasound-guided procedures
• Kidney transplantation
• Onconephrology- includes cancer-related kidney diseases
• Pediatric nephrology

Nephrologists work in a variety of sectors of medicine, including internal medicine, transplant medicine, critical care medicine, clinical pharmacology, and perioperative medicine, and can also provide care to patients who do not have renal diseases.

A nephrologist may order certain diagnostic tests and procedures to pinpoint a specific problem in the patient including:

Tests:

• Rate of glomerular filtration: This test determines how effectively your kidneys filter the blood.
• Creatinine value: Creatinine is a waste product that is found in higher concentrations in the blood of patients who have kidney disease.
• Nitrogen Urea in the blood: High amounts of Nitrogen urea in blood can indicate renal failure.
• Urinalysis: This urine sample can be examined for pH as well as abnormal quantities of blood, glucose, protein, or bacteria using a dipstick.
• albumin-to-creatinine ratio: A measurement of how much albumin is present in the urine. Kidney failure can be identified by the presence of albumin in the urine.
• Clearance of Creatinine: The amount of creatinine found in the patient’s blood sample and a 24-hour urine sample.

A nephrologist may carry out or collaborate with other medical specialists to carry out the following procedures:

• kidney biopsies
• kidney transplants
• CT Scans
• MRI
• Ultrasound

Usually, a general health care physician refers the patient to a nephrologist in case of special assistance and care required for preventing and treating renal disease in its early stages. However, these early stages may not have any symptoms or may have nonspecific symptoms like exhaustion, sleep issues, and changes in urination frequency.

Regular testing is extremely important to keep a track of kidney function, which is especially important if you're at risk for renal disease.

People with the below-mentioned signs and symptoms fall in the high-risk category:

• diabetes
• heart disease
• high blood pressure
• History of kidney problems in family

Signs of declining kidney function, such as a lower GFR or a higher quantity of albumin in your urine, can be detected by prior diagnostic testing. In case of rapid or persistent decline in kidney function, you may visit a nephrologist.

A general physician can also refer you to a doctor in cases of the following:

• Chronic kidney disease in advanced stage
• Frequent amounts of blood or protein in your urine
• Recurring cases of kidney stones
• high blood pressure that’s still high even though you’re taking medications
• kidney disease of rare or inherited kind

On the day of the first visit with the renal doctor you can expect the following:

• The nephrologist will go over your medical history to learn about your signs and symptoms, risk factors, and any other health conditions that may be affecting your kidney health.
• You will also be given blood and urine tests to aid in the diagnosis or confirmation of renal disease.
• More tests may be ordered if found necessary by your specialist.
• Your kidney doctor will give you an official diagnosis and clarify the stage of CKD you have.
• A nephrologist will also discuss the first steps to be followed in your care and treatment plan with you.
• Depending on your clinical stage and health condition, you may be referred to other specialists along with a nephrologist to provide the best treatment.

A doctor that is best for one person may not be best for another. The definition of best is ever-evolving based on many factors such as personal preferences, type of illness and cruciality of the disease. It is extremely important to pay attention to all the factors while finalizing a healthcare provider as it may be a matter of life and death. For some people, the definition of best revolves around finding doctors that are certified and have years of experience in a clinical setting. Some patients look for specialized doctors for their disease to receive flawless care, while others opt for general physicians as they can recommend a person to the specialist in case the need arises. The preferred way of choosing a doctor is to ask for recommendations from neighbours, friends and relatives. This method can provide a seal of trust along with genuine recommendations. The other way to find the best doctor is to start looking for one in your locality or nearby so that travelling time is reduced. People nowadays also look for online reviews and ratings of a healthcare provider before actually visiting them.

The search for the right doctor can be made easier by following these simple steps:

• Finding the doctors located nearby : The search always starts from your locality. A patient tries to look for doctors in their vicinity and the key to selecting the best doctor is to conduct a simple search in your nearby blocks. You can seek out a physician or surgeon in your neighbourhood close to your home. When travel time is minimised, the point of contact becomes easier, and the entire treatment procedure becomes considerably smoother.
• Clinical expertise to meet the specific health needs : It is possible to narrow down your list of providers, once it is clear what problem you are dealing with. In the clinical field, there are several medical specialities and subspecialties that a patient can look for. The most popular ones include Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, and General Practice. There are also paediatricians, or paediatric doctors, who can serve as your child's primary care physician. Find a doctor who meets your healthcare needs and has a solid reputation among prior patients.
• Referrals can work wonders : It is more comfortable to book an appointment with a doctor who has been suggested by friends, family, or neighbours since it carries the seal of trust and confidence of someone you know. You can find the correct physician by asking around among your friends and acquaintances. If you already see a general practitioner, they may be able to recommend you to a specialist.
• Ask practical questions : Asking inquiries such as when is the best time for you to see a doctor? Is the doctor's office close to your home or is it a long distance away? Is the care provider equipped with all of the resources that may be required for your treatment?

When a patient starts looking for a healthcare provider, they are essentially looking for one who excels in their skills and medical expertise. Additionally, the online reviews and ratings of the provider also play a major role now that patients are becoming digitally active and paying attention to details. The value of healthcare in Kochi is being enhanced by doctors and surgeons with their experience of treating a wide range of disorders and providing comfort to patients. Patients in Kochi frequently seek out the following types of doctors:

• General Physician
• Chiropractor
• Neurologist
• Orthopaedist
• Obstetrics & Gynaecologist
• Reproductive Medicine specialist
• Gastroenterologist
• Hepatologist
• Paediatrician & Neonatologist
• Cardiologist
• Urologist
• Nephrologist
• E N T specialist
• Dentist
• Rheumatologist
• Endocrinologist
• Pulmonologist
• Ophthalmologist
• Dermatologist
• Anaesthesiologist & Critical Care specialist
• Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon
• Oncologist
• Cardiothoracic Surgeon
• Laparoscopic Surgeon
• Physiotherapist
• Psychiatrist
• Clinical Psychologist
• Microbiologist
• Histopathologist
• Radiologist

The treatment in Kochi can be prominently divided into three vertices i.e. Allopathy, Ayurveda, and homoeopathy. All three vertices are popular and known for their own benefits around the world. While ayurvedic treatments are more popular in the city of Kochi, The allopathic healthcare system is also strong and attracts a lot of medical tourists. Both the public and private sectors are well-equipped and have certified physicians to ensure that all patients receive high-quality care. Most of Kochi’s hospitals and clinics have modern infrastructure, making the city one of the fastest-growing healthcare hubs in the country. The following are the most popular therapies accessible in Kochi:

• Orthopaedics
• Obstetrics & Gynaecology
• Reproductive Medicine
• Paediatrics & Neonatology
• Gastroenterology
• Hepatology
• Neurosciences
• Cardiology
• Urology
• E N T
• Endocrinology
• Pulmonology
• Oncology
• Dental Sciences
• Dermatology
• Nephrology
• Ophthalmology
• Rheumatology
• Psychiatry
• Anaesthesia & Critical Care
• General Surgery
• Paediatric Surgery
• Gastrointestinal Surgery
• Neurosurgery
• Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
• Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
• Laparoscopic Surgery
• Thoracic Surgery
• Physiotherapy
• Clinical Psychology
• Audiology & Speech Therapy
• Pathology
• Microbiology
• Dietary Services

The doctors and surgeons in Kochi are well-educated and trained in their specific verticals. The level of expertise is decided by the years of experience of the doctor in the clinical field, hands-on training, and educational background. The city is full of both experienced as well as various budding doctors. The cost of consultation also varies based on the expertise of the doctor. It depends on the patient to choose the specialist that meets their needs. The expertise of the doctor is, therefore, relative to the requirement and experience of the patient.