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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is a Nephrologist?
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.
What conditions do Nephrologists treat?
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
What are the qualifications of a Nephrologist?
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.
What are the subspecialties of a Nephrologist?
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.
What diagnostic tests are required by a Nephrologist?
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
When should you visit a Nephrologist?
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
What can you expect from your first visit with a Nephrologist?
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.