Nephrology
Dr.Charan Bale
Nephrologist/Renal Specialist
Dr. Sushil Chavan
Nephrologist
Nephrology overview
What is a nephrologist?
Healthy kidneys are vital to our well-being. Systemic disorders like Diabetes and hypertension might lead to renal damage. Kidneys are the waste filtration system of the body as millions of blood vessels filter blood to remove waste. Higher levels of blood glucose and blood pressure associated with Diabetes damage kidneys, decreasing their filtering ability. Overwork causes the filtering system to break down. Waste products build-up resulting in kidney disease (Nephropathy). Nephrologists are focused on diagnosing and treating kidney diseases. They are field experts in identifying the diseases that can potentially affect the kidney functions and how dysfunctioning of the kidney can affect other organs of the body. Your general physician will ask you to consult a kidney disease specialist if they witness symptoms of severe kidney conditions for further diagnoses and timely treatment. Nephrology is a branch of medical science that deals with normal functioning as well as the diseases of the kidneys. It deals with preventing and treating renal damage.
Which medical conditions do they treat?
Nephrologists specialize in all ailments related to the kidney and the vital function that are correlated with it. As a top kidney disease hospital, our team of nephrologists can treat complex medical cases related to the kidney that include:
● Advanced or chronic kidney disease
● Kidney failure
● Blood or protein in the urine
● Nephrotic syndrome
● Polycystic kidney disease
● Kidney stones
● Hemolytic uremic syndrome
● Renal artery stenosis
● Kidney cancer
● Interstitial nephritis
Kidney disease specialists also keep a tab on various other comorbidities such as diabetes, heart disease and autoimmune conditions that might impact kidney functions.
The diseases that come under the scope of nephrology include:-
1. Glomerular disorders that affect the tiny filtering systems of the kidneys called the glomerulus
2. Urine abnormalities such as excess excretion of protein, sugar, blood, casts, crystals, etc indicating Nephrotic and nephritic syndrome.
3. Tubulointerstitial diseases affecting the tubules in the kidneys
4. Renal vascular diseases affecting the blood vessel networks within the kidneys
5. Renal failure that can be sudden or acute kidney disease and long term or chronic kidney disease
6. Kidney infections
7. Effects of diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure on kidneys
8. Acid-base and electrolyte disturbances
9. Ill effects of drugs and toxins on the kidneys
10. Dialysis and its long term complications – dialysis includes hemodialysis as well as peritoneal dialysis
11. Autoimmune diseases including autoimmune vasculitis, lupus, etc.
12. Polycystic kidneys diseases where large cysts or fluid-filled sacs are formed within the kidney impairing its functions – this is a congenital condition
What procedures do they perform?
Nephrologists perform various medical procedures to examine kidneys. Some of the procedures performed by nephrologists include:
● Biopsy: to assess and identify kidney conditions and complications
● Hemodialysis: filtering blood through an artificial kidney machine
● Kidney transplant: removing or replacing parts of the affected kidney
Causes of Kidney Diseases
Kidneys are responsible for eliminating waste and excess fluids from the blood. The most common causes for chronic kidney disease are diabetes, hypertension, obesity, family history of kidney problems, high cholesterol and prolonged use of drugs. Infection due to e-coli bacteria, inflammation of the urinary tract, severe dehydration, toxic exposure to pollutants and side-effects of certain medications can also lead to various kidney-related problems.
Symptoms of Kidney Diseases
When kidneys lose their function, waste and water are built up in the blood, causing various symptoms. Symptoms aren’t very obvious when it comes to kidney diseases, especially for diabetic patients. However, some of the warning signs that might need attention are:
● Anaemia
● Headaches
● Passing less urine
● Changes in urine colour
● Upset stomach
● Feeling faint and dizzy
● Itching of the skin
● Loss of appetite
● Muscle cramps
● Swelling of the face
Consult the best nephrologist in Pune immediately if you have more than one symptom backed with a family history of chronic kidney disease.
Diagnosis of Kidney Diseases
Nephrologists perform a variety of procedures to detect kidney conditions. Some of the broad range of tests performed by nephrologists include:
● Blood test: Serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, Glomerular filtration rate
● Urine tests: Urinalysis,microalbumin, creatinine clearances
● Imaging tests: CT scan, X-rays, ultrasound
Prevention of Kidney Diseases
The most common causes that contribute to kidney diseases are diabetes and high blood pressure. Lead a healthy lifestyle to keep the risk of chronic kidney disease at bay. There are multiple preventive measures you can take to keep your kidneys healthy:
● Stay active and exercise regularly
● Periodic creatinine level check
● Stay hydrated and drink plenty of water
● Opt for preventive checkups in case of a family history of kidney disease
● Avoid junk food and other snacks that are high in salt
Constant monitoring of one’s sugar levels and blood pressure is one of the primary factors preventing kidney disease. Approach the best nephrologist in Pune immediately if you witness any urinary tract infection as they may damage your kidneys if left untreated.
When to see a nephrologist or kidney doctor/specialist?
Your general practitioner is often likely to refer you to a nephrologist if you have any symptoms or any infections in the urinary tract. Besides, suppose you have hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart disease or a family history of kidney issues. In that case, you should consult a nephrologist and perform routine tests to detect any problems in your kidney and treat them at the earliest.
Nephrology Treatments or services at Chellaram Hospital
Non-invasive investigative facilities available in the Nephrology department:
1. Physical examination
2. Blood tests
3. Urine analysis
4. Ultrasound scanning
5. Renal biopsy
6. Intravenous urography (IVU)
7. Renal Angiography
Why Chellaram Hospital is Best for treatment of Nephrology Treatment
● Chellaram Hospital has state of the art maintenance Dialysis department.
● During Dialysis at Chellaram Hospital, a certified team with years of experience attending to ensure smooth and safe Dialysis.
● Till date approximately 6000 Dialysis procedure
● We have an experienced team of Nephrologists in our Nephrology Department treating all Diabetes related kidney disease & other complications.
FAQ’s
What does a nephrologist do on your first visit?
On your first visit to a kidney disease specialist, your doctor will review your medical and family history to diagnose the risk of kidney problems. Post the physical examination. A nephrologist might suggest routine blood and urine tests to diagnose and define a treatment plan. You must ensure to enlist all the symptoms to your nephrologist along with any concerns you may have to help them arrive at a proper diagnosis.
What is the difference between an urologist and a nephrologist?
Nephrologists specialize in treating ailments related to kidney function, whereas
urologists specialize in conditions related to the urinary tract and male reproductive organs. However, in the cases where urinary tract infections lead to kidney disease, a team of urologist and nephrologist work together to address the issues. Often, in kidney transplant surgeries, urologists and nephrologists both are involved.
What foods help repair kidneys?
Food intake is crucial and some of the foods that can help in repairing kidneys and
maintaining the body’s mineral requirements. Some of the foods that help repair kidneys
include:
● Apples
● Garlic
● Cabbage
● Berries
● Beans
● Onions
● Egg whites
● Fish
● Grapes
● Cauliflower
Is drinking a lot of water good for your kidneys?
Water helps your kidneys to remove waste in the form of urine. Dehydration can lead to kidney damage and impair body functions. Thus, drinking sufficient amounts of water
keeps your kidneys in a healthy state. However, drinking too much water can backfire as your kidneys might not be able to get rid of excess water leading to the dilution of sodium content in your body.
What are the signs of dying from kidney failure?
There are five stages to kidney failure, depending on the glomerular filtration rate. In the 5th and last stage, also known as the established renal failure, the chances of mortality increase significantly. Some of the stages observed in the 5th stage of kidney failure include bruising easily, numbness in hands and feet, bad breath, frequent nosebleeds, sleeping problems and oedema in hands and legs.