A doctor may refer someone to a nephrologist if they believe that the person shows signs of kidney problems, such as kidney disease, infections, or growths.
What are the first signs of kidney problems?
Signs of Kidney Disease
- You’re more tired, have less energy or are having trouble concentrating. …
- You’re having trouble sleeping. …
- You have dry and itchy skin. …
- You feel the need to urinate more often. …
- You see blood in your urine. …
- Your urine is foamy. …
- You’re experiencing persistent puffiness around your eyes.
What does nephrologist do on first visit?
On your first visit, your nephrologist will gather information from you. He or she will review your medical history, and do a complete physical exam. To determine how your kidneys are functioning, he or she will order blood and urine tests. A kidney ultrasound may be required, and additional studies may be necessary.
How does a nephrologist examine you?
Your nephrologist will review your medical history, and do a complete physical exam to determine how your kidneys are functioning. Your nephrologist will order blood and urine tests and a diagnostic imaging of your kidneys may also be required.
How do I prepare for a nephrologist appointment?
bring an updated list of medications. bring a list of any questions/concerns you have. if you have had lab work don at an outside location, make us aware at the visit. if you check your blood pressure at home, bring your blood pressure cuff to the visit so we can check your cuff.
Is drinking a lot of water good for your kidneys?
Water helps the kidneys remove wastes from your blood in the form of urine. Water also helps keep your blood vessels open so that blood can travel freely to your kidneys, and deliver essential nutrients to them. But if you become dehydrated, then it is more difficult for this delivery system to work.
Can you have kidney failure and not know it?
People with early kidney disease may not know anything is wrong. They can’t feel the damage before any kidney function is lost. It happens slowly, and in stages. Early detection with the right treatment can slow kidney disease from getting worse.
What is the best thing to drink for your kidneys?
Water. Water is the best thing to drink for kidney health because it gives your kidneys the fluids they need to function well, without sugar, caffeine, or other additives that do not benefit your kidneys. Drink four to six glasses of water every day for optimal kidney health.
Should I see a nephrologist or urologist?
While a nephrologist focuses on diseases and conditions that affect the kidney more directly, a urologist focuses on diseases and conditions that can affect the male and female urinary tract. The urinary tract includes the kidneys, but also several other parts such as the ureters, bladder, and urethra.
How do I find a good nephrologist?
Choosing a Nephrologist
- Look for a doctor who treats your specific type of kidney disease (i.e. glomerular disease).
- Find out whether the doctor participates in your health insurance plan. …
- Talk to others who may have been treated for kidney disease or check with your primary care physician for a referral.
Does a nephrologist do surgery?
When necessary, a nephrologist may perform a kidney biopsy in order to better determine what is wrong with the kidneys. However, a nephrologist is not a surgeon and typically does not perform operations.
What’s the difference between a nephrologist and a urologist?
To summarize, nephrologists specifically treat diseases that affect the kidneys and their ability to function, such as diabetes or kidney failure. Urologists treat conditions of the urinary tract, including those that can be affected by the kidneys such as kidney stones and obstruction.
What is the main difference between a urologist and nephrologist?
It’s easy to understand that urologists specialize in issues related to the bladder, penis, testicle, urinary tract and male reproductive system while nephrologists specialize in issues related to the kidneys.
What diseases does a nephrologist treat?
The Nephrology Clinic specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of kidney disorders such as:
- Amyloidosis. …
- Diabetic kidney disorder. …
- Electrolyte disorders. …
- Glomerulonephritis. …
- Hypertension (chronic hypertension) …
- Kidney disease.
Is kidney failure curable?
There is no cure for kidney failure, but with treatment it is possible to live a long life. Having kidney failure is not a death sentence. People with kidney failure live active lives and continue to do the things they love.
Do kidneys repair themselves?
It was thought that kidney cells didn’t reproduce much once the organ was fully formed, but new research shows that the kidneys are regenerating and repairing themselves throughout life.
Can kidney failure happen suddenly?
Without functioning kidneys, the person’s life is at risk. Acute (sudden) kidney failure is the name of this problem. Most people with chronic kidney failure gradually lose the function of their kidneys. In people with acute kidney failure, though, kidney failure develops rapidly over a few hours or a few days.
What drinks are bad for kidneys?
Sodas. According to the American Kidney Fund, a recent study suggests that drinking two or more carbonated sodas, diet or regular, each day may increase your risk for chronic kidney disease. Carbonated and energy drinks have both been linked to the formation of kidney stones.
What foods are hard on your kidneys?
Here are 17 foods that you should likely avoid on a renal diet.
- Dark-colored soda. In addition to the calories and sugar that sodas provide, they harbor additives that contain phosphorus, especially dark-colored sodas. …
- Avocados. …
- Canned foods. …
- Whole wheat bread. …
- Brown rice. …
- Bananas. …
- Dairy. …
- Oranges and orange juice.
What medications should be avoided with kidney disease?
What medications to avoid with kidney disease
- Pain medications also known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) …
- Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) …
- Cholesterol medications (statins) …
- Antibiotic medications. …
- Diabetes medications. …
- Antacids. …
- Herbal supplements and vitamins. …
- Contrast dye.
What questions should I ask my nephrologist?
Questions to ask your nephrologist (kidney doctor)
- What should I expect from ESRD treatment?
- When should I expect to feel better?
- Will I be on dialysis for the rest of my life?
- How can I get the most out of my treatment?
- Is there anything I may experience that I should contact you about?
What color is urine when your kidneys are failing?
When kidneys are failing, the increased concentration and accumulation of substances in urine lead to a darker color which may be brown, red or purple. The color change is due to abnormal protein or sugar, high levels of red and white blood cells, and high numbers of tube-shaped particles called cellular casts.
How big are the kidneys?
Normally, kidneys are about the size of a fist or 10 to 12 cm (about 5 inches). Kidney atrophy means that the kidney is smaller than normal.