Nephrology

Nephrology is a branch of medicine that treats kidney conditions. Doctors who work in this field are called nephrologists. A nephrologist may have a team of medical providers who work with them including nurse practitioners or physician assistants. They are all trained in kidney care and work together to provide the best possible care.

Request nephrology treatment today: call 810-238-4172 or request more information online.

What is Nephrology?

Nephrology focuses on diseases and problems of the kidneys. Your kidneys are two organs about the size of your fists located in your abdomen, closer to the back than the stomach. The kidneys are responsible for balancing electrolytes (like salt and potassium) and working to filter unnecessary products from your blood. Your kidneys remove these products from your body in the form of urine.

Nephrologists may treat temporary medical conditions or long-term kidney disease. Most nephrologists are trained in internal medicine and then specialize with additional years of study in nephrology.

Examples of the kidney conditions that nephrologists treat include:

• Glomerular disorders (problems with the kidney’s blood vessels)
• Tubular disorders (problems with the tubes that collect urine)
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Dialysis
• Kidney failure
• Kidney cancer
• Chronic kidney disease
• Kidney transplantation
• Metabolic disorders and more

Nephrology Treatment

In most cases, you will be referred to a nephrologist by your primary health provider if he or she finds a problem. Nephrology treatment can range from simple diagnosis to major surgery, depending on the kidney condition that is present. If a kidney problem is recurring or very serious, seeing a nephrologist on a regular basis. Serious or recurring nephrology conditions include:

• Repeated kidney infections
• Sudden renal failure
• High blood pressure that doesn’t respond to medications
• Stage 4 or 5 of chronic kidney disease
• Repeated kidney stones
• Blood or protein in the urine
• Sudden or rapid decline in kidney function

The goal of nephrology treatment is to retain as much kidney function as possible. Your nephrologist may work with other healthcare providers like nutritionists, nurses or other medical specialists to create a kidney treatment plan that’s right for you.

Find out more about kidney treatment today: call 810-238-4172 or request more information online.