How Is Kidney Pain Treated
Treatment of kidney pain depends on what condition is causing it. In order to pinpoint a cause, a number of tools are available to help your doctor make a diagnosis:
- Urinalysis: Checks for the presence of blood, excess white blood cells , proteins, and certain chemicals that are linked to various kidney disorders.
- Imaging tests:Ultrasound or a CT scan provides an image of the physical structure of the kidneys and urinary tract, sees if stones are present, and helps determine if blood flow is adequate.
What Does A Nephrologist Do
Sometimes called renal medicine, nephrology is a specialty within the internal medicine field related to kidney care. It is often connected with hypertension or high blood pressure.
Nephrologists are medical professionals who diagnose, treat, and manage acute and chronic kidney problems and diseases. They also treat associated issues like high blood pressure, fluid retention, and electrolyte and mineral imbalances. In addition, these specialists are in charge of kidney dialysis treatment â both hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis â and kidney transplants and their follow-up care.
Nephrologists are experts in renal health, and they work to identify issues with your kidneys to help you maintain good health. Your kidneys are important because they filter your blood to remove waste and toxins, and they monitor and balance the water, acid-base, and mineral ratios in the body.
Without proper filtering of the blood and balanced amounts of fluids and nutrients, your body can become an unhealthy environment. Having low-kidney function can put you at risk for chronic kidney disease, kidney failure, or end-stage renal disease, where you require dialysis regularly.
Seeing a nephrologist for your care puts you in the hands of experts who can recommend the best treatment plan. They stay up-to-date on medical advancements for your kidney condition to ensure that you have the most accurate and comprehensive care.
Kidney Stone Symptoms And When To See A Urologist
Kidney stones can happen to adults of any age and can be extremely inconvenient. If diagnosed early, stones can be treated more quickly. About 11% of men and 7% of women in the United States will experience a kidney stone at some point, and approximately half of those who experience kidney stones will get them again. Its important to know what the symptoms are, and when to see a urologist.
Kidney stones can be debilitating and painful . While a stone forms in the kidney, there may be no signs or symptoms. Most people start experiencing symptoms once the stone is formed and passes into the ureter . The most common kidney stone symptoms include:
You may be experiencing one or more of the above symptoms and think, Should I see a doctor? Are my symptoms that bad? You should make an appointment with a urologist when you experience any of the above symptoms for an extended period of time. If you are worried about your symptoms and think you may have kidney stones, dont hesitate to call and make an appointment. You should especially seek a urologist if you experience:
- Pain so extreme that its hard to move or get up
- Blood in the urine
- Consistent nausea and vomiting in combination with urination symptoms
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A Nephrologists Education And Training
In order to start on the path to becoming a nephrologist, you must first complete medical school. Medical school lasts four years and requires a prior bachelors degree.
After receiving your medical degree, youll need to complete a three-year residency that focuses on internal medicine. A residency allows new doctors to receive further training and education in a clinical setting and under the supervision of more senior clinicians.
Once certified in internal medicine, you must then complete a two-year fellowship in the nephrology specialty. This fellowship further hones the knowledge and clinical skills required for the specialty. After you complete your fellowship, you may take an exam to become board-certified in nephrology.
Nephrologists can work with you to help diagnose and treat the following conditions:
- blood or protein in urine
If youre visiting a nephrologist, they may be involved in performing a variety of tests and procedures or interpreting the results.
Risk Factors For Kidney Disease
Since kidney disease can become serious before symptoms are present, it’s important to have a high index of suspicion and be aware of conditions which predispose you to kidney disease. People who are at greater risk of developing renal failure include those with:
- Diabetes
- Long-standing high blood pressure
- Heart diseases such as coronary artery disease, or congestive heart failure
- Other vascular diseases such as cerebrovascular disease and peripheral vascular disease
- A family history of kidney disease
- Prolonged use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Advil and Celebrex
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When Do You Really Need To Start Seeing A Nephrologist
- Get link
urologist
| Image courtesy of Imagerymajestic/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net |
definitely by the time someone’s creatinine is high enough for them to be called CKD Stage 4. That would mean a GFR of less than 30. the risk of the patient progressing to dialysis, as well as the risk of death.preventiontreatment
What Is The Name Of The Port For Kidney Dialysis
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Should I See A Nephrologist Or A Urologist
by Steve Swearengin | Apr 30, 2020 | General Urology
Are you experiencing pain when you urinate, blood in your urine, discomfort in your sides, or a lack of control over when you go to the bathroom? Then its probably time to see a doctor. The question is, which type of doctor do you see?
Specific circumstances often require the assistance of a specialist. In the case of kidney and urinary troubles, there are two types of specialists who may be able to help you: nephrologists and urologists.
Whats the difference between them? Lets take a look!
Being Your Own Advocate With Your Kidneys
When it comes to living with kidney disease, recovery usually does not happen once your GFR has chronically declined to the advanced stages. Hence, the emphasis really needs to be on prevention. The next time you see your physician make sure to discuss the results of your GFR and ask if you should be seen by a specialist.
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Kidney Stone Treatment At Home
Most small kidney stones move through the kidney and pass down the ureter to the bladder on their own. You can help these small stones pass by drinking up to three quarts of water a day, if you dont have a medical condition that requires you to limit your fluid intake. Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen or naproxen may help manage the kidney pain.
Reasons To See A Nephrologist
Most people don’t go to a nephrologist without a referral from their primary care doctor. Typically, seeing a nephrologist means that you have kidney-related symptoms from an unknown cause or that you have health issues only a renal specialist knows how to treat. You might be referred to a nephrologist if you have the following signs or symptoms:
Chronic Urinary Tract Infections
If you get a lot of urinary tract infections , which are typically bladder infections, you are at greater risk for the infection to travel up to your kidneys. This also puts you more at risk of developing kidney disease, permanent kidney damage, or even kidney failure. Chronic UTI symptoms, especially blood in the urine, fever, and fatigue, can also indicate the early stages of bladder or kidney cancer.
Recurring Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are mineral- or salt-based deposits inside your kidneys, and they cause a lot of pain when passing through your urinary tract. If you get a lot of kidney stones, your kidneys are likely not filtering waste properly and are letting deposits accumulate.
You can also develop kidney stones that begin to block glomerular filtration and lower the filtration rate. Any obstructions can begin to damage your kidneys and lead to chronic kidney disease.
Foamy Urine
Itchy Skin and Joint or Bone Pain
Talk to your doctor if youâre experiencing these symptoms, as a referral to a nephrologist may be necessary.
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Which One Do I Choose
Choosing between a nephrologist and urologist can be a little confusing. Its 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.
But since the kidney, bladder, and urinary tract are related, how do you choose between the two? To make it easier, follow this rule: if you have any issue related to your kidneys or kidney function, you need a nephrologist. They have the education, training, and experience necessary to diagnose, treat, and prevent both common and complex kidney conditions.
A lot of issues in the bladder or urinary tract derive from an underlying problem in the kidneys. This is why a nephrologist is the best medical professional to treat your kidney-related issue. In the situation that you also need to see a urologist in addition to a nephrologist, your nephrologist will work with your urologist to ensure you get the best medical treatment possible.
When To Get A Referral To A Nephrologist
The time it’s best to see a nephrologist can certainly vary depending on your particular conditions. That said, you should ideally be seen by a nephrologist when your glomerular filtration rate starts trending down.
Seeing a nephrologist is vital. Multiple medical studies have clearly proved that patients who are referred late to nephrologists are more likely to die, or progress to dialysis.
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What Is Peritoneal Dialysis And How Does It Work
In this type of dialysis, your blood is cleaned inside your body. The doctor will do surgery to place a plastic tube called a catheter into your abdomen to make an access. During the treatment, your abdominal area is slowly filled with dialysate through the catheter. The blood stays in the arteries and veins that line your peritoneal cavity. Extra fluid and waste products are drawn out of your blood and into the dialysate. There are two major kinds of peritoneal dialysis.
Get To Know The Signs Of Kidney Failure
Sohow do you turn up the volume on this silent killer? Dr. Calle says to payattention to these five signs of kidney failure:
But heres the problem : These symptoms seem to appear with no rhyme or reason. You could have all the symptoms at the same time or intermittently, or you may have one but not the others, Dr. Calle explains. It can feel like playing symptom Russian roulette.
Toplay it safe, see your doctor even if just one of these symptoms makes anappearance.
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Booking Your Nephrology Treatment With Us
To get started, you can book a with one of our many experienced nephrology Consultants. This is a simple and fast process. You can also book your consultation by calling 441413005009.
To familiarise yourself with the many treatment options for kidney issues that we offer, you can . This could help you to decide which treatment option might suit you best.
At your consultation, you will likely receive important diagnostic testing and discuss the right treatment option for you with your
Is Kidney Failure Permanent
Usually, but not always. Some kinds of acute kidney failure, also known as acute renal failure, get better after treatment. In some cases of acute kidney failure, dialysis may only be needed for a short time until the kidneys get better.
In chronic or end stage kidney failure, your kidneys do not get better and you will need dialysis for the rest of your life. If your doctor says you are a candidate, you may choose to be placed on a waiting list for a new kidney.
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What To Ask Your Nephrologist
You can ask these questions at your first appointment. Write the answers down, or have a loved one join you to take notes.
- Why did my doctor refer me to you?
- Why arenât my kidneys working well?
- How poorly are they working compared to healthy kidneys?
- Is it possible I have kidney disease? If so, can you explain what stage the disease is in and what that means?
- What are my treatment options?
- What are the side effects of each treatment?
- Once I have a treatment plan, what are some tips that can help me stick with it?
- Should I make lifestyle changes ?
- Should I call you if I have new questions or problems?
Clinical Journal of American Society of Nephrology: âRenal Relevant Radiology: Use of Ultrasound in Kidney Disease and Nephrology Procedures.â
National Kidney Foundation: âWhy Are the Kidneys So Important?â âKnow Your Kidney Numbers: Two Simple Tests,â â10 Signs You May Have Kidney Disease,â âTips For Your Check-up,â âWhy Are Patients Asked for Urine Samples?â âEarly Symptoms of Chronic Kidney Disease,â âTests to Measure Kidney Function, Damage and Detect Abnormalities,â âWhat is a Kidney Biopsy?â âHealth Care Team,â âAbout Chronic Kidney Disease,â âNephrotic Syndrome,â âPolycystic Kidney Disease,â âYour First Visit with a Kidney Doctor.â
Renal Support Network: âTop 8 Questions a Patient Should Ask Their Nephrologist.â
American Kidney Fund: âChronic Kidney Disease .â
Common Medical Procedures Used In Nephrology
There are several medical procedures that your Nephrologists may use for diagnosing, monitoring, and treating kidney diseases. Some of the most common ones are:
Ultrasound: Ultrasound is an imaging test that uses high-frequency sound waves to capture internal images of your kidneys. This test helps in the identification of abnormalities in kidneys such as a change in size and position. Moreover, it can detect the presence of obstructions involving the formation of cysts or tumors.
CT scan: As known as computed tomography, a CT scan allows doctors to capture cross-sectional images of kidneys. Sometimes the process may also be performed using intravenous contrast dye. This test can identify obstruction in organs in a more precise manner.
Biopsy: A biopsy involves removing tiny samples of tissues by inserting a thin needle. These cells from your body help healthcare professionals examine the condition in laboratories.
You doctor may conduct a biopsy for some specific reasons including:
- Assessing kidney damage
- Identifying disease processes and checking its response to treatment
- Analyzing the complications associated with transplantation
Hemodialysis: Hemodialysis is a specialized process that uses an artificial kidney machine called hemodialyzer for extracting extra waste, fluid, and chemicals from the blood before returning it to the body. After purification blood is returned to the body through a catheter or port, in leg, arm, or neck.
Nephrology FAQ’s
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When Kidneys Arent Doing Their Jobs
Renal failure, also called kidney failure or kidney disease, happens when the kidneys are not working efficiently or effectively. An estimated 37 million U.S. adults are living with chronic kidney disease, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Even more shocking? Nine in ten adults who have it dont even know it.
How could that be? People dont usually have noticeable signs of kidney failure until it is very advanced, says Dr. Calle.
This sneak attack is why kidney failure is known as a silent killer.
What Are The Different Kinds Of Peritoneal Dialysis And How Do They Work
There are several kinds of peritoneal dialysis but two major ones are:Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis and Automated Peritoneal Dialysis .
Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis is the only type of peritoneal dialysis that is done without machines. You do this yourself, usually four or five times a day at home and/or at work. You put a bag of dialysate into your peritoneal cavity through the catheter. The dialysate stays there for about four or five hours before it is drained back into the bag and thrown away. This is called an exchange. You use a new bag of dialysate each time you do an exchange. While the dialysate is in your peritoneal cavity, you can go about your usual activities at work, at school or at home.
Automated Peritoneal Dialysis usually is done at home using a special machine called a cycler. This is similar to CAPD except that a number of cycles occur. Each cycle usually lasts 1-1/2 hours and exchanges are done throughout the night while you sleep.
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