Nephrology

How does a Nephrologist diagnose kidney disease?

Symptoms of chronic kidney disease (CKD) often don’t develop until a patient’s kidneys are severely damaged. Therefore, at risk individuals, which includes diabetics and individuals with high blood pressure or a family history of kidney disease, should be tested.

Tests include:

Blood tests, which measure the level of waste products present in the blood.
Urine tests, to check for abnormalities and help determine the cause of kidney disease.
Ultrasound, an imaging test that allows the doctor to view the size and structure of the kidneys.
Tissue biopsy, in which a small sample of kidney tissue is removed with a thin needle and tested in a lab.

How does First MedCare manage kidney disease and its complications?

Several methods are used, including:

High blood pressure medicine. Patients who suffer from CKD often experience increased blood pressure.
Cholesterol lowering medications. CKD patients also often develop high levels of bad cholesterol, which increases their risk of heart disease.
Anemia medication. This is used to aid the body’s production of red blood cells, to help with fatigue and weakness caused by anemia.
Medications to relieve swelling. CKP patients frequently retain fluids, which cause legs to swell, and blood pressure to rise.
Bone strengthen medications. Calcium supplements, vitamin D and phosphate binders may be prescribed.

What is dialysis?

When CKD becomes so severe that the kidneys are unable to filter blood and make urine, a process called dialysis is used to do so. There are two types of dialysis:

Hemodialysis. This entails the use of a machine and filter, called an artificial kidney, that cleans the blood. For the artificial kidney to access a patient’s blood, the doctor makes an incision into blood vessels, usually through minor surgery in the arm or leg.
Peritoneal dialysis. In this process, a catheter is surgically inserted into the abdomen through which a special solution is slowly filled. The solution filters extra fluid and waste out of the blood, which flows out of the catheter and is discarded.