If your family doctor tells you that you need to go to a nephrologist: That means that it is time to go to a kidney doctor.
Nephrologists are experts in kidney care. Without kidneys you cannot live, because your kidney regulate fundamental metabolic functions within the human body. Nephrologists are experts at making sure your kidneys continue to perform at their optimum levels by focusing on the following:
1. Hypertension: Hypertension is another name for “high blood pressure.” If a person has high blood pressure that is difficult to control, a nephrologist gets involved and gets the blood pressure back down to where it should be. Why is that important? Because if hypertension is left untreated over time it will lead to Chronic Kidney Disease.
2. Kidney dialysis: Nephrologists make every possible effort to prevent kidney damage from progressing to a advanced stage where kidney dialysis is needed. However, sometimes this is inevitable. If kidney damage does occur, then the Nephrologists are the only qualified specialists who will provide the various forms of kidney dialysis treatment needed.
3. Electrolyte Disorders: The kidneys do a lot in terms of their function (than just removing water). The yellow tint in your urine is made up of electrolytes and toxins. Nephrologists are experts in dealing with electrolyte problems, such as, salt and water regulation and potassium balance. That is why if your doctor tells you to eat fruits and vegetables with high or low potassium or puts you on a water pill, it's to help regulate your sodium, potassium or other electrolyte abnormality. Nephrologists are comprehensively involved with their patients and are experts in treating a number of these disorders.
4. Kidney Stones: As kidney doctors, Nephrologists often deal with kidney stones. How are Nephrologists different from Urologists? Urologists are surgeons of the urogenital tract, which may involve removing kidney stones. However, Nephrologists focus on the metabolic (or the medicine) portion of the kidney stone including why they are forming, why they are recurring and what can be done to eliminate them to prevent kidney damage
