The Assistance You Can Get From A Kidney Specialist Beverly Hills

By Essie Osborn


A nephrologist or kidney specialist is a doctor who concentrates on treating diseases that affect the functioning of kidneys and associated body organs. This professional is able to effectively treat disorders that are known to contribute to renal failure. Most ailments that affect the kidneys also affect other organs. By using the services of a kidney specialist Beverly Hills inhabitants can receive treatment for ailments like renal failure, hypertension and electrolyte and interstitial ailments among others.

In order to serve patients, nephrologists are required to get board certification in internal medicine. They are also required to undergo two or more years of additional training in diagnosing and managing renal disorders. Qualified nephrologists have good manual dexterity that allows them to examine patients well and manipulate small instruments. These specialists also have good communication skills that allow them to work efficiently with nurses, other physicians, administrative staff and patients.

The most essential role played by nephrologists is preserving the function of kidneys. The treatments that these professionals order include low protein diets, medicines, kidney transplantation and hemodialysis. Nephrologists also play an important role in making decisions in conjunction with patients or their families as to whether to withhold or withdraw dialysis.

A nephrologist can also recommend that you have an artificial kidney implanted in your body if you are suffering from chronic or acute renal failure. This professional does not operate on the kidneys but he or she may perform a renal biopsy to monitor or diagnose specific conditions like kidney inflammation. Nephrologists can offer their services in a hospital, nursing facility or a private clinic.

The nephrologists who opt to go into private practice have a lot of flexibility when it comes to choosing the renal disorders to treat. Nephrologists can choose to specialize as geriatric nephrology or pediatric nephrology. Geriatric nephrologists specialize in treating elderly patients whereas pediatric nephrologists specialize in treating children. These professionals often examine patients who are being cared for by a physician who performs renal surgery procedures.

Nephrologists also treat acute renal injury, which is an abrupt decline in renal filtration function. This condition needs to be treated promptly because it can cause death if left untreated. Acute renal injury is sometimes caused by medical or surgical complications, which prevent blood from flowing to the kidneys for long periods of time. It commonly affects hospitalized patients.

If the condition of a patient necessitates either transplantation or dialysis, a nephrologist explains some points of why this is the case to him or her. If a patient accepts kidney transplantation, this specialist may take part in caring for him or her after the procedure to deal with issues such as blood pressure and the interactions of medicines among other issues that may arise. A nephrologist also treats patients who are suffering from conditions like acute hypertension, blood in the urine or renal calculi.

Family doctors may also refer their diabetic patients to a nephrologist. Nephrologists perform a wide variety of tests including urine examinations to determine if the kidneys of a patient have sustained damage. Receiving treatment early from a nephrology specialist helps to increase survival rates. The lives of patients who are suffering from renal failure can be saved if they get a kidney transplant or undergo dialysis to replace their renal function.




About the Author: