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What Is a Nephrologist?
Roughly 37 million Americans suffer from chronic kidney disease (CKD), requiring ongoing medical care to prevent serious and even life-threatening complications. For people suffering from CKD or other kidney problems, a nephrologist is a key member of their healthcare team.
In fact, there are about 10,000 nephrologists practicing in the United States. Yet despite their critical role in managing kidney problems, many people don’t know what a nephrologist is or what they do.
Double board-certified in internal medicine and nephrology, Chadi Saad, MD, is a leading nephrologist in Dearborn, Michigan, offering advanced treatment for patients at Nephrocare MD LLC. In this post, learn what a nephrologist is and what they do to help patients of all ages manage kidney problems and improve their kidney health.
Nephrology basics
Before delving into the background and function of a nephrologist, we need to consider a broader question: What is nephrology?
In the broadest terms, nephrology is the branch of medicine that focuses on your kidneys, but more specifically, it focuses on kidney function and kidney diseases, including their diagnosis and management. In fact, the word nephrology is a combination of two Greek terms: the word nephros (or kidney) and the suffix -ology (or study of).
About the size of your fist, kidneys filter excess fluids and wastes from your blood using a complex system composed of tiny blood vessels (or capillaries) and other structures. Every day, your kidneys filter about 150 quarts of blood, excreting wastes via your urine while returning “cleansed” blood to your blood vessels.
In addition to filtering and cleaning your blood, your kidneys also help regulate blood pressure, produce hormones and blood cells, and maintain optimal fluid levels in your body, as well as regulating the body’s acid-base balance. If any of these structures or functions are compromised by an infection, injury, or disease, it can cause widespread problems for your overall health.
The role of a nephrologist
Nephrologists are internal medicine doctors with extra training in treating kidney diseases and disorders.
After completing medical school, a nephrologist continues their education with a residency in internal medicine, followed by an intensive nephrology fellowship that focuses on the kidneys. Board-certified nephrologists must pass a detailed, in-depth examination following their training.
The primary role of a nephrologist is to manage kidney-related diseases and injuries, but they also perform other roles, like treating electrolyte imbalances and helping patients manage hypertension.
Diagnosing and treating kidney problems
Nephrologists use an array of techniques to diagnose kidney problems. In addition to reviewing your medical history and your symptoms, your doctor takes a urine sample for evaluation in a lab. Most visits also include a blood test to evaluate your kidney function.
Depending on your symptoms and the results of your urinalysis, your doctor might recommend imaging tests, like ultrasound or CT imaging. In some instances, they may take a small tissue sample — a biopsy — for further assessment, particularly if cancer is suspected.
Nephrologists are skilled in a variety of treatment options, including:
- Medication therapy for infections
- Minimally invasive procedures for kidney stones
- Dialysis to supplement or replace normal kidney function
- Kidney transplant surgery and follow-up treatment
For people with CKD, nephrologists offer ongoing support including lifestyle guidance to help preserve kidney health and function.
Keep your kidneys healthy
Your kidneys perform an essential role for your body and your health. If you have any changes in urination or you’re at risk of kidney problems, prompt evaluation is important.
To schedule your visit, call 313-960-6605, or book an appointment online with Dr. Saad and his team at Nephrocare MD LLC in Dearborn, Michigan, today.