Department Of Nephrology

Bhavnagar Institute of Medical Science (BIMS Hospital) has now established its name as the best Nephrology-dialysis centre in Bhavnagar District. This has been possible only because of presence of full time  dedicated and experienced nephrologistalong with the constant assistance of the skilled medical and technical staff at BIMS Hospital. The doctor practicing in the Nephrology department of the BIMS Hospital counsel and treat patients in an excellent manner thus prioritizing patient satisfaction and making it the best dialysis centre in Bhavnagar. The services and healthcare facilities available in the Department of Nephrology at BIMS Hospital are of high quality and the treatments offered here are completely result oriented which is evident from the high success rates.

OVERVIEW OF NEPHROLOGY

Nephrology is a specialty of internal medicine that focuses on the treatment of diseases that affect the kidneys. The Kidneys have several vital functions including:

  • Removing Waste and excess fluid from the blood
  • Maintaining your body’s electrolyte balance
  • Releasing hormones with functions such as managing blood pressure.

WHAT WILL NEPHROLOGIST DO:

A Nephrologist is a type of super specialist doctor that specializes in treating disease of the Kidney. Not Only do nephrologists have expertise on diseases that specifically affect the Kidney, but they are also very knowledgeable about how kidney disease or dysfunction can affect other parts of your body.

Although your primary care doctor will work to help prevent and treat early stages of kidney disease, a nephrologist may be called in to help diagnose and treat more severe or complex kidney conditions secondary to other system diseases especially in critical situation.

CONDITIONS A NEPHROLOGIST TREATS:

  • Blood OR Protein In urine
  • Chronic Kidney disease
  • Kidney Stones, although a urologist may also treat
  • Kidney Infections
  • Kidney Swelling due to glomerulonephritis OR Interstitial Nephritis
  • Kidney cancer
  • Polycystic kidney disease
  • Hemolytic uremic syndrome
  • Renal artery stenosis
  • Nephrotic syndrome
  • End-Stage Kidney disease
  • Kidney failure, both acute and chronic.

Nephrologists can also be involved when other factors cause kidney disease or dysfunction including:

  • High blood Pressure
  • Diabetes
  • Heart Disease
  • Septicemia
  • Autoimmune conditions, such as Iupus

TEST AND PROCEDURES A NEPHROLOGIST MIGHT PERFORM OR ORDER

If you are visiting a nephrologists, they may be involved in performing a variety of tests and procedures or interpreting the results.

LABORATORY TESTS:

A wide range of tests can be used to assess the function of your kidneys. These tests are typically performed on either a blood or urine sample.

BLOOD TESTS:

  • SERUM CREATININE: Creatinine is a waste product and is present at higher levels in the blood of people with kidney dysfunction.
  • BLOOD UREA NITROGEN (BUN: As with creatinine, finding high levels of this waste product in the blood is a sign of kidney dysfunction.

URINE TESTS:

  • URINALYSIS: This urine sample can tested with a dipstick for pH as well as the presence of abnormal amounts of blood, glucose, protein, or Bacteria.
  • ALBUMIN/CREATININE RATIO (ACR): This urine test measures the amount of the protein albumin in your urine. Albumin in the urine is assign of kidney dysfunction.
  • 24-HOUR URINE COLLECTION: This method uses a special container to collect all of the urine that you produce during a 24-hours period. Further testing can be performed on this sample.
  • CREATININE CLEARANCE: This is measure of creatinine from both a blood sample and a 24-hour urine sample that’s used to calculate the amount of creatinine that’s exited the blood and moved to the urine.

In Addition to reviewing and interpreting the results of your laboratory tests, a nephrologist may also perform or work with other specialists on the following procedures:

  • Imaging tests of the kidneys, such as ultrasounds, CT-Scan OR X-Ray
  • Dialysis, including placement of the dialysis catheter.
  • Kidney biopsies
  • Kidney Transplant follow ups

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NEPHROLOGY AND UROLOGY

The field of nephrology and urology share some overlap because they can both involve the Kidneys. While a nephrologist focuses on diseases and conditions that affect the kidney more directly, an urologist focuses on diseases and conditions that can affect the male and female urinary tract.

The urinary tract includes the kidneys, but also several other parts such as the Ureters, Bladder and Urethra. An Urologist also works with the male reproductive organs, such as a penis, testes, and prostate.

CONDITIONS THAT A UROLOGIST MAY TREAT CAN INCLUDE:

  • Kidney stone
  • Bladder infections
  • Bladder Control Issues
  • Erectile Dysfunction
  • Enlarged Prostate

WHEN TO SEE A NEPHROLOGIST:

 Your Primary care doctor can help to prevent and treat the early stages of kidney disease. However, sometimes these early stages may not have any symptoms or may have nonspecific symptoms such as fatigue, sleep problems and changes in the amount you urinate.

Regular testing can monitor your kidney function, particularly if you are at rist for kidney disease. These groups include people with:

  • High Blood Pressure
  • Diabetes
  • Heart Disease
  • A family history of kidney problems

Testing can detect signs of decreasing kidney Function, such as a decreasing GFR value OR an increase in the level of albumin in your urine. If your test results indicate rapid or continuing deterioration of kidney function, your doctor may refer you to a nephrologist.

Your doctor may also refer you to a nephrologist if you have any of the following:

  • Advanced Chronic kidney disease
  • Large amounts of Blood or Protein in your urine
  • Recurring kidney stones, though you may also be referred to urologist for this
  • High Blood pressure that’s still high even though you are taking medications
  • A rare or inherited cause of kidney disease

KIDNEY HEALTH AND KIDNEY DISEASE BASICS:

 The kidneys are a pair of first-sized organs located at the Bottom of the rib cage. There is one kidney on each side of the spine.

Kidneys are essential to having a healthy body. They are mainly responsible for filtering waste products, excess water, and other impurities out of the blooe. These toxins are stored in the bladder and then removed during urination. The kidneys also regulate pH, salt and potassium levels in the body. They produce hormones that regulate blood pressure and control the production of red blood cells. The kidneys even activate a form of vitamin D that helps the body absorb calcium.

Kidney disease occurs when your kidneys become damaged and can’t perform their function. Damage may be caused by diabetes, high blood pressure and various other chronic (long-term) conditions. Kidney disease can lead to other health problems, including weak bones, nerve damage, and malnutrition.

If the disease gets worse over time, your kidneys may stop working completely. This means that dialysis will be required to perform the function of the kidneys. Dialysis is a treatment that filters and purifies the blood using a machine. It can’t cure kidney disease, but it can prolong your life.

WHAT ARE THE TYPES AND CAUSES OF KIDNEY DISEASE?

  • CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE:

The most common form of kidney disease is chronic kidney disease. Chronic kidney disease is a long –term condition that doesn’t improve over time. It’s commonly caused by high blood pressure.

High Blood Pressure is dangerous for the kidneys because it can increase the pressure on the glomeruli. Glomeruli are the tiny blood vessels in the kidneys where blood is cleaned. Over time, the increased pressure damages these vallels and kidney function being to decline.

Kidney Function will eventually deteriorate to the point where the kidneys can no longer perform their job properly. In this case, a person would need to go on dialysis. Dialysis filters extra fluid and waste out of the blood. Dialysis can help treat kidney disease but it can’t cure it. A kidney transplant may be another treatment option Depending on your circumstances.

Diabetes is also a major cause of chronic kidney disease. Diabetes is a group of diseases that causes high blood sugar. The increased level of sugar in the blood damages the blood vessels in the kidneys over time. This means the kidneys can’s clean the blood properly. Kidney failure can occur when your body become overloaded with toxins.

  • KIDNEY STONES:

Kidney Stones are another common kidney problem Thy occur when minerals and other substance in the blood crystallize in the kidneys, forming solid masses (STONES). Kidney stones usually come out of the body during urination. Passing kidney stone can be extremely painful, but they rarely cause significant problems.

  • GLOMERULONEPHRITIS:

Glomerulonephritis is an inflammation of the glomeruli. Glomeruli are extremely small structures inside the kidneys that filter the blood. Glomerulonephritis can be caused by infections, drugs, or congenital abnormalities (Disorders that occur during or Shortly after birth). It offer gets better on its own.

  • POLYCYSTIC KIDNEY DISEASE:

Polycystic kidney disease is a genetic disorder that causes numerous cysts (small sacs of fluid) to grow in the kidneys. These cysts can interfere with kidney function and cause kidney failure. (It’s Important to note that individual kidney cysts are fairly common and almost always harmless. Polycystic kidney disease is a separate, more serious condition.)

  • URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are bacterial infections of any part of the urinary system. Infections in the bladder and urethra are the most common. They are easily treatable and rarely lead to more health problems. However, if left untreated, these infections can spread to the kidneys and cause kidney failure.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF KIDNEY DISEASE?

 Kidney disease is a condition that can easily go unnoticed until the symptoms become severe. The following symptoms are early warning signs that you might be developing kidney disease:

  • Fatigue
  • Difficulty Concentrating
  • Trouble Sleeping
  • Poor Appetite
  • Muscle cramping
  • Swollen feet/ankles
  • Puffiness around the eyes in the morning
  • Dry, Scaly skin
  • Frequent urination, especially late at night.

Severe symptoms that could mean your kidney disease is progressing in to kidney failure include:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Loss of appetite
  • Changes in urine output
  • Fluid retention
  • Anemia (A decrease in red blood cells)
  • Decreased sex drive
  • Sudden rise in potassium levels (Hyperkalemia)
  • Inflammation of the pericardium (Fluid-filled sac that covers the heart)

HOW KIDNEY DISEASE TREATED:

 Treatment for kidney disease usually focuses on controlling the underlying cause of the disease. This means your doctor will help you better manage your blood pressure, blood Sugar, and cholesterol levels. They may use one or more of the following methods to treat kidney disease.

  • DRUGS AND MEDICATION:

Our doctor will either prescribe angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, such as Lisinopril and Ramipril, or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), such as irbesartan and olmesartan. These are blood pressure medications that can slow the progression of kidney disease. Your doctor may prescribe these medications to preserve kidney function, even if your don’t have high blood pressure.

You may also be treated with cholesterol drugs (such as simvastatin). These medications can reduce blood cholesterol levels and help maintain kidney health. Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may also prescribe drugs to believe swelling and treat anemia (Decrease in the number of red blood cells).

  • DIETARY AND LIFESTYLE CHANGES:

Making changes to your diet is just as important as taking medication. Adopting a healthy lifestyle can help prevent many of the underlying causes of kidney disease. Your doctor may recommend that your:

  • Control diabetes through insulin injections
  • Cut back on foods high in cholesterol
  • Cut back on salt
  • Start a heart-healthy diet that includes fresh fruits, veggies, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products.
  • Limit alcohol consumption
  • Quit smoking
  • Increase physical activity
  • Lose weight

DIALYSIS AND KIDNEY DISEASE

Dialysis is an artificial method of filtering the blood. It’s used when someone’s kidneys have failed or are close to failing. Many people with late-stage kidney disease must go on dialysis permanently or until a donor kidney is found.

There are two types of dialysis: HEMODIALYSIS and PERITONEAL DIALYSIS.

HEMODIALYSIS:

In peritoneal dialysis, the peritoneum (membrane that lines the abdominal wall) stands in for the kidneys. A tube is implanted and used to fill the abdomen with a fluid called dialysate. Waste products in the blood flow from the peritoneum into the dialysate. The dialysate is then drained from the abdomen.

There are two forms of peritoneal dialysis: continuous ambulatory peritonealdialysis, where the abdomen is filled and drained several times during the day, and continuous cycler-assisted peritoneal dialysis, which uses a machine to cycle the fluid in and out of the abdomen at night while the person sleeps.

The most common side effects of peritoneal dialysis are infections in the abdominal cavity or in the area where the tube was implanted. Other side effects may include weight gain and hernias. A hernia is when the intestine pushes through a weak spot or tear in the lower abdominal wall.

BIMS hospital has state-of-the-art 08 bedded dialysis centre in which we have SUCCESSFULLY DONE MORE THAN 6000 CYCLEStill dates. At this advanced high volume dialysis centre, PMJAY card holders can get treatment free of charge.

HOW CAN KIDNEY DISEASE BE PREVENTED?

Some risk factors for kidney disease – such as age, race, or family history – are impossible to control. However, there are measures you can take to help prevent kidney disease:

  • Drink Plenty of water
  • Control blood sugar if you have diabetes
  • Control blood pressure
  • Reduce salt intake
  • Quit smoking

BE CAREFUL WITH OVER-THE-COUNTER DRUGS

You should always follow the dosage instructions for over-the counter medications. Taking too much aspirin (Bayer) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) can cause kidney damage. Call your doctor if the normal doses of these medications aren’t controlling your pain effectively.

Above wide range of state-of-art service provided to patients using evidence-based guidelines and standard protocols at an affordable cost make BIMS Hospital the best dialysis centre in Bhavnagar.

nephrologists in Bhavnagar
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