Thursday, April 21, 2016

The Work Done By A Kidney Doctor

By Matthew Perry


The kidney is the organ that is involved with removing excess waste products and fluid in the body through the process of excretion. Urine is produced in this organ and is mainly composed of waste products. Besides removing excess waste products, kidneys also play a vital role in regulating body salts, acid content, and potassium among other materials. Another function performed by kidneys is the stimulation of the production of red blood cells. Red blood cells regulate calcium, blood pressure, and metabolism of electrolyte in the body.

The vital functions performed by kidneys in the body makes them very important. Severe health conditions can result if there is any slight problem with them. Thus, a kidney doctor needs to be consulted immediately if one realizes any problem that may be related to the organ. Those medical practitioners who have specialty in handling medical conditions of the kidneys are called nephrologists.

The term nephrologist derives from nephros, a Greek term. It means renal or kidney when translated into the English language. On the other hand, ologist is an individual who studies. The terms nephrologists and kidney doctors are interchangeable. Nephrologists train in internal medicine but specialize in the treatment and care of kidneys.

Nephrology is one of the branches of internal medicine. One needs to be a degree holder from an accredited medical school in order to qualify to work in this profession. To be admitted into a medical school, it is mandatory for one to first have a bachelor degree. Part of qualification calls for completion of a three-year residency. Certification can only be applied for after completing the residency program.

in Cleveland, the American Board of Internal Medicine certification test must be taken and passed for as part of the process of qualifying as a nephrology. Laboratory or clinical research which lasts one or two years may also be part of the residency beside the other three years. With laboratory or clinical research experience, practitioners become well-qualified in the field they specialize.

During residency programs, students learn about many areas of nephrology including diagnosing and managing diseases. They are trained and familiarized with all surgical procedures related to dialysis including catheter placement and vascular access. They become professionals in all dialysis treatments like peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis. They gain training in performing kidney biopsies. Every specialty that one specializes in has a separate exam that one must take and pass before becoming qualified.

Generally, most patients handled by nephrologists are as a result of referrals from general physicians or primary care physicians. The diseases cared for and treated are of a wide variety. Common examples include PKD, CKD, acute renal failure, kidney stones, and high blood pressure. They can also do dialysis and transplants. A thorough review of medical history of patients must be done prior to commencing treatment.

Diagnosis involves blood and urine tests. The tests are helpful in understanding how the well the kidneys are working. An ultrasound and biopsy may also be performed if the practitioner finds it necessary. It is important to understand that nephrologists are not surgeons and cannot conduct surgical operations because the scope of the training they receive does not cover surgery.




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