What Is A Nephrologist? What do They do?

Rohan Mathew

Updated on:

What Is A Nephrologist

What is a nephrologist? In the medical field, there is a specialist for everything. Every part of the human body has vast to study so there are doctors that are qualified in a specific field or for treatment of a specific problem. Nephrologist is one of those doctors that are qualified to treat problems or diseases related to a specific part of the human body. Let us under what is a nephrologist? And what do they do?

What Is A Nephrologist?

A nephrologist is a doctor who is a specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of kidney conditions. They are trained to treat any kind of problems that may occur due to dysfunction of the kidney. If there are any signs of kidney problems then a doctor recommends a nephrologist. 

In short, Nephrologist means a specialist in internal medicine who treats the kidney and all problems related to the kidney. You can say that a Nephrologist is a Kidney Specialist

Education To Become A Nephrologist

To become a Nephrologist you need to study the following

  • Be an undergraduate or medical degree
  • 3 years of residency (basic internal medical training)
  • Fellowship of 2 -3 years on nephrology
  • It is optional to pass the Board Certificate Exam

Treatment A Nephrologist Performs

  • A Nephrologist performs treatment for conditions like
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Glomerular conditions
  • Nephrotic syndrome
  •  Tubular defects
  • Tubulointerstitial kidney diseases
  • KIDNEY INFECTIONS
  • Kidney Vascular condition
  • Kidney Neoplasms
  • Abnormalities of kidney, bladder
  • Abnormalities in the urine collection system
  • Vasculitis
  • Autoimmune conditions related to kidney
  • Electrolyte, fluid, and acid imbalances
  • Metabolic disorders like diabetes

Procedures Nephrologists Uses

Here are some common procedure a Nephrologist main use to diagnose a condition and help them treat it

Blood tests

A blood test may include the following

  • Serum Creatinine Test
  • Glomerular Filtration Rate
  • Blood Urea Nitrogen

Urine Test

A urine test may include the following

  • Urinalysis
  • 24-hour urine test
  • Creatinine Clearance
  • Microalbuminuria

Medical Procedures

Some medical procedures a nephrologist may use are

  • Ultrasound
  • CT Scan
  • BiopsyHemodialysis

When Should You See A Nephrologist

Your doctor will recommend you to see a nephrologist when they may see some signs and symptoms related to kidney dysfunction. Below are some common symptoms that may be related to kidney problems

  • Swelling in Legs, ankles, and feet
  • Headaches
  • Itchiness
  • Nausea
  • Reduction in appetite
  • Reduction in sense of taste
  • Weight loss
  • Lesser urine output
  • Unexplained confusion
  • Memory problems
  • Trouble in focusing
  • Pain in joints
  • Stiffness in joints
  • Muscle cramps or numbness
  • Weakness
  • Exhaustion in the day but problems sleeping at night
  • Blood in urine
  • Blood pressure problems
  • Diabetes
  • Heart conditions
  • High Blood Pressure

Nephrologist Vs Urologist

Nephrologist and Urologist are mostly confused but they both diagnose and treat different problems

Nephrologists are specialist doctors to treat all problems related to the kidney. They are trained to treat any kind of problems that may occur due to dysfunction of the kidney

Urologists are surgical specialist doctors that treat problems related to the urinary tract and male reproductive organs. They treat kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.

FAQ

Why would you be referred to a nephrologist?

Your doctor will recommend you to see a nephrologist when they may see some signs and symptoms related to kidney dysfunction and you need special treatment and care.

What diseases does a nephrologist treat?

A Nephrologist performs treatment for conditions like

  •       Chronic kidney disease
  •       Glomerular conditions
  •       Nephrotic syndrome
  •       Tubular defects
  •       Tubulointerstitial kidney diseases
  •       KIDNEY INFECTIONS
  •       Kidney Vascular condition
  •       Kidney Neoplasms
  •       Abnormalities of kidney, bladder
  •       Abnormalities in the urine collection system
  •       Vasculitis
  •       Autoimmune conditions related to kidney
  •       Electrolyte, fluid, and acid imbalances
  •       Metabolic disorders like diabetes

What are the symptoms of Nephrology?

The Symptoms of Nephrology are

  •       Swelling in Legs, ankles, and feet
  •       Headaches
  •       Itchiness
  •       Nausea
  •       Reduction in appetite
  •       Reduction in sense of taste
  •       Weight loss
  •       Lesser urine output
  •       Unexplained confusion
  •       Memory problems
  •       Trouble in focusing
  •       Pain in joints
  •       Stiffness in joints
  •       Muscle cramps or numbness
  •       Weakness
  •       Exhaustion in the day but problems sleeping at night
  •       Blood in urine
  •       Blood pressure problems

What is the difference between urology and nephrology?

Nephrology is a study related to all problems related to the kidney. Nephrologists are trained to treat any kind of problems that may occur due to dysfunction of kidney

Urology is a study to treat problems related to the urinary tract and male reproductive organs. Urologists treat kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra problems.

Conclusion

Nephrologists are doctors that are specialists in internal medicine who focus on problems and diseases related to kidneys. They treat chronic diseases, infections in the kidney, and even kidney failure. Your doctor may recommend you to see a nephrologist when he notices complex or advances kidney conditions. You must take care and talk to your doctor if you see anything abnormal or anything related to your health. This was all about what is a nephrologist?

 

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