Nephrology

Nephrology is a branch of Internal Medicine focusing on the kidney and its associated diseases. Nephrologists are physicians that trained in internal medicine, and then pursued an additional two to three years of training solely on kidney disease. Our nephrologists most commonly treat patients with:

• Chronic kidney disease
• High blood pressure
• Kidney stones
• Electrolyte imbalances

In addition, Nephrologists are responsible for the care of patients requiring dialysis and kidney transplantation.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a condition where the body suffers from weak kidneys. Your kidneys clean and purify the blood by removing waste products and extra fluid. When the kidneys are weak, waste and toxins remain in the blood and cause disease. In the most extreme form of CKD patients requires dialysis or a kidney transplant. Most patients have milder disease than can be treated with medications and diet. Risk factors for CKD include: 

• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Family history of kidney disease

All patients with risk factors for chronic kidney disease should be tested for CKD. Testing for CKD can be done with a routine blood test.

High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is extremely common and contributes to heart disease, strokes and chronic kidney disease. It is also an important cause of dementia. Normal blood pressure is less than 120/80. Risk factors for hypertension include:

• Obesity
• Smoking
• Lack of physical activity
• Too much salt in the diet

Some people have high blood pressure in the doctors' office but normal blood pressure at home. These patients do not have the same high risks traditionally associated with high blood pressure. To differentiate between high blood pressure just in the doctor's office and high blood pressure all the time, the doctors of SCSP use a machine which tracks your blood pressure continuously for 24-hours. This continuous tracking is one of the state-of-the-art techniques used to treat hypertension employed by SCSP.

We've prepared a great article that explains blood pressure in plain English, and with the CKD patient in mind! Click Here

Kidney stones are made of salts and minerals in the urine that stick together to form small "pebbles." They can be as small as grains of sand or as large as golf balls. Kidney stones form when the normal balance of water, salts, minerals, and other things found in urine changes. This can happen if you do not get enough fluids (dehydration) or if you eat foods high in oxalate, such as dark green vegetables.

Electrolyte imbalances. The kidneys are the master chemists of the body. When patients develop chemical imbalances it is often the kidneys at fault and nephrologists are the natural physicians to evaluate and treat these conditions. Some common electrolyte abnormalities include: 

• Low sodium: hyponetremia
• High sodium: hypernatremia
• Low potassium: hypokalemia
• High potassium: hyperkalemia
  

SCSP Nephrologists - View photos and bios of our kidney doctors.

Links of Interest - Online resources for kidney patients.