Who is a nephrologist?
Nephrologists (گردے کا ڈاکٹر) are doctors who diagnose, investigate, treat and manage all types of diseases and disorders that affect the kidneys.
A primary care physician is knowledgeable enough to deal with the early disorders of the kidneys, however, for more severe illnesses, specialized care is appropriate, as provided by a nephrologist in Fauji Foundation Hospital (Rawalpindi). Your primary healthcare provider will refer you to the care of a nephrologist if they think you need specialist advice.
What is nephrology?
Nephrology is a branch of internal medicine that focuses on the diseases of the kidneys. Doctors who specialize in the field of Nephrology are referred to as Nephrologists.
When should you see a nephrologist?
Nephrologists (گردے کا ڈاکٹر) treat people of all ages with any kind of kidney dysfunction. Babies who are born with malformed kidneys, or any other congenital kidney disorders, are referred to pediatric nephrologists by general pediatricians immediately.
You should see the best nephrologist in Fauji Foundation Hospital (Rawalpindi) if your doctor suspects kidney disorders and there are symptoms like swelling in the legs or ankles. Kidneys are responsible for getting rid of toxic waste and water from the body in the form of urine.
When there is dysfunction of the kidneys, this toxic waste builds up in the blood and causes fluid build-up, often referred to as edema. This fluid is mostly evident in the dependent regions like the legs, as well as around the eyes.
Kidney dysfunction also manifests as reduced urine output, dehydration, reduced sense of taste, nausea, memory problems, pain in the body, electrolyte imbalance causing muscle cramps and numbness. Patients of kidney disease may experience high blood pressure as well as headaches.
If you are experiencing any of the aforementioned symptoms, then you should see a nephrologist immediately.
Additionally, a primary care physician can refer patients with chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension to a nephrologist, who can evaluate their kidneys as these diseases increase the future risk of kidney disorders.
What are the main areas of concern of a nephrologist?
A nephrologist in Fauji Foundation Hospital (Rawalpindi) focuses on kidney disorders of a patient. They evaluate, diagnose, monitor, and manage patients of moderate-to-severe kidney diseases. The duration of treatment depends on the severity of kidney dysfunction of a patient. A nephrologist treats conditions that impact the kidneys directly or indirectly.
The common conditions that are treated by the best nephrologist in Fauji Foundation Hospital (Rawalpindi) include:
- advanced & chronic kidney diseases
- glomerular disorders
- tubular diseases
- drug-induced kidney damage
- renal artery stenosis
- nephrotic syndrome
- acute & chronic kidney infections
- vasculitic lesions
- metabolic disorders like diabetes
- autoimmune disorders of the kidneys
Abnormal growths of the kidneys and cancers of the kidneys are also dealt with by nephrologists.
Nephrologists (گردے کا ڈاکٹر) evaluate kidneys, using the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), blood urea nitrogen levels (BUN) and the serum creatinine levels.
Nephrologists also work together with urologists, in cases of recurring infections of the kidneys, and urinary tract stones.
What are the most common kidney disorders in Pakistan?
Studies show that the commonest kidney disorders in our regions are related to complications of chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension.
Uncontrolled diabetes causes damage to the kidneys due to persistently high blood sugar levels. This is known as diabetic nephropathy. Of the studied population, 28% suffered from diabetic nephropathy, while 22% from glomerulonephritis.
Just like diabetes, chronically high blood pressure damages the kidneys, and 14.6% of people suffered from hypertensive complications. 13.4% of people had tubulointerstitial nephritic diseases, and 8% had renal stone diseases. Adult polycystic kidney diseases are less common with a prevalence of 1.4%, while other unknown causes are responsible for 2% of cases.
In Pakistan, more than 20,000 people die annually due to kidney diseases. Our region lies eighth in kidney disorders. The reason why chronic kidney diseases (CKD) are rising exponentially in our country could be due to poor quality of life, use of excessive medication, self-medication as well as intake of poor-quality water.
How to become a nephrologist in Pakistan?
Following the five years of graduation in medicine and surgery (MBBS), and the mandatory house-job, nephrologists (گردے کا ڈاکٹر) enroll in a four-year residency program in nephrology, where they also have rotations in general medicine. This can be followed by further training in fellowship programs and post-graduation. Continual practice and medical education credits are important for a nephrologist.
What kinds of nephrologists are there?
Nephrologists (گردے کا ڈاکٹر) can choose to specialize in a narrower field through additional training and research. Nephrology subspecialties include:
- Kidney transplant specialists: evaluate and treat patients with end-stage renal disease who require transplants for better health.
- Onco-nephrologists: treat cancers of the kidneys
- Interventional nephrologists: perform non-surgical interventional procedures related to kidney disorders on patients.
- Pediatric nephrologists: treat children and newborn babies with kidney diseases.
What are nephrologists called in Pakistan?
- Nephro specialist
- Kidney doctor
- Kidney specialist
- گردے کا ڈاکٹر
- نیفروولوجسٹ
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