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Thursday, 21 April 2016

The Profession Of A Kidney Doctor

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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 a branch of internal medicine. Becoming a practitioner in nephrology requires one to have a degree from an approved medical school. Medical school admission may have a bachelor degree as one of the requirements for qualification. After medical school, one must complete three full years of residency program in internal medicine. Those who complete the residency are ready to apply for certification.

In Cleveland, as part of the process to qualify to work as nephrologists, applicants are supposed to take and pass (ABIM) American Board of Internal Medicine certification exam. In addition to the three years of residency, additional one or two years of clinical or laboratory research is needed in some programs. Clinical or laboratory research qualifies practitioners more in their area of specialty.

Residency programs cover various aspects in nephrology, the major ones of which are disease treatment and management. The residency trains and equips practitioners in all areas of dialysis such as vascular access and catheter placement. By the time they leave, they are experts in peritoneal dialysis, hemodialysis, and all other dialysis treatments and performing of dialysis. There are numerous specialties in this profession and qualifying in any of them calls for taking and passing a separate certification test.

Generally, most patients treated by nephrologists are referred to them by primary care physicians or general physicians. They provide treatment and care for various diseases including high blood pressure, PKD, acute renal failure, kidney stones, and CKD. They also carry out dialysis and transplants of kidneys. The first step in provision of care is reviewing all medical histories of the patient.

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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