Nephrology
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Carolina Medical Center
Internists located in Walterboro, SC
Your kidneys are two fist-sized, bean-shaped organs that make urine and filter extra water and wastes out of your blood. The need for nephrology results from damage to your kidneys that causes them to malfunction. The most significant reason to have your kidney function tested is that they quickly adapt and compensate, so signs and symptoms don’t appear until irreversible damage has occurred. Call or book your appointment online with Carolina Medical Center in Walterboro, South Carolina, to address your nephrology issues.
Nephrology Q & A
What is nephrology?
The branch of medicine that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of kidney-related conditions is nephrology. However, primary care physicians, including those at Carolina Medical Center, can diagnose and treat kidney disorders too, such as:
- Kidney disease
- Cancer
- Injury
- Cysts
- Stones
- Infections
What causes nephrology-related conditions?
Kidney issues often result from:
Aging
With age comes changes to the structure of your kidneys that cause them to lose some of their ability to remove wastes from your blood. Additionally, as you age, the muscles in your urinary tract lose some strength.
Illness or injury
Damage to your kidneys resulting from poor health or injuries prevents them from completely filtering your blood and can block the passage of urine.
Toxicity
Poisons and a buildup of certain substances in your body including some medicines often cause kidney problems.
Additional factors that increase your risk for nephrology related issues include:
- Diabetes: High blood glucose damages the blood vessels in your kidneys.
- High blood pressure: Damaged blood vessels cause nephrology-related conditions.
- Heart disease: These two disorders often occur together.
- Family history: Kidney disease tends to run in families.
What are the symptoms of nephrology related conditions?
The most common signs associated with nephrology related issues include:
- Headaches
- Tiredness
- Itchiness
- Bloody urine
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Muscle cramps and pain in the small of your back just below your ribs
Because these symptoms aren’t specific to nephrology, it’s essential to make an appointment with a doctor at Carolina Medical Center for proper diagnosis and treatment. Often, the only way to know if your kidneys aren’t properly functioning is through blood and urine tests.
How are nephrology related conditions treated?
Since there’s no cure, nephrology treatment helps slow the progression of the disease while controlling signs and symptoms and reducing complications.
Dr. Michael Blubaugh and Dr. Sanjay Kumar take a two-pronged approach: They treat the underlying cause of your kidney issues while also managing complications to make you more comfortable.
To receive personalized treatment for your nephrology related issues, call or make an appointment online today with one of the doctors at Carolina Medical Center.
