Best Nephrologist (Kidney Specialist) in Thanjavur
Nephrology is a specialty of medicine and pediatrics which concerns with the kidneys. The study of normal function of kidney and diseases related to kidneys, preservation of kidney health, and treatment of the diseases with diet and medication to renal replacement surgeries or procedures (dialysis and kidney transplantation).
Nephrology deals with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases related to kidney, including electrolyte disturbances and hypertension, and the care of those requiring renal replacement therapy.
A nephrologist is a physician who is trained in the care and treatment of kidney disease. Procedures that a nephrologist does includes native kidney and transplant kidney biopsy, dialysis access insertion, fistula management, and bone biopsy. Our kidney specialists in Thanjavur are well trained and have vast experience in this field.
What Nephrology Doctors in Thanjavur Diagnose?
- Examination of urine will allow direct assessment for possible kidney problems. This will be suggested by the possible presence of blood (haematuria), protein (proteinuria), pus cells (pyuria) or cancer cells in the urine.
- Basic blood tests are taken to check the concentration of hemoglobin, platelets, sodium, potassium, chlorine, urea, bicarbonate, creatinine, calcium, magnesium or phosphate in the blood.
- Structural abnormalities of kidneys can be identified by taking images of the kidney. These will include ultrasound, MRI, CT, angiography or scintigraphy.
Treatments Offered by our Nephrologist in Thanjavur
Treatments in nephrology include medications, surgical interventions (urology, vascular or surgical procedures), blood products, renal replacement therapy (dialysis or kidney transplantation) and plasma exchange. Problems in the kidney may have a consequential effect on length and quality of life.
Chronic kidney disease is usually treated with antihypertensives, diet, and weight modification, and planning for the end stage of renal failure. Impaired renal function has systemic effects on the body. Stimulating erythropoietin agent may be required to ensure adequate production of red blood cells. Supplements may be required activated D and phosphate vitamin binders to counteract the effects of renal failure in bone metabolism, and correction of blood volume and electrolytes may need correction.
Autoimmune inflammatory disease and kidneys, such as vasculitis or transplant rejection can be treated with immunosuppression. Commonly used agents are prednisone, mycophenolate, cyclophosphamide, cyclosporine, tacrolimus, everolimus, sirolimus, and Thymoglobulin. ‘Biological’ or monoclonal antibodies, are also used in these conditions and include rituximab, basiliximab, and eculizumab. IVIG blood products and a process known as plasma exchange can also be used.
When kidneys can no longer support the body's needs, it is said that terminal renal failure has occurred. Without renal replacement therapy, death will eventually be caused by kidney failure. Dialysis is an artificial method of replacing kidney function to prolong life. Kidney transplantation replaces kidney function in the body by inserting a healthy kidney from an organ donor and inducing immunological tolerance. Currently, kidney transplantation is the most effective treatment for the final stage of treatment of kidney disease, although its overall availability is limited by the lack of organ availability.
Most kidney diseases are chronic conditions and, usually, long-term monitoring with the help of a nephrologist is necessary.