By Maria C. Bermudez, M.D.

Nephrology concerns the diagnosis and treatment of kidney diseases, including electrolyte disturbances and hypertension and the care of those requiring renal replacement therapy, which includes dialysis and renal transplant patients.

A nephrologist, is a physician who has been trained in the diagnosis, treatment and management of a variety of kidney diseases. Often this is done by regulating blood pressure, regulating electrolytes, balancing fluids in the body, and administering dialysis.

Kidney Disease

Many diseases affecting the kidney are systemic disorders not limited to the organ itself, and may require special treatment. Patients are referred to a nephrologist for various reasons, those conditions include:

• Acute renal failure, a sudden loss of renal function
• Chronic kidney disease, declining renal function, usually with an inexorable rise in creatinine
• Hematuria, blood in the urine
• Kidney stones, notably for recurring stone patients
• Chronic or recurrent urinary tract infections
• Hypertension that has failed to respond to multiple forms of anti-hypertensive medication or could have a secondary cause
• Electrolyte disorders or acid/base imbalances

Diagnosis

A nephrologist will use a variety of tools when diagnosing kidney disease. Laboratory tests are almost always aimed at urea, electrolytes and urinalysis, which is frequently the key test in suggesting a diagnosis.

Other tests may include: Ultrasound scanning of the urinary tract, CT scanning when mass lesions are suspected, Renal biopsy, to obtain a tissue diagnosis of a disorder when the exact nature or stage remains uncertain or Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) when the blood vessels might be affected.

Treatment and Management

Once diagnosed, many kidney diseases are treated with medication, such as steroids or anti-hypertensives (many kidney diseases feature high blood pressure.) A nephrologist may also recommend changes in diet and fluid intake in an effort to manage the disease and avoid or reduce the impact of re-occurrences. When chronic kidney disease progresses to later stages, dialysis or transplant is required.

More Information

For more information on Nephrology and kidney disease visit:

American Society of Nephrology at www.asn-online.org

National Kidney Foundation at www.kidney.org

Dr. Bermudez completed her fellowship in nephrology at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center. She earned American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) certification in August 2008. While at Geisinger Medical Center, Dr. Bermudez earned recognition for Extraordinary Commitment and Exceptional Performance, Internal Medicine Residency program two consecutive years.

Dr. Bermudez is available for scheduled office appointments and hospital consultations. Appointments are now being scheduled.  Haven Nephrology is located at 208 E. Church Street, with  office hours Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 5:00pm.  Please call (570) 748-0590 to arrange for a convenient appointment time or for more information.