Nephrologist
A nephrologist is a specialist in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of kidney disease. A pediatric nephrologist deals with kidney disease in children. Also, the competence of the pediatric nephrologist includes the treatment of congenital malformations of the kidneys.
As a rule, patients come to an appointment with a nephrologist after they find changes in the tests - a high content of protein in urine or blood cells, etc.
A nephrologist conducts outpatient treatment of chronic and acute kidney diseases, as well as active drug prevention. Depending on the disease, the nephrologist selects an individual dietary food for the patient, monitors compliance with his regimen. In particular, it is very important for patients with metabolic disorders and reduced kidney function.
The organs dealt with by the nephrologist include the bladder, ureters, urethra, and kidneys.
What does a nephrologist treat?
- Renal failure;
- Vascular nephropathy, kidney damage in systemic vasculitis;
- Acute and chronic pyelonephritis and glomerulonephritis;
- Amyloidosis of the kidneys;
- Urate, diabetic nephropathy;
- Kidney damage by drugs;
- Urolithiasis disease;
- Chronic interstitial nephritis;
- Secondary glomerulonephritis and lupus nephritis in patients with other systemic connective tissue diseases.
What does a children's nephrologist treat?
First of all, a pediatric nephrologist studies homeostasis and its renal regulation in a healthy child at different ages, as well as disorders of homeostasis caused by diseases of the genitourinary system that arise during the formation of a person. What does a nephrologist treat in children? These diseases include:
- Kidney dysplasia;
- Children's pyelonephritis and glomerulonephritis;
- Familial nephropathy;
- Tubulopathy;
- Hemolytic uremic syndrome;
- Anatomical abnormalities of the urinary system;
- Dysmetabolic nephropathy, including urolithiasis;
- Nephritis with hemorrhagic vasculitis.
When should I make an appointment with a nephrologist?
You must make an appointment with a nephrologist if you experience the following symptoms of nephrological diseases:
- Renal colic;
- Renal failure;
- Polyuria;
- Anuria;
- The presence of tumors;
- Acute kidney inflammation syndrome;
- Arterial hypertension;
- The presence of protein or blood in the urine;
- Oliguria.
When is it necessary to visit a pediatric nephrologist?
A nephrologist should be consulted in the following cases:
- Child complaints about pain during urination;
- Abnormalities in urine tests;
- Too frequent urination;
- When abnormalities are found during ultrasound diagnostics of the bladder and kidneys.
What tests will a neurologist require?
The nephrologist has the right to require the patient to pass the following tests necessary to clarify the diagnosis:
- Biochemical blood test to determine the level of uric acid, creatinine and urea;
- Triglycerides;
- Cholesterol;
- Sowing urine for flora;
- Research by Nechiporenko;
- Electrolytes;
- Daily diuresis;
- Samples of Zimnitsky and Reberg;
- Blood pressure in dynamics.
The pediatric nephrologist may additionally require:
- Chromocystoscopy;
- Study of the functional ability of the kidneys;
- Analysis of discharge from the urethra (ejaculate, prostate secretion).
What types of diagnostics are performed by a nephrologist?
- Kidney biopsy and scan;
- Intravenous urography;
- ECG;
- Retrograde pyelography;
- Pneumoperitoneum;
- Ultrasound;
- Plain radiography of the kidneys;
- Radioisotope radiography.
Nephrologist's advice
The following are nutritional advice from a nephrologist for people with kidney problems:
- Limit your salt intake as salt makes you thirsty and promotes fluid retention. This leads to increased blood pressure and edema. For people with kidney problems, the daily salt intake is no more than 7 g;
- To reduce the concentration of phosphorus and potassium in the body, it is necessary to exclude from the diet all fried, dried fruits, canned food and vegetables. Reduce the amount of fruits consumed (except for pears and apples), as well as dairy products;
- The daily protein intake should not exceed 300 g. It is preferable to use steamed poultry and mutton;
- Fish, legumes containing a large amount of protein and rich broths should be excluded from the diet;
- The diet must contain cereals, pasta, jelly, olive oil and honey. You can drink coffee in small quantities;
- The pressure should be measured several times a day. Please note that not all pressure medications can be used for kidney disease, so consult a nephrologist before using them;
- Every three months, you should see a nephrologist and have blood and urine tests done.
Pediatric Nephrologist Tips
It is very important to timely identify the pathology in the child and start appropriate treatment. This will help avoid many serious complications. To this end, parents should:
- Closely monitor the child's condition and note possible symptoms of the disease;
- Prevent hypothermia of the child;
- Do not neglect preventive examinations by a pediatrician;
- Breastfeed the child as long as possible, as this protects the child from intestinal dysbiosis, which means that fewer pathogenic microbes enter the body;
- If the child's body temperature rises in the absence of other symptoms of a cold, it is necessary to urgently call a doctor.
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