A nephrologist is a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating kidney problems, except for injuries or tumors. They determine when dialysis is needed and select patients for kidney transplantation. Patients who should see a nephrologist include those with suspected or known kidney failure, swelling of the face or feet, abnormal urine output, loin pain and fever, blood in the urine, long-term diabetes or hypertension, unexplained anemia, or a family history of kidney disease. A nephrologist can diagnose kidney problems early, recommend specific treatments, and help slow the progression of renal failure.

1. You have a Nephrologist
How to use him Effectively!How to use him Effectively!
DR.SANJAY MAITRA
MD (MED),DM(PGI CHANDIGARH)
CLINICAL FELLOWSHIP(UNIV.OF TORONTO,CANADA)
SR.CONSULTANT NEPHROLOGIST,APOLLO HEALTH
CITY,HYDERABAD

2. Who is a Nephrologist ?
A Nephrologist is a physician (not a surgeon) who is an
expert in
Diagnosing & managing all types of kidney problems exceptexcept those from
injuries, tumours and obstruction to the flow of urine from the kidney
They are the main persons for deciding about when is dialysis needed
in a patient and for how long dialysis is needed

3. Who is a Nephrologist ?
They are responsible for the selection of patients needing
Renal Transplantation
◦The nephrologist identifies the appropriate donor , decides the pre-
operative and post operative medicines and follows up the patient
life long.
Nephrologist’s manage some of the most resistant cases of
hypertension in clinical practice and are experts in this field
also

4. Who needs to see a
nephrologist?
Patients with diagnosed or suspected kidney failure by the family doctor
Patients with swelling of face , feet or both
Patients with unusually low or high urine output
Those with loin pain and fever-suggestive of kidney infection
Those with history of renal stones in the past

5. Who needs to see a
nephrologist?
Patients presenting with passage of blood in the urine
All patients with long standing history of diabetes ±hypertension to
exclude any associated renal complications
Patients with history of unexplained anemia
Some patients with progressive anemia and intermittent vomiting
may be having renal failure and need evaluation

6. Who are at risk of developing
renal failure?
Those with a history of nephritis and AKI in the past
Those who have a history of passage of protein in urine (Proteinuria)
in the past
Patients with long history of diabetes mellitus(>10 yr.)
Patients with early onset of hypertension (<40 yr.) or poorly
controlled hypertension
Patients >65 yrs of age and smokers

7. Who are at risk of developing
renal failure?
Those with recurrent history of urinary tract infection, renal stones
or obstruction to the flow of urine
Those with a family history of kidney disease eg Polycystic kidney
disease

8. What can a nephrologist
do?
He can diagnose a kidney problem early
He can suggest specific treatment for the kidney problem
In patients with early renal failure he may suggest measures to slow
the progression of renal failure