What Is Nephrology?
Nephrology is the field of medicine that deals with acute and chronic kidney problems. A nephrologist is a doctor who manages your disease if you go into kidney failure. At the Medex Diagnostic and Treatment Center in Queens, NY, an internist specializing in nephrology prefers to keep you healthy with preventative advice and treatments.
Typically, kidney disease is preventable by managing your underlying disorders and incorporating healthy habits that keep your kidneys operating at their optimum levels. Conditions that can lead up to eventual kidney problems include:
- High blood pressure
- Insufficient fluid intake
- Diabetes
- Electrolyte imbalance
- Lack of vital minerals
Top Nephrologists in Forest Hills, Queens, NY
David Khasidy, MDInternal Medicine, Primary Care718.275.8900Forest Hills, NY
Musa Njeru, MD Nephrologist718.275.8900Forest Hills, NY
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How Can I Prevent Kidney Disease?
The diet and exercise plans that help you avoid other issues — like obesity, heart disease, GERD and diabetes — are the same healthy lifestyle choices that keep your kidneys operating effectively. To improve your odds for a long, healthy life for you and your kidneys, your nephrologist recommends:
- Maintaining a healthy weight, reflected by a target body mass index (BMI) between 25 and 29.9
- Stopping smoking because smoking slows the blood flow to the organs, including your kidneys
- Being physically active for at least 30 minutes a day
- Taking supplements to maintain proper mineral levels
- Saying no to chronic binge drinking, which causes kidney disease
- Reducing alcohol consumption to occasional use — no more than one drink per day — because alcohol significantly affects your kidney’s ability to filter your blood
- Staying hydrated, as your kidneys need water to flush your bloodstream
- Not allowing yourself to become severely dehydrated, as it can lead to kidney failure
- Lowering your stress levels
- Getting sufficient sleep
In terms of your diet, cut down on your salt intake so that you consume no more than 2,300 milligrams per day, which equals about 1.5 teaspoons. You can also help your kidneys by choosing foods that are low in sugar. Finally, avoid unhealthy fats like saturated fat in meat and the trans fats used to make processed food.
How Can I Tell if I Need Nephrology Treatment?
When you maintain regular yearly checkups with your internist or family doctor at the Medex Diagnostic and Treatment Center, your doctor gets to know you and your risk for the kinds of conditions that can lead to kidney disease. Early intervention is the best way to avoid a nephrology referral. Symptoms that you may be heading for problems with your kidneys include when you’re:
- Having trouble sleeping because your body contains too many toxins. Sometimes, sleep apnea is an early indicator of kidney problems.
- Feeling more tired and weak than usual and having difficulty concentrating. Anemia often is a complication that occurs when you’ve developed kidney disease.
- Needing to urinate often, especially during the night.
- Seeing blood in your urine, which indicates that you may have damaged kidney filters. Blood in the urine can also signal kidney stones, a kidney infection or tumors.
- Noticing that your urine is foamy, a sign that there’s too much protein in your urine.
- Developing itchy dry skin that may be an early precursor to mineral or bone disease. It often signals an advanced stage of kidney disease, too.
- Getting puffiness around your eyes on a regular basis, which is a sign that your kidneys may be leaking protein into your bloodstream.
- Cramping in your muscles due to low electrolyte levels.
- Swelling in your feet and ankles because of salt and water retention.
- Experiencing a suppressed appetite.
Many of these symptoms may be due to other causes, but can eventually impact your kidneys if not addressed. To verify if your kidneys ae damaged, your nephrologist performs tests to confirm a diagnosis, such as:
- Urine analysis that checks for albumin, which is a protein that shows up in your urine if you have kidney disease
- Blood tests to determine how well your kidneys are filtering your blood
- Ultrasound imaging tests that allow your doctor to assess the shape and size of your kidneys
- A biopsy under local anesthesia, which involves taking a small sample of your kidney’s tissue so it can be analyzed in a lab to determine the cause of your kidney disease
What Treatments Does Nephrology Medicine Offer?
Your very first step at the Medex Diagnostic and Treatment Center in Queens is to tackle early signs of kidney disease with lifestyle changes to control or slow down its progression. You may need to take medications to manage the underlying cause of your kidney damage. You may also need high blood pressure medication or supplements to tackle anemia, even after you’ve started eating better and hydrating.
There is no cure for chronic kidney disease, which is why your nephrologist wants to stop it in its tracks as soon as possible. While research for kidney disease shows promise for slowing down the disease’s progression, once your kidneys begin to fail, nephrology offers two primary treatments to prolong your life:
- Dialysis, which is a mechanical function used to filter your blood
- Transplant, which means undergoing a major surgery to replace your kidney with one from a donor
Don’t wait until you experience symptoms that might require these nephrology treatments. Contact Medex today to set up an appointment. Set a course that leads to a long, healthy life for you and your kidneys.
We can help you find a doctor. Call (718) 275-8900
Licensed by the state of New York, Medex is an Article 28 diagnostic and treatment center. Our physicians provide comprehensive care for patients of all ages in the Forest Hills, Queens area, for over 15 years. Start receiving expert care now by calling or scheduling an appointment online with one of the skilled specialists.
What Treatments Do We Offer?
Your very first step is to tackle early signs of kidney disease with lifestyle changes to control or slow down its progression. You may need to take medications to manage the underlying cause of your kidney damage. You may also need high blood pressure medication or supplements to tackle anemia, even after you’ve started eating better and hydrating.
FAQ
What is nephrology?Nephrology is the branch of medicine that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and management of kidney-related conditions. This includes chronic kidney disease, kidney infections, kidney stones, high blood pressure related to kidney issues, and electrolyte imbalances. At Medex Diagnostic and Treatment Center in Queens, NY, our experienced nephrologists provide comprehensive care to help maintain your kidney health, manage existing conditions, and prevent further complications. If you are experiencing symptoms such as swelling, changes in urination, or unexplained high blood pressure, our team is here to help with advanced testing and personalized treatment plans.
What is chronic kidney disease?
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a long-term condition where the kidneys gradually lose their ability to filter waste and excess fluids from the blood. Over time, CKD can lead to serious health problems, including high blood pressure, anemia, weak bones, and heart disease. Many people may not notice symptoms in the early stages, which is why regular checkups are important—especially if you have risk factors like diabetes or hypertension. At Medex Diagnostic and Treatment Center in Queens, NY, our nephrology specialists use advanced testing and personalized care plans to diagnose CKD early and slow its progression, helping patients maintain their quality of life.
What is the latest treatment for chronic kidney disease?
The treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD) has advanced significantly in recent years. Along with controlling underlying conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure, new medications such as SGLT2 inhibitors (e.g., dapagliflozin and empagliflozin) have shown major benefits in slowing CKD progression and protecting kidney function. Other newer treatments include nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (like finerenone) to reduce inflammation and fibrosis in the kidneys. At Medex Diagnostic and Treatment Center in Queens, NY, our nephrology team uses the latest, evidence-based treatments combined with personalized care plans to help manage CKD, improve quality of life, and delay the need for dialysis or transplantation.
What causes chronic kidney disease?
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) can develop from a variety of conditions that damage the kidneys over time. The most common causes are diabetes and high blood pressure, which together account for nearly two-thirds of CKD cases. Other causes include glomerulonephritis (inflammation of the kidney’s filtering units), inherited diseases like polycystic kidney disease, prolonged obstruction of the urinary tract, recurrent kidney infections, and certain autoimmune diseases. At Medex Diagnostic and Treatment Center in Queens, NY, our experienced nephrologists work to identify the underlying cause of CKD and create a personalized treatment plan to manage the disease and protect your kidney health.
Why Should I See a Nephrologist in NYC?
If you are experiencing signs of kidney problems—such as swelling, high blood pressure, changes in urination, or abnormal blood test results—it’s important to see a nephrologist. A nephrologist specializes in diagnosing and treating kidney conditions, from early-stage kidney disease to more advanced issues like chronic kidney disease (CKD) and kidney failure. At Medex Diagnostic and Treatment Center in Queens, NY, our experienced nephrologists offer comprehensive kidney care, using the latest treatments and personalized plans to help preserve your kidney function and overall health. Early intervention can make a significant difference in your long-term outcomes.
When Should I See a Kidney Specialist in NYC?
You should consider seeing a kidney specialist—also known as a nephrologist—if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, frequent urinary tract infections, kidney stones, or abnormal blood or urine tests. Kidney specialists focus on preventing, diagnosing, and managing kidney-related conditions. At Medex Diagnostic and Treatment Center in Queens, NY, our expert kidney specialists offer state-of-the-art care for patients at all stages of kidney health. Whether you need early screening or advanced treatment for chronic kidney disease, we are here to help you protect your kidney function and overall wellness.