What Does a Nephrologist Do?

Overview

A nephrologist is a doctor who specializes in caring for the kidneys. These bean-shaped organs remove waste and extra fluid from your blood. They also perform other important jobs. When the kidneys don't work properly, you can develop serious and even life-threatening issues.

What do they treat?

Why would you need to see a nephrologist? They care for kidney infections and kidney stones. They help you manage chronic kidney disease. They care for kidney cancer and kidney failure. And they treat many other issues.

Diagnosing you

Your nephrologist looks at a range of factors. They give you a physical exam. They study your health history. They may order different types of tests. For example, they may need to test your blood and urine. They may order imaging scans. You could have an X-ray, a CT scan or an MRI. You can have other tests, too. They use all of this info to develop a care plan that's right for you.

Working with you

A big part of a nephrologist's job is sharing info with you. So they teach you about your condition. They make sure you know about all of your care options. They explain how these options can affect you. They help you during treatment, and give you the support you need as you recover. And they create a plan to help you live a healthy life.

Conclusion

Your nephrologist is a key part of your care team. For more info about kidney health, talk to your doctor.

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.