Best Nephrologists in Bangalore

1. What are the main causes of kidney failure?

Kidneys can become damaged from a physical injury or a disease like diabetes, high blood pressure, or other disorders. High blood pressure and diabetes are the two most common causes of kidney failure.

2. What is kidney dialysis?

Dialysis is a procedure to remove waste products and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys stop working properly. It often involves diverting blood to a machine to be cleaned.

3. Can you stop dialysis once you start?

In most cases, once a patient starts dialysis, he or she will not survive without it. However, in a few cases, patients have improved and the disease has gone into remission, allowing them to stop dialysis.

4. Can kidneys repair themselves?

If there aren’t any other problems, the kidneys may heal themselves. In most other cases, acute kidney failure can be treated if it’s caught early. It may involve changes to your diet, the use of medications, or even dialysis.

5. How many types of dialysis are there?

Renal dialysis falls into two main divisions: haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Hemodialysis cleans and filters your blood using a machine to temporarily remove harmful wastes, extra salt, and extra water from your body. Hemodialysis is most often performed in a dialysis center but home treatment options are also available.

Peritoneal dialysis uses the lining of your abdomen and dialysis solution (a mixture of minerals and sugar dissolved in water) to filter your blood removing wastes, chemicals, and extra water from your body. After several hours, the used solution is drained from your abdomen through a tube and the cycle is repeated with a fresh solution.

6. Which type of dialysis is better? 

Both are good, choice usually depends on the personal lifestyle of the patient and certain medical conditions like congestive heart failure, vascular access complications, diabetes, etc. Hemodialysis is usually performed at a dialysis center as compared to peritoneal dialysis which can be safely done at home.

CAPD is usually preferred in children as they have small vessels which are difficult to cannulate and repeated needling is painful and difficult in them. Fluid intake can be more liberal in CAPD.

7. Is it dangerous to skip dialysis? 

Yes, this can lead to fluid overload and breathing problems. It can also increase your serum potassium level which can lead to serious cardiac complications. Therefore skipping dialysis can be life-threatening.

8. What basic precautions should a patient of dialysis take? 

While on dialysis you should watch your diet. In case of any breathing trouble, should contact a doctor as may require urgent dialysis. Care of the vascular access should be ensured as advised by your physician.

9. How does dialysis work and how long does it take to complete? 

Like healthy kidneys, dialysis keeps the body in balance. It removes waste, salt, and extra water, keeps a safe level of certain chemicals in the blood, such as potassium, sodium, and bicarbonate, and helps to control blood pressure. A session of hemodialysis usually takes 4 hours three times a week whereas peritoneal dialysis is a continuous process. 

10. Can dialysis cure kidney disease? 

No, dialysis does not cure kidney disease. It does the work which the kidneys should be doing. 

11. What do the kidneys do? 

They remove waste products from the body, They balance the body’s fluids and electrolytes, They release hormones that regulate blood pressure and control calcium metabolism, They stimulate and control the production of red blood cells, They produce an active form of Vitamin D that promotes healthy bones, They provide critical regulation of the body’s salt, potassium, and acid content. 

12. What are the symptoms of kidney disease? 

Less urine, Swelling in the hands, face, and legs, Shortness of breath, appetite loss, nausea and vomiting, High Blood Pressure, Feeling cold and tired.

13. What causes kidney disease?

Diabetes and high blood pressure are the two most common causes of kidney disease. Other causes include inherited kidney diseases such as polycystic kidney disease and lupus.

14. What is uremia? 

Uremia (uremic syndrome) is a serious complication of both acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease. It occurs when urea and other waste products build up in the body because the kidneys are not able to eliminate them. These substances can become poisonous (toxic) to the body if they reach high levels.

15. How is kidney disease treated?

Controlling high blood pressure and blood sugar, Eating a healthy lower protein and lower salt diet, Losing weight, Stopping smoking, Exercising, Avoiding certain medications.

16. What is chronic kidney disease? 

Healthy kidneys function to remove extra water and waste from the blood, help control blood pressure, keep body chemicals in balance, keep bones strong, tell your body to make red blood cells and help children grow normally. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) occurs when kidneys are no longer able to clean toxins and waste products from the blood and perform their functions to full capacity. This can happen suddenly or overtime. 

17. What is the kidney diet? 

Diet can have a significant impact on the body’s overall health and the progression of CKD since certain foods can add to the accumulation of waste products and extra fluid in your blood. The kidney diet is a plan for eating that supports kidney health. Typically, a kidney diet is: Low in sodium, low in protein, low in phosphorus 

18. What populations are at increased risk for chronic kidney disease?

African Americans, Hispanics, Pacific Islanders, Native Americans, and senior citizens are at increased risk for developing chronic kidney disease.

19. How is chronic kidney disease detected? 

Early detection can be made through the following: blood pressure measurement; tests for protein in the urine; and tests for blood creatinine. 

20. What can a person do to help fight kidney disease? 

In order to maintain proper kidney health, one must drink plenty of fluids; exercise regularly; avoid smoking; maintain a healthy weight, and routinely get checked for diabetes and high blood pressure.

21. What is Creatinine?

 Creatinine is a waste product that comes from the normal wear and tears on the muscles of the body. 

22. What is GFR? 

GFR stands for Glomerular Filtration Rate. It gives an estimate of the degree of kidney function. GFR is a very important value for all patients with CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease). Change in GFR is very crucial in the management of patients with CKD and therefore all patients should know their baseline GFR and stage of kidney disease.

23. What is the best blood pressure for someone with kidney disease?

The Joint National Commission (JNC7) report on hypertension recommends patients target a blood pressure less than 130/80. Another panel of experts who specialize in kidney disease agree with the JNC recommendations except in patients with a lot of protein in their urine. They recommend more aggressive blood pressure reduction to 125/75.

24. What are the risks of a kidney biopsy?

The most common side effect is some pain. Rarely patients can get an infection. The most serious side effect is bleeding. If the bleeding doesn’t stop on its own surgery will be required to stop the bleeding. 

25. What happens if the kidney completley fails? 

Patients whose kidneys have completely shut down can live productive lives for years using renal replacement therapy. The kidney is the only organ that modern medicine has been able to successfully replace with long-term success. There are three types of renal replacement therapy: hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and kidney transplantation.

26. What is polycystic kidney disease ?

Polycystic kidney disease is a genetic condition that causes s large number of cysts to form in the kidneys. These cysts are filled with fluid and profoundly enlarge the kidneys. This change to the kidneys’ structure causes reduced kidney function and eventually leads to kidney failure.

27. How does high blood pressure affects the kidney ?

High blood pressure (also called hypertension) damages the kidney’s blood-filtering units so the blood doesn’t get cleaned. Eventually, this type of damage can cause an irreversible shutdown of the kidneys

28. What is the risk of kidney transplant surgery ?

Transplant surgery contraindications (factors that serve as a reason to withhold a treatment) include irreversible heart disease, cancer, and severe lung disease. Obesity and smoking put transplant patients at higher risk for surgical complications, so all patients are encouraged to abstain from smoking and to approach ideal body weight.

29. What is the reason kidneys are not working properly?

Kidney function is a measure of the ‘cleaning’ capacity of the kidneys, and the term kidney dysfunction primarily refers to

1. kidneys’ reduced cleaning capacity in removing toxins from the body that build up from everyday living.
2. kidneys’ reduced ability to balance fluid in the body.

These two functions of the kidneys, among others, are frequently the focus of a visit when a patient’s kidney function is impaired or at risk of deteriorating.

Other structural or functional aspects of the kidneys may have been the reason for a referral. Your nephrologist should know why you were referred, and their job with you is to further understand your condition so that they can assist in your care.

30. How rapidly is kidney function declining?

Some causes of dysfunction of the kidneys are temporary, and some are permanent. Some conditions are associated with a continued loss of function over time, and the rate at which this happens will be an indicator of the frequency and extent of attention needed to try to delay or slow kidney function decline.

31. What are the options for treatment?

Depending on the degree of kidney function loss we have, and the speed at which that loss of function has occurred, there will be options offered to either stall, reverse or delay the progression of the kidney disease. The nephrologist can explain and prepare you for decisions about additional therapy needed if your kidney function deteriorates to the point that renal replacement therapy options should be considered.

32. What is a Renal Sonogram?

This is an ultrasound of the kidneys to look for any problems in your kidneys including stones, blockages, features of disease, tumors (lumps), and more. It is a painless procedure.

33. How can renal failure be detected ?

Most kidney diseases are detected through blood and urine samples. Renal diseases may be asymptomatic until an advanced stage, so it may be difficult to identify them.

34. What is the difference between nephrologists and urologists?

Nephrology is the science of renal functions, like glomerular filtration and ion and acid-base balance and their effects on the body. Urology is centered on the urinary tract, masculine genital tract as well as their functioning, and tumors. Finally, the urologist will practice all necessary surgery.

35. How does aging affects the function of the kidney?

As we age, the number of nephrons in our kidneys decreases, as does the amount of kidney tissue; our blood vessels become thicker, and blood flow slows down. All of these factors contribute to a gradual decline in our kidney function. Seniors should have a physical from their primary care physician every six or 12 months to maintain general health.

In particular, those with high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, a family history of kidney disease, or weight issues should get tested annually, as these health conditions pose higher risks of kidney problems.

36. How does kidney disease cause anemia?

Kidney disease or damage can be the cause of anemia. Anemia means that the body does not have enough red blood cells to transport oxygen throughout the body. The kidneys create a hormone called erythropoietin (EPO), 5 which produces red blood cells. Damaged kidneys may not generate this hormone, resulting in fewer red blood cells to deliver oxygen.

37. What drugs are harmful to the kidney?

All drugs pass through the kidneys. In particular, pain medications, antibiotics, prescription laxatives, and contrast dye can reduce blood flow to the organs. Make sure you follow the instructions of your healthcare provider to prevent injury to the kidneys.

38. What is Diabetic kidney disorder?

The long-standing complications of diabetes contribute to kidney diseases. It is one of the prominent causes of kidney failure. Around one-third of people having diabetes are exposed to the risk of developing diabetic nephropathy.

39. What is Nephrotic syndrome? 

This is a kind of kidney disorder that occurs due to damage in small blood cells of the kidney. This syndrome results in the excretion of excessive protein in your urine.

40. Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy 

Patients who are critically ill tend to have a high metabolic rate as their bodies are trying to recover from the disease. They need vasoactive drugs and continuous waste elimination while also simultaneously receiving large volumes of fluid in the form of nutritional and inotropic agents and drug infusions.

Therefore, CRRT or continuous renal replacement therapy is followed so that wastes and water can be gently removed without causing hypotension.