A nephrologist is a doctor who specializes in treating kidney diseases. Nephrologists at the Houston Kidney Specialist Center are renowned for offering comprehensive treatment options. Tsegaw E Egziti M.D is well acclaimed for providing top-notch care to patients suffering from acute and chronic kidney diseases.
The two major causes for kidney diseases are high blood pressure and diabetes. Other factors include hereditary kidney disorders such as lupus and polycystic kidney disease. High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, causes damage to blood vessels in your vital body organs. Such organs include your kidneys, heart, and brain.
Kidneys serve a critical role of removing excess fluid and waste products from your body. They are also responsible for regulating electrolyte concentrations that keep changing, depending on numerous conditions or medication. Kidney complications can be systemic disorders. That is, the complications can affect other organs of your body.
Specialized medical care and treatment is therefore extremely important. Experts at Houston Kidney Specialist Center ensure normal functioning of your kidneys by treating any conditions that hinder effective processes. Such conditions that are in the scope of nephrology include:
- Cancers of the bladder, urethra, and kidneys
- Kidney infections
- Long-term or sudden renal failure
- Nephritis and nephrotic syndrome
- Acid-base fluctuations
There are many other medical conditions that can affect your kidneys in different ways. Chronic kidney disease is described using five stages, depending on the severity of the disease. Grade 1 kidney failure indicates mild disease while grade 5 renal failure shows the need for kidney transplant or dialysis.
The most appropriate time to see a kidney doctor varies depending on your kidney function and other risk factors. Since your survival is correlated with timely consultation with a nephrologist, it’s best to see one earlier rather than later. Common signs and symptoms indicating the risk of kidney complications include:
- Consistent headaches
- Itchiness and dryness of the skin
- Reduced appetite and sense of taste
- Frequent swelling of legs, feet, or ankles
- Memory problems, unexplained confusion, or trouble focusing
- Abnormal weight loss
- Weakness, muscle cramps, or numbness
Treatments Available for Kidney Diseases
The advanced facilities with state-of-the-art dialysis units for nephrology treatment at Houston Kidney Specialist Center operate 24/7 at full capacity. The comprehensive kidney solutions and personalized services offered include:
- Plasma Dialysis (Plasmapheresis)
- Home Hemodialysis
- Home Peritoneal Dialysis
- In-CenterHemodialysis
- Kidney Transplant
- Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT)
Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT)
Critically ill patients have a high metabolic rate since their bodies are recovering from the disease. CRRT is a form of hemodialysis that enables removal of blood and pumping it through a hemofilter. The process is followed so that water and wastes can be removed slowly without bringing about hypotension.
Peritoneal Dialysis (PD)
A fluid referred to as dialysate is put into the abdominal cavity through a catheter during peritoneal dialysis. The dialysate remains there for several hours as waste products flow from capillaries into the liquid. It is then drained out when the process is over.
Kidney Transplant
Patients who have kidney failure undergo dialysis. Dialysis tends to take time and requires patients to frequently visit a dialysis center for treatments. However, a kidney transplant gives patients a chance to lead better quality lives without depending on a dialysis machine.