The kidney is the organ that is involved with removing excess waste products and fluid in the body through the process of excretion. Urine is produced in this organ and is mainly composed of waste products. Besides removing excess waste products, kidneys also play a vital role in regulating body salts, acid content, and potassium among other materials. Another function performed by kidneys is the stimulation of the production of red blood cells. Red blood cells regulate calcium, blood pressure, and metabolism of electrolyte in the body.
The vital functions performed by kidneys in the body makes them very important. Severe health conditions can result if there is any slight problem with them. Thus, a kidney doctor needs to be consulted immediately if one realizes any problem that may be related to the organ. Those medical practitioners who have specialty in handling medical conditions of the kidneys are called nephrologists.
The term nephrologist is derived from a Greek word nephros. The translation of the word nephros from Greek to English means renal or kidney while ologist means a person who studies. The word kidney doctors and the term nephrologists are employed interchangeably. Nephrologists have training in internal medicine, but they undergo more training and specialization to be able to treat diseases affecting kidneys.
Nephrology is one of the branches of internal medicine. One needs to be a degree holder from an accredited medical school in order to qualify to work in this profession. To be admitted into a medical school, it is mandatory for one to first have a bachelor degree. Part of qualification calls for completion of a three-year residency. Certification can only be applied for after completing the residency program.
In Cleveland, as part of the process to qualify to work as nephrologists, applicants are supposed to take and pass (ABIM) American Board of Internal Medicine certification exam. In addition to the three years of residency, additional one or two years of clinical or laboratory research is needed in some programs. Clinical or laboratory research qualifies practitioners more in their area of specialty.
Residency programs cover a lot of areas in nephrology including disease management and diagnosis. They receive training in all surgical procedures pertaining to dialysis such as placement of catheter and vascular access. They become experts in peritoneal dialysis, hemodialysis and all other dialysis treatments. They also receive training in performing kidney biopsies. Before qualifying in any specialty, leaners must take and pass a separate qualification exam.
Generally, nephrologists treat patients referred to them by general physicians or primary care physicians. They treat and care for a wide range of diseases including acute renal failure, high blood pressure, PKD, CKD, and kidney stones. They also perform transplants of kidneys and dialysis. Care begins after reviewing the medical history of the patient first.
Testing of blood and urine is part of the diagnosis process. The tests tell the nephrologist how well the kidneys are performing. In case the tests do not suffice, a biopsy or ultrasound may be ordered. These practitioners are not trained in surgery. That implies that they cannot carry out surgical operations.
The vital functions performed by kidneys in the body makes them very important. Severe health conditions can result if there is any slight problem with them. Thus, a kidney doctor needs to be consulted immediately if one realizes any problem that may be related to the organ. Those medical practitioners who have specialty in handling medical conditions of the kidneys are called nephrologists.
The term nephrologist is derived from a Greek word nephros. The translation of the word nephros from Greek to English means renal or kidney while ologist means a person who studies. The word kidney doctors and the term nephrologists are employed interchangeably. Nephrologists have training in internal medicine, but they undergo more training and specialization to be able to treat diseases affecting kidneys.
Nephrology is one of the branches of internal medicine. One needs to be a degree holder from an accredited medical school in order to qualify to work in this profession. To be admitted into a medical school, it is mandatory for one to first have a bachelor degree. Part of qualification calls for completion of a three-year residency. Certification can only be applied for after completing the residency program.
In Cleveland, as part of the process to qualify to work as nephrologists, applicants are supposed to take and pass (ABIM) American Board of Internal Medicine certification exam. In addition to the three years of residency, additional one or two years of clinical or laboratory research is needed in some programs. Clinical or laboratory research qualifies practitioners more in their area of specialty.
Residency programs cover a lot of areas in nephrology including disease management and diagnosis. They receive training in all surgical procedures pertaining to dialysis such as placement of catheter and vascular access. They become experts in peritoneal dialysis, hemodialysis and all other dialysis treatments. They also receive training in performing kidney biopsies. Before qualifying in any specialty, leaners must take and pass a separate qualification exam.
Generally, nephrologists treat patients referred to them by general physicians or primary care physicians. They treat and care for a wide range of diseases including acute renal failure, high blood pressure, PKD, CKD, and kidney stones. They also perform transplants of kidneys and dialysis. Care begins after reviewing the medical history of the patient first.
Testing of blood and urine is part of the diagnosis process. The tests tell the nephrologist how well the kidneys are performing. In case the tests do not suffice, a biopsy or ultrasound may be ordered. These practitioners are not trained in surgery. That implies that they cannot carry out surgical operations.
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