Kidney Doctor in Charlotte, North Carolina

Acute kidney injury is when the kidneys suddenly stop working. Normally, the kidneys filter the blood and remove waste and excess salt and water. The word “acute” means sudden. Another term for acute kidney injury is acute kidney failure.

Assessment of kidney function occurs in different ways, using the presence of symptoms and signs, as well as measurements using urine tests, blood tests, and medical imaging. Functions of a healthy kidney include maintaining a person’s fluid balance, maintaining an acid-base balance; regulating electrolytes including sodium, potassium, and other electrolytes; clearing toxins; regulating blood pressure; and regulating hormones, such as erythropoietin; and activation of vitamin D.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is defined as kidney damage or decreased kidney function for three (3) months or more. If less than three (3) months, this is considered acute kidney injury. Decrease kidney functions refer to a decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR). GFR varies individually by age and gender, but a general decline of GFR is indicative of decreased kidney function.

Dialysis is the process of removing excess water, solutes, and toxins from the blood in people whose kidneys can no longer perform these functions naturally. Dialysis is used as a temporary measure in either acute kidney injury or in those awaiting a kidney transplant and as a permanent measure in those for whom a transplant is not indicated or not possible.

End-stage renal disease occurs when chronic kidney disease reaches an advanced state. Your kidneys are no longer able to work as they should to meet your body’s needs. You need dialysis or a kidney transplantation to stay alive. You may also choose to forgo dialysis or kidney transplantation and opt for conservative care to manage your symptoms — aiming for the best quality of life possible during your remaining time.

Renal hypertension, also called renovascular hypertension, is elevated blood pressure caused by kidney disease. It can usually be controlled by blood pressure drugs. Some people with renal hypertension can be helped by angioplasty, stenting, or surgery on the blood vessels of the kidney.

Metabolic Bone Disorders – This is a collective term used for a number of diseases, which affect the strength of the bones of the body and make them weak. Some of the diseases that can come under the umbrella of Metabolic Bone Disorders are osteoporosis, osteomalacia, Paget’s Disease, etc. These disorders are usually caused by abnormalities in the levels of minerals like calcium or phosphorus, vitamin D, or an abnormality of bone structure.

Nephritis is a condition in which the nephrons, the functional units of the kidneys, become inflamed. This inflammation, which is also known as glomerulonephritis, can adversely affect kidney function.

We provide evaluation, management, and follow-up after kidney transplant services after your transplant institution discharges you to a nephrologist’s care.

Vascular access refers to the method in which a tube is inserted into a patient’s bloodstream to grant easy access to their veins. This method enables kidney failure patients to undergo haemodialysis. No matter the cause of kidney failure, every dialysis patient must undergo vascular access. The access allows blood to travel through these tubes into the dialysis machine where it can be cleaned and returned into the bloodstream.