Frequently Asked Questions

Since kidneys are essential for optimal functioning of all organ systems by maintaining the milieu interior, a nephrologist can and does order all the investigations in a clinician’s armamentarium.

Essentially managed by urologists who are surgeons to the kidneys and genitourinary tract, incontinence can be managed alternatively with certain drugs and neurosurgical procedures where necessary.

ESRD is a stage in the progression of chronic kidney disease, and the kidneys are no longer capable of carrying out their function to maintain the milieu interior. Renal replacement therapy (regular dialysis and transplantation) is the only option to preserve life.

A balanced diet, no smoking, abstinence or modest alcohol consumption, adequate fluid intake depending on ambient weather conditions, salt restriction in diet, good glycemic control in diabetes and optimal control of BP in hypertension, regular exercise to avoid obesity are some of the measures to avoid kidney problems.

Kidney failure can be controlled, and its progression can be slowed done for a period with good conservative measures for chronic kidney disease. However, the final outcome is almost always ending stage renal disease (ESRD) requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT). Early detection of diabetic kidney disease at the stage of microalbuminuria can be reversed with diligent treatment and regular follow-up.

Dialysis is required once the cumulative GFR falls below 15ml/min/1.73 sq meter BSA. Emergency dialysis may be required for uremic complications of  Hyperkalemia Severe metabolic acidosis Fluid overload with pulmonary edema Uremic pericarditis Uremic encephalopathy  

Relevant dietary advice, including liberal fluid intake, can mitigate the recurrence of renal stones to a considerable extent.

In modern management of renal stone disease, open laparotomy is seldom required as urolithiasis (kidney/ureter/bladder stones) can be dealt with endoscopically.