Providing excellent clinical care to patients suffering from acute and chronic renal conditions, we are engineered to deliver excellent outcomes. As one of the most technologically advanced programs in India, we are dedicated to caring for patients with all types of kidney disorders and abnormalities. These include clinical nephrology, haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, critical care nephrology and renal transplantation. Additionally, our centre specialises in the treatment of a broad spectrum of urological conditions ranging from cancers of the urogenital and renal system to ailments such as male and female incontinence and even paediatric urology. Our experienced team includes kidney transplant specialists, nephrologists, urologists and support staff who meet the challenges of conducting multiple lifesaving procedures. To address renal diseases holistically we have a team of social workers, psychologists, dieticians, nurses, technicians and transplant co-ordinators who provide the warmth and care to patients and families. At this department, we offer the most advanced diagnostics, comprehensive pre-operative evaluation and dialysis support, the latest facilities available in procedures, and complete post-operative care to minimise the chances of infection.
Advanced Technology & Facilities
Well equipped with the latest medical equipment, modern technology & infrastructure, Aster Hospital is one of the best hospitals in India.
Urine test
Blood tests
Renal function tests- BUN, Creatinine, Na/K, Cl-GFR
Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring
Imaging tests:
-Intravenous urography (IVU)
-Voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG)
-CT scan of the kidney and urinary tract
Renal angiography
Kidney biopsy
Outpatient Consultation for patients of all ages.
Measures to detect, prevent and stop progression of kidney diseases
Close follow-up and advice on management of different forms kidney diseases (along with the team of social workers, nurses and renal dieticians).
Outpatient Consultation for patients of all ages
Extracorporeal shock wave Lithotripsy for renal and ureteric stones
Flexible Cystoscopy for both diagnostic and therapeutic procedures
Transrectal Ultrasound guided prostrate biopsy
Minor procedures like urethral dilatation, suture removal, BCG installation
Aster Hospitals, for the first time in Kerala, introduces Robotic Surgery with da Vinci Robot- a highly advanced surgical Robot that performs minimally invasive surgeries with utmost precision. What can be called the next level in surgery, the da Vinci Robot has multi-limbed surgical robot with tiny wrists that bend in all directions, offering precision, dexterity and fine manipulation beyond that of human hand. The Surgeon performs minimally invasive surgeries by manipulating three robotic arms and a video camera that are inserted through small skin incisions, while seated in front of a computer console with 3D video screen and controls. The option of Robotic surgery is available in the Urology, Cardiothoracic, Gynaecology, Oncology, Gastroenterology, Bariatric and Paediatric Surgery Departments at Aster Medcity.
FAQs
Want to find out more about the treatment? The answer to your questions can be found below.
Are there any dietary changes required to prevent Kidney disease?
Kidney-friendly meal plan( Low salt diet-avoid consuming canned foods, Pickles)
Adequate Hydration,
Voiding self/over the counter medication,
Abstinence from smoking
What can I do to protect my kidneys?
Get regular health checkup done(especially when there is a family history), Blood pressure and Blood sugar levels.
How does high blood pressure affect the Kidney?
Your kidneys and circulatory system depend on each other for good health. High Blood pressure will damage the delicate functioning units of the kidney which do not filter blood well, Damaged kidneys fail to regulate blood pressure. It's a vicious cycle.
Is drinking a lot of water good for kidneys?
Adequate hydration is good for healthy kidneys(for eg: A 70 kg individual is supposed to drink 10 glasses of water(2.5 -3 L/day).
Can kidney failure be controlled?
Healthy lifestyle, good control of blood sugar and blood pressure, adherence to Medication.
Is there surgery required for the removal of stones?
In modern management of renal stone disease, open laparotomy is seldom required as urolithiasis (kidney/ureter/bladder stones) can be dealt with endoscopically.
When is dialysis required?
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
What should be the lifestyle to avoid kidney problems?
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.
How can urinary incontinence be managed?
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.
What disease does a nephrologist treat?
All primary diseases of the kidney and renal diseases secondary to other diseases fall in the realm of nephrologists. To name a few, acute nephritis, Nephrotic syndrome, AKI, CKD, UTI, obstructive uropathy, nephrolithiasis, hypertension, renal tubular disorders, and asymptomatic urinary abnormalities.
Why tests do nephrologists perform?
Kidney biopsy
What is MD in internal medicine?
MD internal medicine is a recognized postgraduate degree conforming to the stringent criteria of NMC (earlier medical council of India). The MD qualified doctors are permitted to practice and treat all medicine cases sans
interventions in cardiology or endoscopy in gastroenterology or performing dialysis in chronic kidney diseases.
What is the difference between internal medicine and general practice?
General practitioners are MBBS graduates who practice fundamental aspects of medicine, surgery to name a few.
What procedures do internal medicine doctors do?
Generally simple procedures like Pleural aspiration, peritoneal aspiration, pericardial aspiration. Ultrasound-guided aspiration of the Liver abscess, CSF analysis by spinal Tap, bone marrow aspiration, and biopsy can be done.
What to do while taking internal medicine treatment?
Just follow the prescription and, if required by follow up teleconsultation.
What is Kidney failure?
Kidney failure (also called renal failure) means one or both kidneys can no longer function well on their own.
How is kidney failure diagnosed?
Doctors use a variety of tests to measure kidney function and diagnose kidney failure. Through blood tests, Advance imaging which can show kidney abnormalities or obstructions (blockages) and urine tests.
What is Kidney Transplant?
Some people with kidney failure may be able to have a kidney transplant. During transplant surgery, a healthy kidney from a donor is placed into your body. The new, donated kidney does the work that your two kidneys used to do.
Who should visit the Nephrology department?
Anyone with symptoms of kidney disease, such as difficulty urinating, blood in urine, swelling in the feet and ankles, or changes in urine output, should consider visiting the Nephrology department. Patients with high blood pressure or diabetes, which are common risk factors for kidney disease, may also benefit from a visit to the Nephrology department.
Can kidney disease be prevented?
Some types of kidney disease can be prevented or delayed by making healthy lifestyle choices, such as maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, avoiding smoking, managing conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure, and limiting salt intake.
What are the indications of chronic kidney diseases?
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a long-term condition that occurs when the kidneys are damaged and cannot filter waste and excess fluids from the blood as well as they should. Here are some indications of chronic kidney disease:
High blood pressure: Chronic kidney disease can cause high blood pressure, and high blood pressure can also cause kidney damage. It is essential to monitor blood pressure regularly in people with CKD.
Proteinuria: Proteinuria is the presence of excess protein in the urine. It is a sign that the kidneys are not functioning correctly and may be an early indication of CKD.
Abnormal urine: Abnormal urine may include blood in the urine, foamy urine, or urine that appears cloudy or dark.
Edema: Edema is the swelling of the feet, ankles, and legs due to the buildup of excess fluids in the body. It can be a sign of kidney disease when it is not caused by other medical conditions.
Fatigue and weakness: Chronic kidney disease can cause fatigue and weakness due to the buildup of toxins in the body that the kidneys cannot eliminate.
Anemia: Anemia is a condition in which there is a shortage of red blood cells in the body. Chronic kidney disease can cause anemia due to a decrease in the production of a hormone called erythropoietin, which is produced by the kidneys and stimulates the production of red blood cells.
Poor appetite and weight loss: Chronic kidney disease can cause poor appetite and weight loss due to the buildup of toxins in the body and changes in the body's metabolism.
Can I lead a healthy life with a single Kidney after donating one of my Kidneys?
Yes, if you are in good health and are a good candidate for kidney donation, and if you receive appropriate care before and after the surgery, it is possible to lead a healthy and fulfilling life with just one kidney.
The remaining kidney will typically increase in size and function to compensate for the loss of the other kidney. In fact, many people live with just one kidney without ever realizing it, as some people are born with only one functioning kidney and don't experience any health problems as a result.
However, it is important to follow any recommended post-surgery care and monitoring, which may include regular check-ups and lifestyle changes to help ensure the remaining kidney stays healthy.
How is early-stage CKD treated?
Low Protein Diet, Low salt diet, keeping Blood Sugars and Blood Pressure under control, maintaining BMI<23 kg/m2.
Is there a diet that is good for kidneys?
Low protein and low salt diet. By reducing protein intake, people with kidney disease who are not on dialysis can reduce stress on their kidneys and prevent the buildup of urea in the bloodstream. Limiting sodium can help lower the risk of developing hypertension, cardiovascular disease, congestive heart failure and chronic kidney disease.
Lower-protein foods: Bread, Fruits, Vegetables, Pasta and rice.
Avoid higher-protein foods: Red meat, Poultry, Fish, Eggs.
Low Potassium and low phosphorus foods.
What habits damage the kidney?
Obesity, Physical inactivity, Smoking, less intake of water, abusing salt shaker, eating processed food, eating too much meat and too much food high in sugars, Heavy alcohol drinkers, pain killer abuse.
How is Diabetes control related to my kidney function?
With diabetes, the small blood vessels in the kidney are injured, your kidneys cannot clean your blood properly. The body of an individual will retain more water and salt than it should, which can result in weight gain and ankle swelling. You may have protein in your urine. Also, waste materials will build up in your blood.
Is there a surgery required for removal of stones?
The need for surgery is decided based on the size of the stone, their location and obstruction caused by the stones.
Can something be done to prevent the recurrence of stones?
Relevant dietary advice, including liberal fluid intake, can mitigate the recurrence of renal stones to a considerable extent.
Can kidney failure be controlled?
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.
What is end-stage renal disease?
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.
Which test can a nephrologist recommend?
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.
What do nephrologists do on the first visit?
Detailed history taking, complete physical exam, recording of BP and BMI, and ordering of investigations (based on provisional diagnosis), including a mandatory complete urine examination and basic USG for kidneys.
Is there surgery required for the removal of stones?
In modern management of renal stone disease, open laparotomy is seldom required as urolithiasis (kidney/ureter/bladder stones) can be dealt with endoscopically.
Do internists perform surgery?
Internists do not perform any surgeries since it is the domain of surgical specialty.
What does a doctor in internal medicine do?
Internal Medicine doctors practice various illnesses related to all sub-branches of Internal Medicine.
What is the difference between internal medicine and primary care?
MBBS graduates give primary care, and the practice of Internal medicine involves secondary care, and tertiary care is given by super-specialist.
Is dialysis the only option if I develop ESRD?
Unless renal transplant is envisaged and planned patient has to be on maintenance dialysis either or hemodialysis.
What causes kidney failure?
The most common causes of kidney failure are diabetes and high blood pressure. Sometimes, though, kidney failure happens quickly due to an unforeseen cause.
What is Dialysis?
Dialysis is a treatment for people whose kidneys are failing. Dialysis does the work of your kidneys, removing waste products and excess fluid from the blood.
How to find a match and compatibility with a Kidney Transplant donor?
There are three main blood tests that will determine if a patient and a potential donor are a kidney match. They are blood typing, tissue typing and cross-matching.
What is a kidney transplant, and who is eligible for it?
A kidney transplant is a surgical procedure in which a healthy kidney is transplanted from a donor into a person with kidney failure. Eligibility for a kidney transplant depends on several factors, including overall health, age, and the severity of kidney disease. The Nephrology department can provide information about kidney transplantation and help patients determine whether they are eligible for the procedure.
What should I expect during a visit to a Nephrologist?
During a visit to a Nephrologist, the doctor will take a detailed medical history, perform a physical exam, and order any necessary tests. The doctor may also discuss treatment options, such as medications, dietary changes, and lifestyle modifications. If necessary, the doctor may refer you to a dialysis center or transplant program.
What should I carry with me on my first to the nephrologist?
It is essential to arrive early for your appointment to complete any necessary paperwork and check-in procedures. You should also wear comfortable clothes and be prepared to discuss your medical history and current symptoms with the nephrologist.
You need to carry the following things along;
Medical records: You should bring any medical records related to your kidney health, such as previous blood tests, urine tests, imaging reports, and biopsy results.
List of medications: You should prepare a list of all medications you are currently taking, including over-the-counter medications, supplements, and vitamins.
Insurance information: You should bring your insurance information, including your insurance card and any relevant documents.
List of questions: You should prepare a list of questions to ask the nephrologist during your appointment. These may include questions about your kidney health, treatment options, and lifestyle modifications.
Family history: You should provide your family history related to kidney health if you have any.
Payment: You should be prepared to make a payment if required. The billing department of the healthcare provider should be able to inform you about the payment process.
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