A nephrologist is a physician who has been trained in the diagnosis and management of kidney disease, by regulating blood pressure, regulating electrolytes, balancing fluids in the body, and administering dialysis. Nephrologists treat many different kidney disorders including acid-base disorders, electrolyte disorders, nephrolithiasis (kidney stones), hypertension (high blood pressure), acute kidney disease and end-stage renal disease.

Who do you need a nephrologist?

Patients are referred to nephrology specialists for various reasons, such as:

• Acute renal failure, a sudden loss of renal function
• Chronic kidney disease, declining renal function, usually with an inexorable rise in creatinine.
• Hematuria, blood loss in the urine
• Proteinuria, the loss of protein especially albumin in the urine
• Kidney stones, usually only recurrent stone formers.
• Chronic or recurrent urinary tract infections
• Hypertension that has failed to respond to multiple forms of anti-hypertensive medication or could have a secondary cause
• Electrolyte disorders or acid/base imbalance

About Nephrology Department :

About NH : Nephrology Department started functioning in 2003 currently we do around 1000 dialysis /month & around 25 CRRT/month. We have active transplant programmes; we have successfully completed 50 transplants in one year which includes combined kidney and pancreas transplantation which was first and only of its kind in the country.

FACILITIES AVAILABLE
Hemodialysis - In this type of dialysis, an artificial unit called a dialyzer mimics the action of the nephron. To undergo hem dialysis, a person must first have a minor surgical procedure to create an access for the needles and tubing needed to connect the blood circulation to the dialysis machine. This minor surgery forms what is called an AV (arterio-venous) fistula, or a shunt, or simply a fistula. Once this is done, a person does not have to worry about difficulties being "stuck" with needles for each session of dialysis.

Most people undergo three dialysis sessions each week, for about four hours each time. A person is connected to the dialysis machine via the shunt. The dialysis machine pumps the blood through the dialyzer, which filters off the waste products, excess fluid, and excess body chemicals. The newly cleaned blood flows out of the dialyzer and is returned via a different set of tubes. During dialysis, a person also receives the hormones the kidneys are unable to produce.

• Continuous renal Replacement therapy (CRRT)- Form of Dialysis which is very useful in patients with low blood pressure and renal failures
• Peritoneal Dialysis(CAPD) - This is an entirely different way of filtering wastes from the body. Peritoneal dialysis utilizes the peritoneal membrane, which is the lining of the abdominal cavity. The peritoneal membrane is very large, and has a rich blood supply. In people with kidney failure, the peritoneal blood supply, like all the other blood in the body, contains excessive waste products and fluid, when clean fluid comes into contact with that blood supply, the wastes travel into the cleaner fluid.
• Plasma Dialysis ( Plasmapharesis) – Life saving treatment modality in selected diseases like Myesthenia Gravis, GB syndrome,HUS,immune complex mediated kidney diseases,etc.In this form of treatment harmful antibodies will be removed from blood.
• Liver Dialysis ( MARS therapy ) – Highly specialized form of dialysis which will be useful in patients with severe reversible liver damage and in early part of post liver transplantation period
• Kidney Transplantation - Kidney transplantation is the best way to treat kidney failure or end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
• Combined Kidney and Liver transplantation - For patients with rare disorders like Primary Oxalosis
• Combined Kidney and Pancrea Transplantation-Useful in patients with IDDM with severe renal failure.
• Kidney Biopsy – Diagnostic procedure to find out the cause of kidney damage
• Fully functioning Department of Radiology for invasive and non-invasive studies of the Renal systems
• Catheterisation Laboratories for renal Angiogram and Angioplasty
• Telemdicine and Telehealth Program for Nephrology Consultation in remote areas.
• Department fo Laboratory Medicine with the high tech Blood Bank with facilities for component separation and preservation.

Dialysis Unit

We have a state-of-the-art dialysis unit with modern equipment and treatment facilities. The dialysis units help in treatment of patients suffering from acute and chronic renal failure. Acute Renal Failure can be a potentially reversible condition if appropriate treatment measures are undertaken at the right time. Dialysis support can be life saving in some patients with Acute Renal Failure.

The worldwide incidence of Acute Renal Failure each year is about 140 per million population. This occurrence is documented to be much higher in India.
Considering the increase in the incidence of Acute Renal Failure (ARF) we propose to offer free dialysis support for all ARF patients as well as for those who need Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT). With a view to fulfill our mission of providing quality health care at affordable price we are providing dialysis therapy for Rs. 750 (approximately) for all chronic renal failure patients.

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