What is the difference between urologist and nephrologist

On the other hand, many conditions need collaboration between them for best results. For example, someone with severe blockage in the kidney tract may end up with kidney failure. While the nephrologist treats the kidney failure part, the urologist may operate or perform a procedure to remove the blockage.

So, there you have it. The difference between urology and nephrology explained in a simple way. Hope it saves you a lot of time waiting for the wrong doctor! Some of the common diseases which are treated by urologist include:. To summarize, nephrologists specifically treat diseases that affect the kidneys and their ability to function, such as diabetes or kidney failure.

Urologists treat conditions of the urinary tract, including those that can be affected by the kidneys such as kidney stones and obstruction. SKI Blog.

Nephrologist vs Urologist-The difference! Jun 29, There are a variety of services that a nephrologist can offer, such as: Monitoring blood pressure Kidney disease management-Prevention and treatment such as acute renal failure, Chronic kidney disease CKD , End-stage renal disease ESRD , Anemia of kidney disease , Glomerulonephritis, Polycystic kidney disease, Hypertension, Metabolic syndrome, Pregnancy and renal disease, Acid-base disorders, Electrolyte disorders, Hematuria, Proteinuria, Kidney stones, Kidney transplant Dialysis treatments: Dialysis is used to treat patients with end-stage kidney failure defined as a loss of 85 to 90 percent of kidney function and a glomerular filtration rate GFR of less than A nephrologist will monitor dialysis and evaluate whether a kidney transplant is required if other treatments are ineffective.

A urologist also works with the male reproductive organs, such as the penis, testes , and prostate. Your primary care doctor can help prevent and treat the early stages of kidney disease. However, sometimes these early stages may not have any symptoms or may have nonspecific symptoms such as fatigue, sleep problems, and changes in the amount you urinate.

These groups include people with:. Testing can detect signs of decreasing kidney function, such as a decreasing GFR value or an increase in the level of albumin in your urine. If your test results indicate rapid or continuing deterioration of kidney function, your doctor may refer you to a nephrologist. If you need to see a nephrologist, your primary care doctor should be able to refer you to one.

In some cases, your insurance company may require that you have a referral from your primary care doctor before you can visit a specialist. If you choose not to get a referral from your primary care doctor, check with your insurance company for a list of nearby specialists covered in your insurance network.

A nephrologist is a type of doctor that specializes in diseases and conditions that affect the kidneys. They work to treat conditions such as chronic kidney disease, kidney infections, and kidney failure. Your primary care doctor will likely refer you to a nephrologist if you have a complex or advanced kidney condition that requires the care of a specialist. Discover the link between type 2 diabetes and kidney disease, the leading cause for kidney failure in the United States.

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