What Doctor to See With Severe Kidney Pain
Severe kidney pain is pain that is felt in the small of the back or the side. Since the kidneys are located behind the abdomen, many kidney disorders also cause pain in this area. Seek immediate medical attention for this type of pain, as the cause may be serious.
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Physician
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Nephrologists are specialist physicians that treat disorders of the kidneys. If you have severe kidney pain, your primary care provider will refer you to a nephrologist for evaluation.
Duties
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The main goal of a nephrologist is to preserve what is left of a person's kidney function. Nephrologists also work with people who have diabetes and hypertension, both of which can lead to kidney damage or kidney failure.
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Physical Examination
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The nephrologist will ask you to list all of the medications you are taking and describe your medical history. You may be asked if you have a history of kidney stones, kidney infections and other kidney disorders. During a physical examination, the doctor will press on your side to see if pressure causes pain or discomfort.
Tests
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Nephrologists use blood, urine and imaging tests to diagnose conditions that affect the kidneys. Blood tests will reveal if there is a buildup of dangerous waste products in the blood. Urine tests reveal red or white blood cells in the urine, which indicate infection. Imaging studies like X-rays and ultrasounds can identify kidney stones, urinary obstructions and other causes of kidney damage and pain.
Treatments
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Nephrologists prescribe treatments such as medications, special diets for people with renal disease and hemodialysis (artificial filtration of the blood). If a kidney transplant is necessary, a nephrologist monitors the patient after a transplant surgeon has completed the procedure.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of hobvias sudoneighm
