Nephrologists, also known as kidney doctors or kidney specialists, are specialised doctors responsible for diagnosing and treating problems that occur in the kidneys or the urinary tract. They can also diagnose and treat conditions that cause damage to the kidneys, such as an infection, diabetes, hypertension or any autoimmune disorder. Additionally, nephrologists may perform blood tests, urinary tests and imaging studies to diagnose kidney disorders.

A nephrologist must complete a 5-year or a 5.5-year MBBS course from an institution that is recognized by the Medical Council of India (MCI). Post MBBS, any aspiring candidate must do a 2-3 years MD (Doctor of Medicine) course of nephrology. One can also check the DNB nephrology course.

Additionally, other speciality courses one can look at for nephrology include:

• Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine (Nephrology)

• FRCS - Nephrology

• Fellowship in Nephrology

• PhD - Nephrology

• DM - Nephrology

• FRACP - Nephrology

• MNAMS - Nephrology

No, nephrologists and neurologists are different in their specialisations. Nephrologists diagnose and treat conditions such as chronic kidney disease, acute kidney failure, end-stage renal disease, urinary tract infections, electrolyte imbalances, and other problems arising from the kidneys. Meanwhile, Neurologists treat a wide range of medical conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and epilepsy. They also diagnose and treat strokes, brain and spinal cord injuries, headaches, neuropathy, nerve pain and other nerve-related diseases.

An individual can consider visiting a nephrologist for a consultation if they have any of the following symptoms or conditions:

• Acute or chronic kidney disease

• High blood pressure

• Protein in the urine

• An elevated creatinine level

• A family history of kidney stones, chronic kidney disease (CKD)

• Systemic diseases such as diabetes, lupus and vasculitis

• On dialysis treatment

• Kidney transplant

• Kidney failure

• Kidney injury

• Bladder rupture

• Down syndrome

• Ectopic kidney

No, a nephrologist may not be able to treat kidney stones. However, they might be able to understand better the underlying kidney disease or issue that is leading to it. A urologist is a specialised doctor that can diagnose and treat kidney stones.

Once your general physician has evaluated your condition, they will refer you to a nephrologist for further diagnosis and treatment. It is important that you carry all relevant medical records with you when visiting the specialist, including any tests or scans that have been conducted.

Make sure to check with your nephrologist if they offer same-day appointments or if you can book an appointment online. Phable makes it easy to schedule an appointment with the best nephrologist in your area.

Yes, you can take an online or video consultation with a urologist and nephrologist. Home consultations offer numerous advantages over in-clinic visits. For starters, it saves time and money as there is no need to travel to a clinic for the consultation.

Furthermore, home consultations often provide greater convenience for patients who are unable to leave their homes due to mobility issues or illnesses.

If you are interested in booking a home consultation with a nephrologist, you can book a video consultation with Phable and get your online consultation done.

Nephrologists do not perform surgeries. However, they may perform minor procedures such as dialysis, kidney biopsies, kidney transplants, and placement of dialysis catheters, etc.

Yes, nephrologists are specialised doctors that can diagnose and treat kidney dysfunctions with the help of lifestyle changes and medications.

Your first visit to the nephrologist is crucial. To ensure you get the best care, remember to bring: a list of your symptoms and how long they've been persisting, contact information for all current doctors, your medication list, medical history (including any imaging studies or lab tests), plus be prepared for physical examination from your nephrologist.