loader from loading.io

What to Expect at Your First Visit with a Nephrologist

Let’s Talk About Kidneys

Release Date: 04/18/2023

Kidney Disease: From Diagnosis, Staging and Common Lab Tests show art Kidney Disease: From Diagnosis, Staging and Common Lab Tests

Let’s Talk About Kidneys

In this episode of Let's Talk About Kidneys, Dr. Lauren McDonald, a nephrologist with Dallas Nephrology Associates, discusses the diagnosis, staging, and common tests for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).  Dr. McDonald explains how kidney disease is diagnosed, common symptoms, and some of the key tests, including BUN, creatinine, GFR, hemoglobin A1C, kidney biopsies, and more.  She also discusses the importance of being your own healthcare advocate, family histories, how to maintain health records, and the importance of monitoring your diabetes, and...

info_outline
What is New in Kidney Transplant? show art What is New in Kidney Transplant?

Let’s Talk About Kidneys

This episode of Let's Talk About Kidneys, Dr. Saim, a nephrologist with Dallas Nephrology Associates, discusses what is new in kidney transplant.  The podcast discusses advancements in kidney transplantation, focusing on the benefits and risks of living and deceased donor transplant.  Dr. Saim highlights that over 25,000 transplants were performed last year, with nearly 7,000 from living donors.  Living donor transplants offer better survival rates and shorter waiting time.  The waiting list has nearly 100,000 patients, with blood group O having the longest wait. ...

info_outline
Dialysis Patients and Their Diet show art Dialysis Patients and Their Diet

Let’s Talk About Kidneys

Let's Talk About Kidneys Dialysis Patients and Their Diet In this episode of Let’s Talk About Kidneys, Dr. Rao, a nephrologist at Dallas Nephrology Associates, discusses the importance of diet for all dialysis patients. She emphasizes the need for dietary modifications even before dialysis, focusing on reducing salt intake, managing potassium and phosphorus levels, and maintaining adequate protein consumption. Introduction Dr. Rao shares her background, mentioning that she joined Dallas Nephrology Associates fifteen years ago and sees patients mostly in Mesquite, Sunnyvale, and...

info_outline
New Treatment Therapies In Kidney Care show art New Treatment Therapies In Kidney Care

Let’s Talk About Kidneys

In this episode of the Let’s Talk About Kidneys podcast, Dr. Roberto Collazo addresses the development of new treatments for kidney disease that are essential for slowing disease progression, improving patient outcomes, and preventing kidney failure. Throughout his discussion, he will examine various therapeutic options currently available, as well as those expected in the future.   What types of treatments have there been in the past for patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)? Dr. Collazo addressed the medications available during the 1990s and early 2000s. He also discussed newly...

info_outline
Weight Management Strategies with CKD show art Weight Management Strategies with CKD

Let’s Talk About Kidneys

In this episode of the Let’s Talk About Kidneys podcast, Dallas Nephrology Associates Dietitian, Nadiya Lakhani, RDN, CSR, LD, FNKF,  explains why weight management is important to the general population and how it affects the kidneys.   How does weight affect the kidneys? When the body carries more weight than it can handle, it increases the demand on the kidneys to hyper filtrate. In other words, it forces your kidneys to work harder, which will eventually cause them to be overworked. On the flip side, unintentional weight loss increases the risk of that person having increased...

info_outline
Kidney Transplant - Getting Started show art Kidney Transplant - Getting Started

Let’s Talk About Kidneys

In this episode of the Let’s Talk About Kidneys podcast, Dr. Muhammad Qureshi talks about the benefits of a kidney transplant, why it’s a good choice after kidney failure, and what the process looks like before, during and after.  Why should a CKD patient consider a kidney transplant?  Dr. Qureshi talks about the fact that there are both mortality and morbidity benefits of a kidney transplant. In other words, not only do you live longer, but you live better.  Who qualifies for a kidney transplant? Anyone who has a kidney function less than 20% or someone who has already...

info_outline
Considering Dialysis at Home show art Considering Dialysis at Home

Let’s Talk About Kidneys

In this episode of the Let’s Talk About Kidneys podcast, Dr. Lauren McDonald talks about the types of dialysis that can be done successfully in your own home including home hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. She puts extra emphasis on the fact that choosing the right dialysis modality is a very personal choice and should be made based on a patient’s lifestyle and what is most important to them.   Overview of Home Hemodialysis Home hemodialysis is done in the home. Currently, the dialysis machine is about the size of a nightstand and everything is self contained. It does require 3.5...

info_outline
Types of Dialysis: What type of dialysis is best for me? Overview of the three types of dialysis. show art Types of Dialysis: What type of dialysis is best for me? Overview of the three types of dialysis.

Let’s Talk About Kidneys

In this episode of the Let’s Talk About Kidneys podcast, Dr. Richey talks about the different types of dialysis and provides an overview to help patients and caregivers to understand what is involved and how to decide which modality is right for each patient.    When is dialysis necessary? Dialysis is recommended when a patient’s kidneys can no longer safely support them. This is determined based on several factors: Creatinine levels Potassium levels Fluid overload Dr. Richey also mentions that doctors consider how the patient feels in addition to the items above. Can...

info_outline
A Day in the Life of a Nephrologist show art A Day in the Life of a Nephrologist

Let’s Talk About Kidneys

No day is ever the same for a nephrologist. Dallas Nephrology Associates’ Dr. Paul Skluzacek may see his kidney patients in the office, have hospital rounds, dialysis rounds and much more. In this episode of Let’s Talk About Kidneys, learn about Dr. Skluzacek’s busy days providing patient care and how his schedule changes from one day to another.  What is a Nephrologist?  are kidney doctors. They have special training that includes completion of medical school followed by a residency in Internal Medicine and then additional specialty training in Nephrology. They treat systemic...

info_outline
Sodium and Your CKD Diet show art Sodium and Your CKD Diet

Let’s Talk About Kidneys

When most people think of sodium, they think of salt. In this episode of Let’s Talk About Kidneys, Dallas Nephrology Associates’ Senior Clinical Dietitian Carolyn Cochran breaks down what sodium is, how to identify it in common foods and ways to make lifestyle adjustments for healthier kidneys.  What is sodium? Sodium is one of three important electrolytes found in the body.  Electrolytes control the fluids going in and out of your body’s tissues and cells.    “Sodium is essential for life,” Carolyn says. “It's in animals, vegetables, minerals and is important...

info_outline
 
More Episodes

Your first visit to the doctor after being diagnosed with kidney disease can be a big deal. Tune into this episode where Dallas Nephrologist Dr. Michael R. Wiederkehr breaks down what to expect at your first visit with a nephrologist at Dallas Nephrology Associates. 

Why do I need to see a Nephrologist? 

Nephrologists – experts in kidney care – treat conditions that affect the kidneys. 

Primary care physicians run routine blood or urine tests. When these results are abnormal, it could indicate that something is wrong with the kidneys. In this case, the primary care doctor will refer the patient to a nephrologist. 

Other reasons to see a nephrologist include conditions that affect the kidneys. These include:

  • Kidney stones

  • Diabetes

  • Hypertension (high blood pressure)

  • Electrolyte disturbances

What happens at the first Nephrologist Appointment

Dr. Wiederkehr says the first appointment is longer than most appointments. 

“You can expect to be present for about an hour because I need to get to know you and discuss some things that I couldn't quite understand from your records,” Dr. Wiederkehr says.

During the visit, the nephrologist is working to create a comprehensive picture of your kidney health and look at how other conditions may be affecting your kidneys. 

Blood and urine tests are typically run, and frequently, a kidney ultrasound is arranged at an outside facility. In some cases, a kidney biopsy might be needed, but Dr. Wiederkehr says this is not typical. 

An exam is performed that focuses on the kidneys and the organs that are affected by them. The heart, lungs and legs are examined to look at circulation and find out if any swelling is present. 

What to bring to your first nephrologist visit

On your first visit to Dallas Nephrology Associates you will need to bring:

  • Insurance card

  • Drivers license or photo identification

  • Completed health history 

  • All medications you currently take. Be sure to bring the medications rather than just a list of them.

What happens after my first Nephrologist appointment?

After the first appointment, a follow-up visit will be scheduled to discuss the exam and test results. After the follow-up visit, the appointment frequency will be determined by your situation. Patients with conditions that need urgent attention will see their nephrologist sooner and more frequently.

“I think as a rule, if you're a new patient with us, I will see you back in two to three months if it's something that's not urgent,” Dr. Wiederkehr says. 

 

Disclaimer

Dallas Nephrology Associates’ (DNA) podcast series, Let’s Talk About Kidneys, is provided for general information purposes only and does not replace the need to talk with a healthcare professional about your unique situation, care and options. Our goal is to provide you with as much information as possible so you can be as informed as possible. Reference to any specific product, service, entity or organization does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by DNA. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity or organization they represent. The views and opinions expressed by DNA employees, contractors or guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of DNA or any of its representatives. Some of the resources identified in the podcast are links to other websites. These other websites may have differing privacy policies from those of DNA.  Please be aware that the Internet sites available through these links and the material that you may find there are not under the control of DNA. DNA shall have no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of the external site or subsequent links. Contact the external site for answers to questions regarding its content. The resources included or referenced in the podcasts and on the website are provided simply as a service.  DNA does not recommend, approve, or endorse any of the content at the linked site(s).  The content provided on this website and in the podcasts is not medical advice and should not be used to evaluate, diagnose, treat, or correct any medical condition. The content is solely intended to educate users regarding chronic kidney disease, end-stage renal disease (“ESRD”), end-stage kidney disease (“ESKD”) and related conditions, and ESRD/ESKD treatment options.  None of the information provided on this website or referenced in the podcasts is a substitute for contacting a healthcare professional.