Kidney Doctors in Egg Harbor Township, NJ

If you are looking for experienced kidney doctors in Egg Harbor Township NJ, look no further than SMC Physicians. When it comes to kidney disease, high blood pressure, kidney stones, or any other illness that can affect your kidneys it is vital that you see a doctor who specializes in the field of nephrology.

Your kidneys help remove waste from your body, maintain fluid levels, regulate blood pressure, and perform other functions that allow your body to work properly. If you are experiencing issues with your kidneys, catching the disease early on and receiving proper and continuous care can slow the advancement of your disease and minimize your risk of developing other complications.

At SMC Physicians, our nephrology doctors take care of patients with chronic kidney disease, high blood pressure (hypertension), kidney disease caused by diabetes (diabetic kidney disease), electrolyte disorders, and more. They can help you preserve kidney function and better manage your overall health.

What Does a Kidney Doctor Treat?

Kidney doctors treat diseases and conditions of the kidneys and other parts of the urinary tract system. Many kidney problems take years to develop without noticeable symptoms.

Kidney doctors, also known as nephrologists, typically treat patients experiencing:

Chronic kidney disease
High blood pressure
Kidney stones
Protein in urine
Diabetic kidney disease
Kidney infections
Fluid retention
Electrolyte disorders
Acute kidney injury
Polycystic kidney disease

Understanding Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease happens when the kidneys are no longer able to filter the body’s waste and extra fluid efficiently. It often takes years for chronic kidney disease to develop and many patients do not realize their kidneys aren’t functioning properly until later stages of disease.

Diabetes, high blood pressure, autoimmune disorders, genetics, frequent kidney infections, and long-term inflammation can all cause chronic kidney disease.

Kidney disease can lead to cardiovascular disease, fluid accumulation in the body, and worsening kidney function.

Symptoms of Kidney Disease

When kidney function begins to decline, patients may experience some of the following symptoms:

Swelling of the legs, ankles, or feet
Fatigue
Changes in urination
High blood pressure
Blood in the urine
Muscle cramps
Nausea
Concentration difficulties
Shortness of breath
Pain in the lower back or flank area

Kidney disease often goes undetected until patients have experienced significant damage to their kidneys. Baseline blood work and urine testing can help identify kidney dysfunction prior to symptoms developing.

High Blood Pressure and Kidney Disease

High blood pressure can cause kidney damage over time and is also a common complication of kidney disease. High blood pressure forces the heart to pump harder than normal, which can damage blood vessels throughout the body. The small blood vessels in the kidneys can become damaged from hypertension, limiting their ability to filter toxins from the blood.

Because declining kidney function can also cause blood pressure to rise, it is important that patients maintain normal blood pressure levels.

Diabetes and Kidney Health

Diabetes can cause kidney damage over time known as diabetic kidney disease or nephropathy. Patients with diabetes should closely monitor their kidney function and control their blood sugar levels to prevent further kidney damage.

Regular monitoring of blood pressure, urine protein levels, and electrolytes can help protect your kidneys from the effects of diabetes.

Diagnostic Testing for Kidney Disease

Your kidney doctor will perform diagnostic testing when examining your kidneys. This can include:

Blood testing
Urine testing
Kidney imaging
Blood pressure checks
Kidney function studies
Electrolyte panels

Diagnostic testing allows your doctor to see how well your kidneys are functioning and what may be causing your symptoms.