Kidney Doctors in Atlantic City, NJ

Patients looking for kidney doctors in Atlantic City, NJ can turn to SMC Physicians for comprehensive nephrology care and long-term kidney health management. If you have chronic kidney disease, high blood pressure, kidney stones, or another condition that affects kidney health, it's important to have a qualified physician to help you manage your condition.

The kidneys play an important role in filtering waste from the blood and regulating blood pressure, as well as maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance and supporting other key functions of the body. If you have kidney disease or impaired kidney function, early detection and routine medical care from a qualified physician can help slow the progression of the disease.

Our nephrology team at SMC Physicians treats patients with kidney disease, high blood pressure, electrolyte imbalances, and other disorders of the kidneys.

What Does a Kidney Doctor Treat?

A kidney doctor, also called a nephrologist, specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases affecting the kidneys. Many kidney conditions develop gradually and may not cause obvious symptoms during the early stages.

Nephrologists commonly treat:

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

Kidney specialists also help manage complications related to diabetes and hypertension, which are among the leading causes of kidney disease.

Understanding Chronic Kidney Disease

Kidney disease develops when your kidneys slowly fail to filter out waste and fluid from your body. Chronic kidney disease can take years to develop, so catching it early is possible with routine checkups and treatment.

The most common causes of kidney disease are:

• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Autoimmune diseases
• Genetic kidney diseases
• Kidney infections
• Chronic kidney inflammation

Kidney disease can eventually lead to damage to your heart, blood vessels, bones and general health.

Symptoms of Kidney Problems

Kidney disease may not present symptoms until later on. Once the kidneys start failing, you will notice symptoms throughout the body.

Symptoms that should be checked by a kidney specialist are:

• Swelling in legs or feet
• Fatigue
• Changes in urination
• High blood pressure
• Blood in urine
• Persistent nausea
• Shortness of breath
• Muscle cramps
• Difficulty concentrating
• Pain in your flank or lower back

Kidney problems can be asymptomatic for a while due to symptoms coming on slowly. Many kidney problems are found during routine blood work or urinalysis.

Treatment Options for Kidney Disease

Treatment varies based on the patient’s diagnosis, kidney function, medical history, and general health. Many treatments manage symptoms and try to slow the progression of the disease.

Treatment may include:

• Blood pressure control
• Blood sugar control
• Change in medications
• Dietary changes
• Fluid restrictions
• Kidney stone treatment
• Monitoring electrolytes
• Lifestyle changes

Monitoring of kidney function is crucial since it can vary with time.

Managing Kidney Health Long-Term

Kidney care frequently includes working with your medical team and making lifestyle changes. You may need to make diet, fluid, medication, and blood pressure modifications if you have kidney disease. Routine follow-up appointments allow your nephrology care team to monitor your kidney function and detect changes as soon as possible.

Undergoing regular kidney care may decrease your risk of:

• Cardiovascular complications
• Fluid buildup
• Electrolyte imbalances
• Kidney failure
• Hospitalization

Personalized Nephrology Care

Kidney disease affects every patient differently. Some patients have mild kidney dysfunction that is stable for years. Other patients need treatments to aggressively slow the progression of their disease.

At SMC Physicians, our nephrology care team customizes treatment plans to meet the needs of each patient. We consider the patient’s condition, symptoms, medical history, and overall health goals when developing a care plan. Care is then modified as needed when providers reevaluate your kidney function.

Finding Kidney Doctors in Atlantic City, NJ

The SMC Physicians team provides nephrology care for patients experiencing chronic kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetic kidney disease, kidney stones, and other kidney-related conditions.

If you are looking for kidney doctors in Atlantic City, NJ, contact SMC Physicians today. Call our team directly at (609) 350-6780 or use our online form to request an appointment and learn more about available nephrology services.