Nephrology

As part of RWJBarnabas Health, our experienced nephrologists at Avenel Iselin Medical Group are skilled in diagnosing and treating the various issues related to the kidneys with precision and care. Your medical treatment options depend on your specific condition but can involve medicine and renal replacement therapy. Some of our medical facility’s main areas of focus include:

Anemia

This is a condition that occurs from a shortage of healthy red blood cells which leads to a reduced oxygen flow to the organs in the body. Symptoms may include rapid heartbeat, lightheadedness, fatigue, paleness, and shortness of breath. Depending on your situation, AIMG may treat your condition with Vitamin B supplements, blood transfusions, or other medications.

High blood pressure (hypertension)

This is a condition that occurs when a person’s blood pressure is higher than normal levels. Typically, a blood pressure above 140/90 is considered hypertension, and 180/120 is considered severe. Common causes are stemmed from eating a diet high in salt, fat, and/or cholesterol. Other contributing factors can be kidney-related, hormone-related, or inherited. Management of hypertension involves following a healthy diet and exercise regimen and taking medications to help lower blood pressure.

Kidney stones

When your urine contains high levels of dissolved minerals and salts, it can occasionally form stones. Kidney stones generally start small but can grow larger if left untreated. While some stones stay in the kidneys and pose no problems, others can travel down the ureter to the bladder. This can cause a reduced flow of urine accompanied by pain. Other symptoms include trouble with urinating, experiencing a burning sensation while urinating, and nausea and/or vomiting. Kidney stones tend to most commonly occur in people who are overweight, have Type 2 diabetes, gout, and/or eat a diet high in animal protein and low in fruits and vegetables. Depending on the severity of your kidney stones, treatment could involve waiting for the stone to pass, medication, or surgery.

Diabetic nephropathy

This is the deterioration of kidney function that stems from hypertension or high blood pressure caused by diabetes. High blood sugar caused by diabetes combined with uncontrolled hypertension causes further damage to the kidneys. The best way to control diabetic nephropathy is through proper diet, exercise, strict monitoring of blood sugar, and medications to lower blood pressure.

Chronic kidney disease

Also called “CKD,” this is the longstanding disease of the kidneys that leads to eventual loss of kidney function. When kidneys are unable to function properly, a buildup of wastes and fluids accumulates in the body to dangerous levels. Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, muscle cramps, changes in urination habits, swelling of limbs, and other symptoms. Although this condition cannot be cured, medical interventions such as dialysis can be made to slow the progression of the disease, and in some cases a kidney transplant is necessary.

Renal failure

Renal or kidney failure can develop within a short time or be the result of a chronic condition. It can be caused by diabetes, high blood pressure, lupus, or other diseases. Symptoms can include severe nausea, vomiting, fatigue, muscle cramps, changes in urination habits, swelling of limbs, confusion, and other symptoms. This serious condition can be treated with blood pressure checks, and medication, but sometimes dialysis or even a kidney transplant is required.

Avenel Iselin Medical Group understands that living with kidney disease and related conditions can be challenging, but you aren’t alone. Ongoing developments in modern medicine and technology allow patients to live increasingly longer and more active lives, and AIMG is here for you every step of the way.

AIMG is here to provide you with the best in Nephrology support. If you have any questions about our Nephrology services or would like to schedule an appointment, please call our medical group at (732) 404-1580 or submit a request through our Patient Portal.