Visiting a new healthcare professional could be nerve-wracking. You might have numerous questions and be concerned about the answers you receive. However, understanding what to expect during your initial appointment with a nephrologist could help ease this anxiety. Jonathan Pankow, M.D. addresses various kidney diseases and concerns, ranging from recurring UTIs to more serious conditions like Kidney stones. Check out this post to learn what you should expect during your initial consultation.
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What Happens During an Initial Nephrology Consultation?
Your initial appointment with a kidney physician will primarily involve assessing your medical history, existing health, and objectives. Your medical history could influence chronic kidney disease and other renal issues. For instance, previous health difficulties, such as a stroke, could indicate chronic kidney disease.
Moreover, your kidney expert can perform the following during your initial consultation:
1. Inquire Concerning Your Diet
If you have issues with your kidney health, your nephrologist will likely evaluate your diet during your first appointment. Your physician may suggest a kidney-specific diet, like the DASH diet to Stop Hypertension.
The DASH diet feeds your kidneys and body with foods rich in critical nutrients, such as magnesium, calcium, potassium, and phosphorus, and foods low in sodium and fat. As food is one of life’s greatest delights, you may be apprehensive about being given a diet. Nevertheless, the DASH diet is unlike the numerous fad diets you may have come across; it provides lots of flexibility and does not drastically restrict the variety of foods you enjoy.
2. Inquire About Your Water Consumption
Water is just as important for kidney health as eating the correct foods and nutrients. Water is necessary to eliminate waste from the body through the kidneys and transport vital nutrients to your other areas.
During your first appointment with a nephrologist, they may inquire about your average water intake and request a urine sample. Urine samples examine an individual’s hydration level and kidney functionality.
3. Conduct A Renal Ultrasound
Renal ultrasonography is a non-intrusive imaging technique. This procedure can detect abnormal inflammation, infections, kidney stones, cysts, and cancer, among other health concerns. Your doctor may also propose further imaging techniques like an antegrade pyelogram or a CT scan. Nonetheless, your nephrologist could suggest an ultrasound if imaging is necessary.
Why Visit a Nephrologist?
Before your initial appointment with a nephrologist, you might question if you are visiting one for the correct reasons. However, no justification is needed to consult a nephrologist. 90% of patients with chronic kidney disease are unaware of their condition, and by the time symptoms appear, the disease has advanced. If you have any kidney-related concerns, regardless of whether you experience symptoms, arrange a meeting with your nephrologist.
Obtaining answers to your concerns regarding your kidney health could be frightening. Nonetheless, acquiring the information necessary to enhance kidney health could be empowering. Nephrologists recognize the worries patients often have and will help you make a well-informed decision on your care plan based on your unique needs. If you have more serious health concerns, like a chronic kidney illness, your doctor can schedule a dialysis care plan for you.
Tiffany is a Medical Student and also works as a fitness coach in part-time. She is also a writer and writes on health and fitness articles. Tiffany loves to engage with users and help them provide various useful information on General Health. She provides researched-based information and also featured on various blogs and magazines.