Nephrology

Advanced kidney disease treatment in New Orleans

Our board-certified nephrologists diagnose and treat kidney diseases and disorders. Nephrology is a medical specialty focusing on the kidneys, which are two fist-sized, bean-shaped organs that have many important bodily functions. Part of what makes the kidneys so important is their ability to excrete waste products and excess fluid out of the body through urine. They also release hormones that regulate blood pressure and dispose of excess acids that buildup over time in the body.

Whether you have acute or chronic kidney disease, you likely won’t notice any symptoms until it is very advanced because of the non-specific nature of kidney disease symptoms that make early detection a big challenge. For this reason, routine blood and urine tests are crucial in detecting kidney dysfunction.

Some of the signs of kidney disease include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Difficulty urinating
• Flank pain near the kidneys
• Insomnia and/or fatigue
• A “metallic” taste in the mouth
• Muscle twitches and camps
• Swelling in the feet and ankles
• Persistent itching
• Shortness of breath