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Kidney Care
Rely on the nephrologists at Essentia Health to provide you with exceptional kidney care so you can have the best possible quality of life. We treat all types of kidney disorders from kidney stones to kidney failure.
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What's a Nephrologist?
A nephrologist is an internal medicine doctor who has specialized training in the diagnosis and treatment of kidney disease. Nephrologists treat many different kidney disorders including acid-base disorders, electrolyte disorders, kidney stones, high blood pressure, and end-stage kidney disease.
When to See a Nephrologist
Your primary care provider may want you to see a nephrologist for:
- Abnormal blood or urine test results
- Difficulty controlling blood pressure
- Recurring kidney stones
Your primary care provider may refer you to a nephrologist.
Conditions Treated
See the full list of conditions we treat, and select a condition to find providers and locations near you.
Kidney Stones
Depend on our nephrologists to diagnose kidney stones, slow the growth of existing stones, and help prevent new ones. We may do blood tests, have you collect your urine for 24 hours to check your kidney function, and order imaging tests to show your kidney stone. Your doctor will recommend the best treatment for your type of kidney stone.
Kidney Disease
When your kidneys don’t work properly, waste builds up in your blood and you may experience health problems. Early stage kidney disease has no symptoms, but it can be detected through screening tests. You have an increased risk of kidney disease if you have:
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Family history of kidney failure
High Blood Pressure Treatment
If you have a kidney problem and uncontrolled hypertension, your kidney doctor may prescribe medications to help lower your blood pressure and preserve kidney function.
Renal Vascular Disease
When renal vascular disease affects blood flow in the arteries and veins of your kidneys, it can cause kidney damage, kidney failure, and high blood pressure. Our nephrologists will diagnose and monitor your condition. If needed, they may refer you to interventional radiology, or vascular medicine, or general surgery to have a procedure.
Kidney Failure
Healthy kidneys clean your blood and make hormones to keep your bones strong and your blood healthy. When your kidneys don’t work properly or you experience kidney failure, you’ll need dialysis or a kidney transplant. Essentia does not perform kidney transplants but your kidney doctor will refer you to a transplant surgeon.
Current Clinical Research Studies
Talk to your doctor to see if you may be eligible to participate in a research study through the Essentia Institute of Rural Health. By participating in a clinical study, you may have access to treatments, medications and medical devices that are not widely available.