Nephrology & Hypertension
Nephrology is the medical subspecialty that deals with the kidneys, especially their functions and diseases. A nephrologist is a medical doctor who specializes in diseases of the kidney.
Kidneys are essentially blood-cleansing organs. Your kidneys serve several vital functions including:
- Remove waste from the body in the form of urine
- Filter toxins from the blood
- Help to regulate blood pressure and the balance of certain important nutrients, including potassium and calcium.
Locations & Hours
Ames
Medical Arts Building Office
1015 Duff Avenue
Ames, IA 50010
Hours
| Monday | 8am-5pm |
| Tuesday | 8am-5pm |
| Wednesday | 8am-5pm |
| Thursday | 8am-5pm |
| Friday | 8am-5pm |
Boone
Boone County Hospital
1015 Union Street
Boone, IA 50036
Hours
Please contact the Nephrology Department for information regarding hours and scheduling for this outreach clinic.Iowa Falls
Iowa Falls Office
701 Washington Ave
Iowa Falls, IA 50126
Hours
Please contact the Nephrology Department for information regarding hours and scheduling for this outreach clinic.Marshalltown
Marshalltown Office
421 East Merle Hibbs Boulevard
Marshalltown, IA 50158
Hours
Please contact the Nephrology Department for information regarding hours and scheduling for this outreach clinic.Webster City
Webster City Office
510 Bank Street
Webster City, IA 50595
Hours
Please contact the Nephrology Department for information regarding hours and scheduling for this outreach clinic.Services
Services Offered
- Dialysis (In-Center hemodialysis Peritoneal Dialysis, and Home Hemodialysis)
Disease & Disorders Treated
- Anemia
- Acute renal failure
- Chronic kidney disease
- Electrolyte imbalance
- End-stage renal disease
- Evaluation of electrolyte abnormalities
- Evaluation of proteinuria and hematuria
- Hypertension management
- Post-kidney transplant management
Patient Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What do my kidneys do?
Kidneys are essentially blood-cleansing organs. Your kidneys serve several vital functions, including:
- Remove waste from the body in the form of urine
- Filter toxins from the blood
- Help to regulate blood pressure and the balance of certain important nutrients, including potassium and calcium
What is dialysis?
Dialysis is a life-saving process that artificially replaces the functions of the kidney. There are two types of dialysis: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Hemodialysis involves removing blood from the body and filtering it in a machine. Peritoneal dialysis is internal or in-body dialysis. Peritoneal dialysis entails use of a blood-cleansing solution called “dialysate” that is injected into the peritoneal cavity, the region of the abdomen that is lined by the peritoneum.
Patient Education
Important Links
Food is Medicine: A Guide to Good Health & Nutrition
Proper nutrition is a vital part of your health care prescription. This includes weight loss, if necessary, and eating a balanced diet. Here are some general principles to follow.
American Association of Kidney Patients
The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) is a national non-profit organization founded by kidney patients for kidney patients.
National Kidney Foundation
The National Kidney Foundation, Inc (NKF), is the major voluntary health organization dedicated to preventing kidney disease, improving the health and well-being of individuals and families affected by kidney disease and increasing the availability of all organs for transplantation.
PKD Foundation
The Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation is the only organization worldwide dedicated to fighting PKD through research, education, advocacy, support and awareness.
Kidney Problems: Causes and Treatments
Kidney Problems: Causes and Treatment
Since the kidney is involved in blood pressure regulation, we also see patients who have difficulty controlling their blood pressure. Electrolyte imbalance can also be another area of medicine that we can help in the establishment of a diagnosis and treatment options.
Kidney problems can manifest with blood or protein in the urine and abnormal blood levels of BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen) or creatinine. Many patients may not realize that they have kidney disease since it does not typically manifest with pain or urinary symptoms. Many patients will primarily recognize symptoms of fatigue, high blood pressure, reduced appetite, or lower extremity swelling.
The most common reasons for kidney problems are Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension. These diseases develop inflammatory or autoimmune diseases in the kidney and require special treatments with immunosuppressive drugs to help treat their kidney problem. If the kidneys eventually fail, a patient will have to consider kidney replacement therapy.
Kidney replacement options include dialysis or a kidney transplant. Dialysis is a life-saving process that artificially replaces the functions of the kidney. There are two types of dialysis: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Hemodialysis involves removing blood from the body and filtering out waste products and water using a machine. Peritoneal dialysis is internal or in-body dialysis, where fluid is exchanged into the abdominal cavity and the blood is cleansed. Our nephrologists are trained in both forms of dialysis and can educate you on the options that are available to you.
