First of all, when any symptoms of the disease appear, people are accustomed to seek the help of a local therapist. After listening to the problems and making a certain diagnosis, the doctor will already send for a consultation with a narrow specialist. But why lose so much time if you can immediately go to an appointment with a doctor who is directly involved in the problem you are interested in?
Patients who experience "kidney" or "liver" problems for the first time are interested in which doctors treat their kidneys and liver. These organs are examined and treated by different specialists, as they relate to two different body systems.
Which doctors treat kidneys?
The kidneys are organs that belong to the urinary system of the body. They are engaged in filtering blood, cleaning it from the results of metabolic processes, toxic substances, as well as separation of urea from the blood.
Which doctors treat kidneys? The responsibility for treating and diagnosing kidney diseases belongs to two different specialists:
A urologist is a doctor of a broader profile, because, in addition to the kidneys, he is involved in diseases of the urinary and reproductive system. Nephrologist has a narrower focus. This specialist is a kidney doctor only.
In addition to the nephrologist and urologist, the therapist or family doctor can also help the patient, however, their work ends at the stage of an adequate diagnosis. Drawing up individual treatment regimens already belongs to narrow specialists.
What clinical signs should I see a urologist for?
Which doctors treat the kidneys, we figured out above. Now it is necessary to determine the difference, with which symptoms, which doctor should be consulted.
A consultation with a urologist should be directed if the following symptoms appear:
- pain in the projection of the kidneys, in the lower abdomen, in the inguinal region, in the genital area;
- the appearance of signs of renal colic;
- pain during urination, a feeling of fullness of the bladder with the inability to withdraw urine;
- urinary incontinence;
- swelling under the eyes;
- pathological discharge from the urethra or signs of an infectious process;
- prostatitis, impotence, sexual impotence.
The urologist is engaged in conducting an examination, collecting a medical history of the patient’s life and illness, conducting differential diagnosis and prescribing treatment. In addition to drug treatment, a doctor of this specialization also practices surgical interventions. This is another difference from the nephrologist.
When to contact a nephrologist?
A nephrologist is involved in the treatment, diagnosis and prophylaxis of kidney diseases. A nephrologist should be contacted in the following cases:
- painful syndrome in the projection of the kidneys;
- frequent urination;
- the appearance of pain and pain in the urination process;
- the appearance of swelling of the lower extremities and face;
- urine changes color or smell.
Nephrologist is engaged in outpatient and inpatient treatment of patients. Compared with a urologist, he does not use surgical interventions in his therapy and deals only with the kidneys. This specialist does not deal with the urinary system and diseases of the genital organs.
Liver problems - who should I contact for help?
We specified under what conditions a kidney doctor is needed. What is the name of the specialist who deals with liver problems and in what cases should I contact him? Let's take a closer look.
The liver belongs to the digestive system. This is an organ that simultaneously performs a huge number of functions:
- Inactivation of toxic substances, toxic elements that enter the body;
- Participation in metabolic processes with accelerated output of their final results.
- Active participation in gluconeogenesis.
- The production, deposition and secretion of bile for participation in the digestive process.
- The accumulation of vitamins and minerals.
- Storage of a large number of blood elements.
Two narrow specialists are also involved in the painful conditions of this organ - a gastroenterologist and a hepatologist. A gastroenterologist sees the liver directly as an element of the digestive system. He is engaged in its treatment in case of violations of the digestive functions against the background of a painful condition.
The hepatologist has a wider profile in the field of liver diseases. You need to contact him for help to treat the following diseases:
- toxic and viral hepatitis;
- hepatomegaly or hepatosis;
- liver damage due to tuberculosis or syphilis;
- the formation of an abscess of the liver ;
- traumatic and tumor lesions;
- hepatic vein thrombosis;
- infection or infestation of parasites;
- hereditary abnormalities and autoimmune diseases.
Conclusion
Let us make a brief conclusion in a few words. Which doctors treat the kidneys - therapist, urologist, nephrologist. Which doctors deal with liver diseases - therapist, gastroenterologist, hepatologist.
When the first symptoms of diseases appear, you must contact the clinic at the place of residence for qualified diagnostics and the choice of treatment method. It is in this case that there will be a favorable outcome of the disease.