Kidney Failure Center - Petaluma, CA
Petaluma Nephrologist Doctors for Kidney FailureType of Physician: Nephrologist What is a Nephrologist? A subspecialty certification by the Board of Internal Medicine; practitioners treat disorders of the kidney, high blood pressure, fluid and mineral imbalance, dialysis of body wastes when the kidneys do not function, and consultation with surgeons about kidney transplantation. Specialty: Nephrology Common Name: Kidney Doctor Nephrologist Doctors in Petaluma * Drs Lambert & Levy  Drs Lambert & Levy  Carl Wilson MD  Carl Wilson MD  S Jack Kronfield MD  Nephrology Associates  Nephrology Associates  Nephrology Associates  Nephrology Associates  Napa Nephrology Consultants  Napa Nephrology Consultants  Napa Nephrology Consultants  Napa Valley Neurology and Internal Medicine  Napa Valley Neurology and Internal Medicine  Napa Valley Neurology and Internal Medicine  East Bay Nephrology Medical Group  East Bay Nephrology Medical Group  East Bay Nephrology Medical Group  East Bay Nephrology Medical Group  East Bay Nephrology Medical Group  Alliance Medical Group Inc  Nephrology Dept  Nephrology Dept  UCSF VA Medical Center  David A Goldberg MD  Renal Medical Associates  CPMC Kidney Transplantation  Renal Medical Associates  Pacific Heights Medical Group  Hanlon Fong MD  Renal Medical Associates  CPMC Kidney Transplantation  Charles T Lynch MD  CPMC Kidney Transplantation  CPMC Kidney Transplantation  Renal Medical Associates  CPMC Kidney Transplantation  Alan J Coleman MD  Drs Chan, Hettena, Nakashima & Schrader, Santiesteban  Drs Chan, Hettena, Nakashima & Schrader, Santiesteban  Fred Lui MD  David J Menke MD  Meyer D Cohen MD  J David Malone MD PC  Joan Saxton MD  Kok-Tong Ling MD  Kidney Transplant Service UCSF Medical Center  UCSF Nephrology  Lynda A Frassetto MD  UCSF Nephrology  UCSF Nephrology  UCSF Nephrology Associates  UCSF Nephrology  Kidney Transplant Service UCSF Medical Center  Kidney Transplant Service UCSF Medical Center  East Bay Nephrology Medical Associates  East Bay Nephrology Medical Associates  East Bay Nephrology Medical Associates  East Bay Nephrology Medical Associates  East Bay Nephrology Medical Associates  East Bay Nephrology Medical Associates  Renal Medical Associates  Chabot Nephrology Medical Group  Barry Chantrelle MD  Chabot Nephrology Medical Group  Sutter East Bay Medical Foundation  East Bay Nephrology Medical Group  East Bay Nephrology Medical Group  East Bay Nephrology Medical Group  East Bay Nephrology Medical Group  East Bay Nephrology Medical Group  Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center  Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center  Seton Medical Group  Westbay Nephrology Associates  Westbay Nephrology Associates  Westbay Nephrology Associates  Northern Peninsula Infectious Diseases Medical Group  May Chiu MD  Concord Older Adult Clinic  Kaiser Permanente Nephrology  Kaiser Permanente Nephrology  Diablo Nephrology  Diablo Nephrology  Diablo Nephrology  Diablo Nephrology  Rashmii Jain MD  David Sugarman MD  Chabot Nephrology Medical Group  Chaplin L Liu MD  Drs Shahmir & Rubin  Drs Shahmir & Rubin  Chabot Nephrology Medical Group  Chabot Nephrology Medical Group  Chabot Nephrology Medical Group  Chabot Nephrology Medical Group  Chabot Nephrology Medical Group  Kaiser Medical Center Hayward Nephrology  Kaiser Medical Center Hayward Nephrology  Kaiser Medical Center Hayward Nephrology Petaluma, CaliforniaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-16
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Kidney FailureRead the Kidney Failure article » What are the kidneys?The kidneys play key roles in body function, not only by filtering the blood and getting rid of waste products, but also by balancing levels of electrolyte levels in the body, controlling blood pressure, and stimulating the production of red blood cells. The kidneys are located in the abdomen toward the back, normally one on each side of the spine. They get their blood supply through the renal arteries directly from the aorta and send blood back to the heart via the renal veins to the vena cava. (The term "renal" is derived from the Latin name for kidney.) The kidneys have the ability to monitor the amount of body fluid, the concentrations of electrolytes like sodium and potassium, and the acid-base balance of the body. They filter waste products of body metabolism, like urea from protein metabolism and uric acid from DNA breakdown. Two waste products in the blood can be measured: blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr). When blood flows to the kidney, sensors within the kidney decide how much water to excrete as urine, along with what concentration of electrolytes. For example, if a person is dehydrated from exercise or from an illness, the kidneys will hold onto as much water as possible and the urine becomes very concentrated. When adequate water is present in the body, the urine is much more dilute, and the urine becomes clear. This system is controlled by renin, a hormone produced in the kidney that is part of the fluid and blood pressure regulation systems of the body. Kidneys are also the source of erythropoietin in the body, a hormone that stimulates the bone marrow to make red blood cells. Special cells in the kidney monitor the oxygen concentration in blood. If oxygen levels fall, erythropoietin levels rise and the body starts to manufacture more red blood cells. After the kidneys filter blood, the urine is excreted through... Recommended Reading Related to Kidney FailureWhat is creatinine?Creatinine is a chemical waste molecule that is generated from muscle metabolism. Creatinine is produced from creatine, a molecule of major importance for energy production in muscles. Approximately 2% of the body's creatine is converted to creatinine every day. Creatinine is transported through the bloodstream to the kidneys. The kidneys filter out most of the creatinine and dispose of it in the urine. Because the muscle mass in the body is relatively constant from day to day, the creatinine production normally remains essentially unchanged on a daily basis. Why is it important to check blood creatinine levels?The kidneys maintain the blood creatinine in a normal range. Creatinine has been found to be a fairly reliable indicator of kidney function. Elevated creatinine level signifies impaired kidney function or kidney disease. As the kidneys become impaired for any reason, the creatinine level in the blo... Emergency Contact for Petaluma
Nearby Petaluma Hospitals *Petaluma Valley Hospital Novato Community Hospital Sonoma Valley Hospital Kaiser Permanente San Rafael Medical Center Kentfield Rehabilitation & Specialty Hospital Marin General Hospital Napa State Hospital Queen of the Valley Medical Center Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital Main Campus Palm Drive Hospital Kaiser Permanente Vallejo Medical Center St Helena Hospital Center for Behavioral Health Sutter Solano Medical Center Sutter Medical Center of Santa Rosa Chanate Campus Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa Medical Center Doctor's Medical Center San Pablo St Helena Hospital Contra Costa Regional Medical Center Telecare Solano Psychiatric Health Facility Alta Bates Summit Medical Center Herrick Campus San Francisco VA Medical Center California Pacific Medical Center California Campus California Pacific Medical Center East Campus California Pacific Medical Center Pacific Campus Chinese Hospital UCSF Medical Center at Mount Zion VA Northern CA Healthcare System at Martinez Alta Bates Summit Medical Center Alta Bates Campus Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Medical Center Saint Francis Memorial Hospital NorthBay Medical Center St Mary's Medical Center Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland California Pacific Medical Center Davies Campus UCSF Medical Center at Parnassus Alta Bates Summit Medical Center Summit Campus Kaiser Permanente Medical Center at Oakland Laguna Honda Hospital & Rehabilitation Center San Francisco General Hospital St Luke's Hospital John Muir Behavioral Health Center Alameda County Medical Center Highland Campus John Muir Medical Center Concord Campus Healdsburg District Hospital Alameda Hospital Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
Suggested Reading on Kidney Failure by Our Doctors
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Related Diseases & Conditions
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Burns (First Aid)
- Burns are categorized by severity as first, second, or third degree. First degree burns are similar to a painful sunburn. The damage is more severe with second degree burns, leading to blistering and more intense pain. The skin turns white and loses sensation with third degree burns. Burn treatment depends upon the location, total burn area, and intensity of the burn.
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Cirrhosis (Liver)
- Cirrhosis of the liver refers to a disease in which normal liver cells are replaced by scar tissue caused by alcohol and viral hepatitis B and C. This disease leads to abnormalities in the liver's ability to handle toxins and blood flow, causing internal bleeding, kidney failure, mental confusion, coma, body fluid accumulation, and frequent infections. Symptoms include yellowing of the skin, itching, and fatigue.
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Dehydration
- Dehydration is the excessive loss of body water. There are a number of causes of dehydration including heat exposure, prolonged vigorous exercise, and some diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. The best way to treat dehydration is to prevent it from occurring.
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Gout
- Gout is a condition that results from crystals of uric acid depositing in tissues of the body. Gout is a condition that can lead to abnormally elevated levels of uric acid in the blood, recurring attacks of joint inflammation (arthritis), deposits of hard lumps of uric acid in and around the joints, and decreased kidney function and kidney stones.
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Malaria
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Peripheral Neuropathy
- Peripheral neuropathy is a problem with the functioning of the nerves outside of the spinal cord. Symptoms may include numbness, weakness, burning pain (especially at night), and loss of reflexes. Possible causes may include carpel tunnel syndrome, meralgia paresthetica, vitamin or nutritional deficiencies, and illnesses like diabetes, syphilis, AIDS, and kidney failure. Most causes of peripheral neuropathy can be successfully treated or prevented.
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Renal Osteodystrophy
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Pericarditis
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Polycystic Kidney Disease
- Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is characterized by numerous cysts in the kidneys. Polycystic kidney disease is a genetic disorder. There are two major inherited forms of PKD, autosomal dominant PKD, and autosomal recessive PKD. Symptoms include headaches, urinary tract infections, blood in the urine, liver and pancreatic cysts, abnormal heart valves, high blood pressure, kidney stones, aneurysms, and diverticulosis. Diagnosis of PKD is generally with ultrasound, CT or MRI scan. There is no cure for PKD, so treatment of symptoms is usually the general protocol.
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Lupus
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Diabetes Insipidus
- Diabetes insipidus is a condition in which the patient has frequent urination. Symptoms of diabetes insipidus include irritable, listless, fever, vomiting, or diarrhea due to the loss of large volumes of urine. There are three types of diabetes insipidus, central, nephrogenic, dipsogenic, and gestational. Treatment depends upon the type of diabetes insipidus.
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Pulmonary Hypertension
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Low Blood Pressure
- Low blood pressure, also referred to as hypotension, is blood pressure that is so low that it causes symptoms or signs due to the low flow of blood through the arteries and veins. Some of the symptoms of low blood pressure include light-headedness, dizziness, or even fainting if not enough blood is getting to the brain. Diseases and medications can also cause low blood pressure. When the flow of blood is too low to deliver enough oxygen and nutrients to vital organs such as the brain, heart, and kidneys; the organs do not function normally and may be permanently damaged.
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Hyperkalemia (High Blood Potassium)
- Hyperkalemia is an abnormally high level of potassium in the blood. Symptoms of hyperkalemia include nausea, fatigue, tingling sensations, or muscle weakness. Hyperkalemia may also cause no symptoms. Slow heartbeat and weak pulse are more serious symptoms. Causes of hyperkalemia include kidney dysfunction, medications, adrenal gland diseases, and potassium shifts. Treatment of hyperkalemia is dependant upon the cause.
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Fabry Disease
- Fabry disease (Fabry's disease, alpha-galactosidase-A) is a genetic disorder with symptoms such as burning sensations in the hands, small-raised reddish-purplish blemishes on the skin, fever, decreases sweating, and GI difficulties. Fabry disease patients are at increased risk of heart attack, heart disease, kidney failure, and stroke. Symptoms of Fabry disease can be treated with medication.
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Restless Leg Syndrome
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Hydronephrosis
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Anemia
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Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome
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Microsporidiosis
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Disease Prevention in Men
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Renal Artery Stenosis
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Hypertensive Kidney Disease
- High blood pressure can damage the kidneys and is one of the leading causes of kidney failure (end-stage renal kidney disease). Kidney damage, like hypertension, can be unnoticeable and detected only through medical tests. If you have kidney disease, you should control your blood pressure. Other treatment options include prescription medications.
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Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci (VRE)
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Coma
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Viral Hemorrhagic Fever
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Sepsis
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Hypercalcemia (Elevated Calcium Levels)
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Rhabdomyolysis
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