Patient Education

Nephrology Associates of Upland and Pomona would like to be your partner in health care. Feel free to ask your questions and share your concerns with us. We will work with you to develop a wellness program for the care and treatment you need.

We welcome you to our practice and look forward to caring for you.

Nephrology Associates of Upland and Pomona provides a full range of medical services including the following:

Acute Renal Failure

Acute renal failure (ARF) occurs when the kidneys suddenly stop filtering waste products from the blood. This sudden loss of function can result from injury, trauma or infection, or from complications during surgery. It usually affects people who have additional health-related conditions. ...

Renal Arteriogram

A renal arteriogram is a diagnostic test that uses X-ray imaging to evaluate blood vessels in the kidneys. During the procedure, a contrast dye is injected through a catheter placed in the groin area; the dye helps to provide a clear picture of the blood vessels. The procedure requires some recovery time, but is usually performed on an outpatient basis. ...

Edema

Edema (water retention) is swelling caused by an excessive accumulation of fluid in the body. It typically affects the hands, feet, arms, ankles and legs, but can develop in any part of the body. The lower legs are particularly susceptible to edema due to the force of gravity.

Normally, the kidneys filter the blood and help to maintain a proper metabolic balance. However, under certain conditions, too much fluid is retained and swelling results. Mild edema may be inconsequential but, because fluid buildup can result from a serious medical condition and have grave consequences if left untreated, a physician should be consulted when symptoms are severe or prolonged. ...

Electrolyte Imbalance

Electrolytes are ionized materials found naturally in the body that help to regulate nerve and muscle function, fluid levels and help maintain proper acid or pH levels in the body. Common electrolytes include sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium and chloride, which also help to regulate the function of many bodily systems. Imbalanced electrolyte levels may develop as a result of impaired kidney function and causing troubling symptoms. ...

End-Stage Renal Disease

The final stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD), end-stage renal disease occurs when the kidneys are functioning at less than 15 percent of their normal capabilities, and are no longer able to filter waste from the blood. The kidneys experience complete or near-complete failure, and cannot function on their own. ...

Gout

Gout is a form of arthritis that causes painful, swollen, red and inflamed joints. Gout is caused by a buildup of uric acid that forms crystals in the joints and surrounding tissue. Uric acid is a natural waste product of the body that is normally filtered out of the bloodstream by the kidneys and excreted during urination. Patients with gout have an abnormal metabolism that reduces the effectiveness of the kidneys, causing uric acid to accumulate in the blood. ...

Peritoneal Dialysis

Dialysis is a treatment to filter the blood and remove waste products when the kidneys are no longer functioning properly. During hemodialysis, the patient's blood circulates through a machine to be cleansed before re-entering the body. This procedure takes place in a medical setting under the supervision of a healthcare professional. ...

Hydronephrosis

Hydronephrosis is a swelling in the kidney usually due to a blockage that prevents urine from flowing into the bladder. The blockage typically occurs in the upper section of the urinary tract as a result of an abnormal narrowing of the ureter. Complications from hydronephrosis may include decreased kidney function. Hydronephrosis is much more common in males than in females. ...

Hypernatremia

Hypernatremia is an elevated concentration of serum sodium, or sodium in the blood. It results from an inadequate intake of water and usually develops in patients who are physically or mentally impaired to the point that they are unable to access water, or even to request it. Normally, even a slight increase in the body's sodium level will create intense thirst, but if water is unavailable, or a patient is unable to communicate thirst, hypernatremia can result. Hypernatremia is most common in infants, mentally disabled patients, patients who are comatose, and the elderly, particularly those with dementia. ...

Horseshoe Kidney

Horseshoe kidney is the most common type of kidney fusion, a congenital disorder that occurs during fetal development. In infants born with a horseshoe kidney, the kidneys are fused, forming a U-shaped organ similar in shape to a horseshoe. Another, much less common, variety of kidney fusion is ectopic kidney. ...

Lupus Nephritis

Systemic lupus erythematosus, commonly known as lupus, is a disease in which the the immune system produces proteins that attack the body and cause damage to the kidney, brain, joints and skin. Lupus nephritis is a condition in which the the kidneys become inflamed as a result of systemic lupus erythematosus. Lupus nephritis can lead to impaired kidney function or, in extreme cases, kidney failure. ...

Nephrectomy

A nephrectomy is a surgical procedure to remove part or all of a kidney. Depending on the reason it is required, a nephrectomy involves removing only the damaged or diseased part of one kidney; all of one kidney; or the entire kidney, along with the surrounding adrenal gland and lymph nodes. All nephrectomies are performed under general anesthesia. ...

Nephritis

Nephritis (kidney inflammation) is most often caused by autoimmune diseases that affect major organs, although it can also result from infection. Nephritis can cause excessive amounts of protein to be excreted in urine, and fluid to build up in the body. It can affect people of all ages, although its cause differs depending on whether children or adults are affected. In children, nephritis is often the result of infections caused by streptococcus bacteria, while in adults it is often the result of vasculitis, pneumonia or hepatitis. ...

Nephrology

Nephrology is the branch of internal medicine that focuses on care of the kidneys, and diagnosis and treatment of kidney disease and disorders. Many kidney problems are systemic, and require medical evaluation and intervention not only by nephrologists, but by specialists in other fields, such as immunology or rheumatology. ...

Nephrostomy

A nephrostomy, also known as percutaneous nephrostomy, is performed to drain urine from the kidney. This procedure is necessary when urine cannot move through the ureters, bladder, and urethra as it normally does. A nephrostomy is performed by the surgical insertion of a tube directly into the kidney. The function of the nephrostomy is to temporarily drain urine either because its flow has been blocked or because normal urine flow has to be temporarily interrupted for medical reasons. The procedure allows the kidney to function properly and protects it from further damage. It also helps to clear any infection. ...

Proteinuria

Proteinuria is an abnormal amount of protein in the urine. While waste products are filtered out of the blood to leave the body through the urine, protein is essential in protecting the body against infection and ensuring proper fluid circulation. When protein is found in the urine, it may be a sign of chronic kidney disease. ...

Renovascular Disease

Renovascular disease is the blockage or narrowing within the renal arteries or veins, the blood vessels that carry blood to and from the kidneys. The arteries are affected much more commonly than the veins. Renovascular disease can cause kidney damage or kidney failure. This condition occurs most often in older patients, although young women may also be at risk for a certain type of renovascular disease called fibromuscular dysplasia. ...