What Is A Nephrologist?
A nephrologist is a doctor who specializes in treating and diagnosing kidney conditions and kidney failure. You should visit a nephrologist if you have a condition that may damage your Kidneys or you show any signs of Kidney Disease. During your appointments nephrologist will examine your past medical record, order tests and treat your condition. In addition, they also identify how your kidney condition affects other body parts including:
- Cardiovascular disease.
- High blood pressure (hypertension).
- Autoimmune diseases.
What Is Kidney Disease?
Kidney Disease is a medical condition in which the Kidneys are damaged and unable to filter blood as normally as they should. Because of this excess waste and fluid from Blood remain in the body and may cause other health complications such as stroke or her disease.
Kidney diseases are a major problem in the United States:
- Around 800 million adults in India are believed to have Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) or other kidney disease, with many not even aware of it.
- Shockingly, 40% of individuals with severely impaired kidney function are unaware of having CKD or other kidney disease.
- Every week, approximately 175,000 people in India begin dialysis treatment for kidney failure.
- High blood pressure and Diabetes are the primary culprits behind kidney failure, responsible for 4 out of 5 new cases.
Types Of Kidney Disease
- Polycystic Kidney Disease
- APOL1-Mediated Kidney Disease
- Lupus nephritis
- Glomerulonephritis (Glomerular Disease)
- IGA nephropathy
- Cystinosis
- Complement 3 glomerulopathy (C3G)
- AHUS (atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome)
- Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS)
- Interstitial nephritis
- Fabry disease
- Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA)
- Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM)
- Syndrome
- Primary hyperoxaluria and oxalate
- Minimal change disease
Nephrology Services In India
Dialysis Facilities
In the past 20 years, the number of Hemodialysis (HD) units in India has grown significantly, and now dialysis services are accessible in all 28 states and eight union territories.
As of 2018, there were approximately 12,881 HD stations across the country. To address the need for dialysis among economically disadvantaged patients, the government launched the National Dialysis Program in 2016. This initiative aims to establish eight-station dialysis facilities in all 688 districts of India. However, even with this program, which typically offers dialysis twice a week, only about 50,000 new patients, fulfilling just a third of the current demand, could be accommodated without accounting for future growth.
Dialysis services in India, like many other secondary and tertiary healthcare services, are largely provided by the private sector due to low public healthcare spending. Public-sector hospitals primarily handle critically ill patients and those with Acute Kidney Injury (AKI), resulting in limited capacity to accommodate patients requiring maintenance dialysis.
Kidney Transplant Services
In India, it's estimated that between 151 and 232 out of every million people suffer from end-stage renal disease, requiring the need of kidney transplantation. Taking an average of these figures, it's projected that around 220,000 individuals require kidney transplants in the country. However, currently, only about 7,500 kidney transplants are performed annually across 250 transplant centers. The majority of these transplants (90%) involve living donors, while the remaining 10% come from deceased donors. Unfortunately, the lack of a national transplant registry hinders accurate data collection.
Initially, kidney transplantation faced challenges regarding medical and surgical complications. However, advancements have led to a shift toward more centers offering laparoscopic donor nephrectomy, with some even providing robotic kidney transplantation. Despite these advancements, long-term studies on the health and safety of kidney donors in India are lacking. Moreover, the increasing incidence of lifestyle diseases like diabetes and hypertension underscores the importance of long-term follow-up for kidney donors in the country.
Supportive care and counseling
Statistics on Supportive Care and Counseling in India:
Psychological Support:
- Study Findings: 30-40% of CKD patients experience depression and anxiety, as per research in the Indian Journal of Nephrology.
- Support Availability: Only 10-20% of patients get proper psychological support due to a shortage of mental health professionals and nephrology doctors in nephrology centers.
Nutritional Counseling:
- Survey Results: Only 30-40% of CKD patients receive regular nutritional counseling from dietitians, according to the Indian Dietetic Association.
- Barriers: Lack of awareness, limited access to dietitians, and financial constraints are major hurdles to receiving adequate nutritional guidance.
Financial Guidance:
- Economic Burden: CKD patients spend 20-30% of their household income on medical expenses, according to studies.
- Government Support: Despite initiatives like the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, many patients still struggle to afford the necessary treatments and medications.
Top Nephrology Doctors In Delhi
Meet some dedicated Nephrology Doctors:
Dr. Varsha Agrawal
Dr. Varsha Agrawal, A renowned nephrologist, stands out as a kidney specialist with extensive experience in treating a wide range of conditions including Skin Psoriasis, Chronic Kidney Disease, Cancer, Diabetes Reversal, and more. Her expertise, combined with her B.A.M.S degree from Gujarat Ayurveda University, Jamnagar, makes her a trusted choice for those seeking the best nephrologist in India.
Dr. Yashvi Doshi
Dr. Yashvi Doshi is an esteemed kidney specialist, who offers comprehensive care for kidney and liver issues, along with expertise in Cancer Support, Skin Ailments, and Rheumatoid Arthritis. With a B.A.M.S degree and 5 years of experience, Dr. Doshi ensures top-notch care for her patients, making her one of the top nephrologists in India.
Dr. Sruthi P Nair,
Dr. Sruthi P Nair considered the best nephrologist in India, specializes in various skin conditions, chronic kidney diseases, and cancer. With 7 years of experience and a BAMS degree from Kerala University of Health and Science, Dr. Nair provides exceptional care to her patients, earning recognition as a leading nephrology doctor in Delhi.
Dr. Arunlal K.M,
A highly skilled kidney specialist brings over 13 years of experience and expertise in managing skin issues, tension & stress management, joint & muscular pains, and more. His dedication to holistic care, combined with his BAMS degree, makes him one of the top nephrologists in India.
Dr. Shashank Aggarwal,
Dr. Shashank Aggarwal is an esteemed Ayurveda doctor, is specialized in panchkarma and pulse diagnosis. With a BAMS degree and expertise in traditional Ayurvedic practices, Dr. Aggarwal offers holistic approaches to kidney health, making him a sought-after kidney specialist hospital in India.
Dr. Priyanka Yadav,
Dr. Priyanka Yadav is an experienced nephrologist, who combines her BAMS degree with expertise in treating skin, digestive, cancer, and orthopedic issues. With 5+ years of experience, Dr. Yadav is among the top nephrology doctors in India.
Dr. Balram Tiwari,
Dr. Balram Tiwari is an expert kidney specialist, holds a B.A.M.S degree from Darbhanga University, and has 8 years of experience. Specializing in arthritis, liver disease, skin disease, kidney disease, and diabetes reversal, Dr. Tiwari is known for providing comprehensive care to his patients.
Dr. Jyoti More,
Dr. Jyoti More a dedicated nephrologist, holds qualifications in B.A.M.S and M.D. in Rognidan (Pathology). With 3+ years of experience and education from esteemed institutions, Dr. More offers specialized care to her patients, ranking among the top nephrology doctors in India.
Dr. Apoorva Trivedi,
Dr. Apoorva Trivedi is an accomplished kidney specialist, who specializes in a range of conditions including Skin Psoriasis, Chronic Kidney Disease, Cancer, and more. With a B.A.M.S degree from Rajasthan University and 5 years of experience, Dr. Trivedi is recognized as one of the top nephrologists in India.
Dr. Bhagyashree Behera,
Dr. Bhagyashree Behera is an expert nephrologist, who focuses on metabolic & lifestyle diseases like diabetes, obesity, and endocrine disorders. With a BAMS qualification and expertise in gynecological problems, Dr. Behera provides comprehensive care to her patients, making her a trusted kidney specialist in India.
Dr. Tripurari Lal Maurya,
Dr. Tripurari Lal Maurya is a proficient nephrologist, who brings 9 years of experience and a BAMS degree from Vinobha Bhave University Hazaribagh. Specializing in various kidney-related issues, Dr. Maurya is known for his dedication to patient care, ranking among the top nephrology doctors in India.
Dr. Nikhil Diwakar Sharma,
an experienced kidney specialist has 13 years of experience and a BAMS degree from Kurukshetra University. With expertise in arthritis, skin diseases, kidney problems, and liver disorders, Dr. Sharma provides holistic care to his patients, earning recognition as one of the top nephrologists in India.
Dr. Krutika Awasthi,
Dr. Krutika Awasthi is a skilled nephrologist, holds a BAMS degree and specializes in kidney problems, heart issues, diabetes, blood pressure, skin diseases, and more. With 3+ years of experience and a commitment to patient well-being, Dr. Awasthi is among the top nephrology doctors in India.
