Diagnosis of Kidney Malady
As a first stage in diagnosing kidney disease, the doctor enjoys discussing each patient’s family history and personal medical history. Among other things, the doctor may inquire about a patient’s history or diagnosis of elevated blood pressure, as well as whether or not the patient is taking medications that may affect kidney function. In addition, the doctor likes to discuss the patient’s urinary habits and family history of renal disease with each patient seeking a diagnosis of kidney disease.
In addition to a neurological examination, the doctor conducts a physical examination to look for signs of heart or blood vessel disease. For patients with renal disease, a series of diagnostic tests and procedures are required to determine the extent of kidney damage and the precise stage of the disease. Among these diagnostic procedures are:
Blood exams
Obtaining a diagnosis of kidney disease requires testing blood samples to corroborate the presence of any kidney disorder. The kidney function test measures the quantity of waste products produced by the kidneys, such as urea and creatinine, in each blood sample.
