Nephrology (Kidney Care)

Ochsner nephrology provides comprehensive care for many types of kidney conditions. We treat:

• Acid-base disturbance: An imbalance in the body’s acid levels that affects overall health
• Acute kidney injury: Sudden damage to the kidneys
• Chronic kidney disease: Long-term loss of kidney function
• Cystic kidney diseases: Disorders that cause fluid-filled sacs to form on the kidneys
• Electrolyte abnormalities: Imbalances in minerals like sodium and potassium
• Genetic kidney disease: Inherited conditions affecting kidney function
• Glomerular disease: Damage that prevents the kidneys from filtering blood properly
• Hematuria: Blood in the urine
• Nephrolithiasis: Kidney stones
• Nephrotic syndrome: A condition where too much protein is released into the urine
• Resistant hypertension: High blood pressure that does not respond to standard medications

We provide leading-edge diagnostic and treatment options tailored to your specific needs. Our services include:

• Hemodialysis: A treatment that uses an artificial kidney machine to clean the blood. We offer acute, in-home and outpatient options.
• Peritoneal dialysis: A treatment that filters blood inside your body using the lining of your abdomen.
• Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD): Dialysis performed throughout the day without a machine.
• Continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis (CCPD): Dialysis performed at home while you sleep.
• Continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration: Temporary filtration for patients who cannot tolerate standard dialysis.
• Sustained low-efficiency dialysis (SLED): A gentle form of dialysis often used for critically ill patients.
• Immunosuppression: Medication therapy for glomerular disease.
• Interventional nephrology: Procedures such as catheter and stent placements.
• Kidney transplant: Surgery to place a healthy kidney from a donor.
• Medical therapy: Ongoing management for chronic kidney disease.
• Renal biopsy: Removal of a small piece of tissue to evaluate kidney function.
• Robotic partial nephrectomy: Robotic-assisted surgery to remove a portion of a kidney due to disease or injury. This is the preferred option for most kidney tumors.

The PKD Clinic at Ochsner Health delivers comprehensive, patient-centered care for families affected by Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD). We provide coordinated care at Ochsner Medical Center - New Orleans. Ochsner Health is recognized as a PKD Foundation Partner Clinic.

Our collaborative team includes specialists in nephrology, hepatology, radiology, surgery, pain medicine and more. This model allows us to address the full spectrum of kidney and liver complications associated with PKD.

Our holistic approach includes:

• Advanced imaging and genetic testing
• Individualized pain management strategies
• Surgical options, such as nephrectomy
• Nutritional counseling with a dedicated renal dietitian
• Chronic kidney disease management and dialysis education

We work closely with the Ochsner Transplant Institute for timely evaluation when transplantation is needed. Our clinic also participates in PKD clinical trials, giving you access to innovative therapies that support your quality of life.

Schedule an appointment with Dr. Abdallah to learn more

Ochsner takes a multidisciplinary approach to help you manage every aspect of your health. Our diverse team includes:

• Board-certified general, interventional and transplant nephrologists
• Caseworkers
• Clinical nurse specialists and nurse navigators
• Palliative care specialists
• Renal dietitians
• Social workers

To ensure you receive the best possible outcomes, we partner with other Ochsner departments. These include cardiology, endocrinology, primary care, urology and the Ochsner Transplant Institute.

Our daily commitment to excellence is proven by the specialized certifications our physicians hold. These include:

• Certified Hypertension Specialist: From the American Hypertension Specialist Certification Program
• Ultrasound Certification: From the American Society of Diagnostic and Interventional Nephrology

Ochsner nephrologists and residents actively engage in research to better understand kidney disease. We work to develop new treatments and improve patient lives. We also offer a nephrology fellowship program to train the next generation of specialists.

Current and recent research includes studies related to:

• APOL1-associated kidney disease: Disease caused by inherited gene mutations
• COVID-19 and acute kidney injury
• Hepatorenal syndrome: Kidney failure in patients with advanced liver disease
• IgA nephropathy: Inflammation that hinders the kidneys' filtering ability
• Lupus glomerulonephritis: Kidney disease in patients with lupus
• Urine sediment microscopy: Advanced diagnosis techniques
• Vancomycin-associated acute kidney injury: Damage caused by a common antibiotic

View our active clinical trials

"In 2006, I was diagnosed with Crescentic Glomerulonephritis, and by 2014, I began home peritoneal dialysis with the support of my amazing doctors. In 2017, my sister Roma became my She-Ro by participating in a three-way paired donation, allowing me to receive a life-changing kidney transplant. Today, I’m thriving, sharing my journey, and raising awareness about kidney disease and organ donation." -Tuwana R., kidney care patient

Nephrology is a specialized area of internal medicine. Nephrologists are doctors who are experts in kidney function. They also specialize in how kidney function is involved in or affected by conditions that impact the whole body, such as high blood pressure, also called hypertension. Nephrologists treat kidney diseases that affect how the kidneys work, such as chronic kidney disease. A pediatric nephrologist provides kidney care services to children.

Urologists specialize in all parts of the urinary tract, including the bladder, kidneys and urethra, the tube that carries urine outside the body. They’re also experts in the male reproductive system. While urologists are experts in kidneys, too, they’re primarily concerned with the kidneys’ role in the urinary tract.

The kidneys are bean-shaped organs about the size of your fist. There is one on each side of the body right below the ribs.

Kidneys have two main functions. They filter out extra fluid, toxins and waste from the blood, creating urine. Passing urine helps maintain the body’s healthy balance of minerals, salts and water. Kidneys also make certain hormones, or chemical messengers, that control blood pressure, help create red blood cells and keep bones strong.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a condition that develops when the kidneys don’t filter out extra fluid, toxins or waste as well as they should. Over time, CKD can lead to:

• Depression

• Heart disease

• Loss of appetite

• More infections

• Poor quality of life

Without treatment, CKD may progress to kidney failure, also called end-stage renal disease.

Some types of early-stage kidney disease don't cause noticeable symptoms, while others do. Three warning signs of chronic kidney disease you might notice are:

• Blood in the urine

• Difficult, frequent or painful urination, especially at night

• Puffiness or swelling around the eyes and in the feet and hands

High blood pressure may be a sign of CKD, too. Blood or urine tests are also used to detect other signs of CKD.

The No. 1 cause of CKD is diabetes. However, there are many other possible causes, including:

• Being born with a kidney abnormality

• Certain chemicals, drugs or toxins

• Kidney stones

• Polycystic kidney disease, an inherited condition

• Uncontrolled or poorly controlled high blood pressure

• Urinary tract infections

Chronic kidney disease is treated through a combination of:

• Avoiding smoking

• Changes in diet

• Getting enough sleep

• Medication or other treatments to help control other chronic conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure

• Mental health support to address depression and manage stress

• Regular exercise

Kidney failure, or end-stage renal disease, is treated with dialysis or a kidney transplant. Dialysis refers to a group of treatments that help the body filter extra fluid, toxins and waste from the blood.