Advanced Kidney Disease Treatment in Ridgecrest, CA
Ridgecrest Regional Hospital has teamed up with the Division of Nephrology
and Hypertension at Keck Medicine of the University of Southern California
(USC), to bring patients comprehensive kidney treatments, including dialysis,
all close to home. This collaboration with Keck Medicine of USC provides
RRH patients access to its world-renowned nephrology program,
ranked #21 in the nation by U.S. News and World Report. The program’s board-certified nephrologists
are kidney specialists who diagnose and treat kidney diseases and disorders.
We are proud to offer both inpatient and outpatient renal services and
acute inpatient dialysis treatments to patients who need kidney treatment.
For acute or urgent inpatient cases, rather than being helicoptered out
to another facility, patients who need immediate dialysis are able to
stay local and have the treatment they need at RRH. The outpatient nephrology
program consists of a weekly renal clinic, with a monthly on-site rotation
from ten of the board-certified USC Nephrologists, who will also provide
weekly telehealth consultation services when patients need dialysis on
a non-urgent basis.
What Is Nephrology?
Nephrology is a medical specialty which deals with diseases of the kidneys.
RRH Nephrology services includes hemodialysis treatments to help keep
the body in balance. Dialysis is a treatment for end-stage kidney disease
when the kidneys can no longer remove waste from the body or regulate
its nutrients. These excess toxins are removed through dialysis, and extra
water is pushed to prevent harmful toxins from building up in the patient’s
body. Dialysis also keeps a safe level of specific chemicals in the blood,
including potassium, sodium, and bicarbonate.
What Do the Kidneys Do?
The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs, each about the size of a fist,
that have many important bodily functions. They excrete waste products
and excess fluid out of the body through the urine. The kidneys also regulate
the concentrations of multiple electrolytes and minerals to maintain the
functions of the heart and brain. Among other functions, the kidneys also
release hormones regulating blood pressure, and they dispose of excess
acids building up in the body from food and tissue metabolism.
Kidney disease, whether acute or chronic, often has no symptoms until it
is very advanced. The non-specific nature of symptoms of kidney disease
makes detection a big challenge, especially in early stages. This is why
regular, routine blood and urine tests are crucial in detecting kidney
disease and dysfunction. The good news is we can treat or decrease the
progression of the kidney disease if caught early.
Kidney disease usually does not have any symptoms in early stages. Some
symptoms of kidney disease may start to show up as kidney disease progresses:
Nausea
Vomiting
Difficulty urinating
Flank pain near the kidneys
Insomnia and/or fatigue
a “metallic” taste in the mouth
Muscle twitches and camps
Swelling in the feet and ankles
Persistent itching
Shortness of breath
Contact Info & Hours of Operation:
Nephrology Clinic
Address: East Medical Plaza, 2nd Floor, 105 E. Sydnor Ave.,
Ridgecrest, CA 93555
Phone:
(760) 463-8930 Hours: Mon to Fri: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
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