Nephrology

Kidney Treatment in Southeast Iowa

Nephrology-Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center physicians and advanced practice providers diagnose and treat kidney disease, including:

Acute and chronic kidney failure
Hypertension
Acid-base disorders
Electrolyte imbalance

Associated problems include anemia secondary to kidney disease and renal bone disease. Patients may have blood or an abnormal level of protein in their urine. They may suffer from recurring kidney stones or other problems. Nephrology-Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center provides trusted, proven treatments that may include medicine and diet management of underlying conditions. After beginning treatment, patients can expect to continue seeing a nephrologist throughout their lives.

Diseased kidneys can stop functioning. If that happens, two kinds of kidney-replacement therapy are available:

Dialysis – This generic term is used for several methods of cleaning the blood. You can do this in your home or an outpatient treatment center. Southeastern Renal Dialysis is on Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center's campus.
Kidney transplant – A patient whose kidneys have stopped functioning may receive a donor's kidney. Kidney transplants are performed at centers that specialize in these procedures. After the surgery, the providers at Nephrology-Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center continue to treat patients along with the transplant physicians to ensure the function of your new kidney.

Besides reviewing your medical history and doing a physical examination, nephrologists may order blood tests, urine tests, or diagnostic imaging studies. A kidney biopsy may be needed to diagnose and manage your kidney disease.

Your First Visit with Us

Most patients come to Nephrology-Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center by referral from their primary-care physicians. Your primary care physician should send copies of your pertinent medical history and reports of all laboratory tests for one full year before your appointment. Please check to see if this has been done before arriving for an appointment.

If someone has a family history of kidney disease, it is possible to become a patient without a physician referral. Please call the clinic – 319-768-4380 – and the staff will ask you for information about your health history. A physician will review that information, and you will receive a return call. If an appointment is scheduled, please ask your primary care physician to send the information above to our clinic.

Bring to your appointment:

Insurance card
List of medicines you are taking, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, supplements, cold remedies, and prescription medicines. Be sure to update your medicine list every time there is a change, and bring a copy to your next appointment.