Kidney Disease

At the Division of Nephrology at Montefiore Medical Center, we are committed to minimizing the negative impact of diabetes and kidney disease through early detection. Once a patient has been diagnosed with diabetes or kidney disease, we offer a variety of treatment options. We can provide diagnosis confirmation and advice to the primary care physicians of patients still in the early stages of the disease, and prepare patients for dialysis and transplantation if the disease progresses.

Specialized, individual care

Because patients come to us at all different stages of kidney disease, we tailor their care to their individual circumstances, and offer them the best treatment options available, while impinging on their regular routine as little as possible. For those patients with diabetes, we work closely with their primary care providers to help them maintain maximum health by controlling their blood sugar, and for those with early stage kidney disease, to ensure careful control of their blood pressure with the appropriate medications.

Diet modifications and medication are important tools in fighting kidney disease. In many cases, patients who have a serious commitment to their treatment can slow the advancement of their kidney disease, and in some cases, to stop it from progressing to end stage kidney disease or kidney failure.

Community-based care

Plans are currently underway to enhance our ability to help patients through early diagnosis. We will soon share our expertise with 25 primary health clinics in the greater New York City area, which are part of the Montefiore hospital system. And we will expand our overall kidney care through a new Kidney Disease Clinic. We strive to educate the family members of our patients about their own risks, because of the familial predisposition to diabetes and high blood pressure that exists, and the increased likelihood of experiencing kidney damage if you have one of these conditions.

Caring support for difficult choices

For those patients who experience end stage renal failure, we anticipate the progression of their disease as much as possible and help them make appropriate decisions about every step of their care. When appropriate, we help them begin undergoing dialysis. We also help them plan for their transplant by searching for a possible live organ donor from their family or community. We work closely with the transplant surgery team if a transplant is needed. We also provide comprehensive longterm care to both people with transplants and those on dialysis. We support our patients and their families throughout the progression of their disease with our compassionate care and commitment to education. 

 

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