Ballad Health Medical Associates

Nephrology / Renal Medicine

Ballad Health Medical Associates is a Nephrology / Renal Medicine practice in Abingdon, VA with healthcare providers who have special training and skill in diagnosing and treating diseases of the kidney. Nephrologist / Renal Doctors at Ballad Health Medical Associates perform kidney maintenance and treatment of kidney dysfunctions. Nephrology / Renal Medicine is a specialty of medicine and pediatrics that studies, diagnoses, and treats kidney dysfunction while preserving optimal kidney health. Significant diseases and conditions treated at Nephrology / Renal Medicine practices include acid-base disturbances, glomerular diseases (such as glomerulonephritis or the nephrotic syndrome), tubulointerstitial kidney diseases, tubular defects, vasculitis, autoimmune disease, and the effects of toxins on the kidney. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Nephrology / Renal Medicine practices include managing hypertension, managing fluids, electrolyte therapy, renal replacement therapy, dialysis, kidney transplantation, plasma exchange, and immunosuppression. Commonly used agents are prednisone, mycophenolate, cyclophosphamide, ciclosporin, tacrolimus, everolimus, thymoglobulin and sirolimus. Newer, so-called biologic drugs or monoclonal antibodies.

An internist who treats disorders of the kidney, high blood pressure, fluid and mineral balance and dialysis of body wastes when the kidneys do not function. This specialist consults with surgeons about kidney transplantation.