Division of Nephrology
The Division of Nephrology, part of the Department of Medicine, offers world-class patient care, research programs, and education and training opportunities.
Kidney Care
Expert care for genetic, acute and chronic kidney conditions
Get Diagnosis, Treatment and Support From Caring Kidney Specialists
Your kidneys have many important roles in your body. When they’re not functioning at their best, there can be major implications for your health. Nephrologists specialize in diagnosing kidney disorders. They have expertise in all aspects of what the kidneys do and the conditions that can affect them.
Nephrologists and other kidney care specialists at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) in Boston can help. You can rely on our team for an accurate diagnosis, cutting-edge treatment and ongoing follow-up care. We can help you feel better, live better and have a more hopeful future.
Conditions We Treat
At BIDMC, we address acute (sudden onset) and chronic kidney disorders. These conditions include common diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension, that damage the kidneys. But they also include relatively rare autoimmune or infectious diseases and rare genetic conditions. Some of the most common conditions we treat include the following:
- Glomerulonephritis
- Kidney infections
- Kidney stones
- Diabetes
- Polycystic kidney disease
- Renal hypertension
- Renal obstruction
More About Kidney Care
About Your Kidneys
Your kidneys are twin organs located in the back of your abdomen on either side of your spine. Each kidney is roughly the size of your fist and weighs only about five ounces. For being relatively small organs, the kidneys have some important jobs. One of the most critical jobs is to filter your blood.
Your heart helps get blood to your kidneys through large blood vessels called arteries. The kidneys filter your blood as it passes through. The kidneys remove waste and excess salts, minerals and fluid. Your blood then returns to your heart through large blood vessels called veins. From there, the blood circulates throughout the body. By filtering and cleansing your blood, the kidneys maintain normal amounts of waste, salts, minerals and fluids in your body. Your kidneys produce urine from the waste and fluids they remove from your blood.
The second major function of your kidneys is to make hormones. These hormones regulate blood pressure and stimulate the production of red blood cells in your bone marrow. They also help your bones stay strong by increasing the amount of calcium absorbed from food.
Most people are born with two kidneys. But some healthy babies are born with only one. It is possible to live with one functioning kidney.
Personalized Treatment Plans
Every kidney disorder is unique. And everyone has unique needs. We look at your medical situation, lifestyle and preferences to develop a personalized plan of care just for you.
We conduct a complete evaluation to identify the cause(s) of your kidney condition. It includes blood work, urine studies and imaging. Then, we work to stop or slow disease progression. Our efforts focus on high blood pressure, diabetes (if present), protein in the urine, acid build up and nutrition. We're always available to discuss difficult cases and guide disease- and patient-specific treatments.
If it’s appropriate, we may also refer you to a clinical trial. Clinical trials test promising new therapies and diagnostic tests. They may offer benefits over existing standards of care.
Our kidney care team may work with other specialties at BIDMC to meet all your kidney health related needs.
Comprehensive Kidney Failure Treatment
When kidney disease results in kidney failure, you can receive dialysis care through BIDMC. This includes dialysis access surgery.
Advanced Kidney Procedures
When you trust us with your care, you have access to highly skilled and experienced nephrologists, urologic surgeons and other experts. They use the latest technology and techniques to diagnose and treat kidney conditions. Advanced treatments we offer include:
Additional Services
Your Kidney Care team coordinates your care with other specialty providers throughout our medical center. This ensures you receive comprehensive, streamlined care.
