We're ready to answer your questions

Dr. Baig will begin seeing patients at our Greenfield office starting October 1. Until then, call our office at (317) 476-2946 with questions, send a message through the Contact page, or follow the practice on Facebook and Instagram for updates.

A referral is not always required to be seen at our office, but many insurance plans do require one before they will cover a specialist visit. Check with your insurance plan, or call our office at (317) 476-2946 and we will help you find out what your plan needs.

Tests conducted by your primary care provider or other practitioner may indicate a problem with your kidney function, and early referral to a nephrology specialist is important. You may also have a problem with kidney stones. A nephrologist can help identify your risk factors for forming kidney stones and develop a plan of care to reduce stone frequency, or even stop new stones from forming.

Please bring a photo ID, your insurance card, and a complete list of your current medications, including doses and any over the counter medicines, vitamins, and supplements you take. If you have them, recent lab results, imaging reports, and the name of the provider who referred you are also very helpful. Arriving with your new patient forms already filled out helps your first visit go smoothly; you can download them from the Patient Forms page on this website.

Follow any instructions given when your tests are ordered. Some blood tests require fasting, so you may be asked not to eat or drink anything except water for several hours beforehand. Unless you are told otherwise, take your usual medications, drink water normally so you are not dehydrated, and avoid heavy exercise for 24 hours before testing, since it can temporarily affect your results. If you are not sure whether your test needs special preparation, call our office and we will let you know.

A nephrologist is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of kidney disease, high blood pressure, kidney stones, and other kidney related disorders. In addition to completing a residency in internal medicine, nephrologists complete several additional years of specialized training.

A nephrologist is a medical doctor who focuses on the treatment of diseases of the kidney. A urologist is a medical doctor who focuses on the treatment of diseases of the urinary tract and prostate. These two specialists often work together to address different aspects of a patient's care.

Your kidneys are bean shaped organs, each about the size of your fist, located near the middle of your back, just below the rib cage. They act as the body's filtering system: every day, your kidneys process about 200 quarts of blood to remove about 2 quarts of waste products and extra water. The waste and extra water become urine, which flows to your bladder through tubes called ureters, and your bladder stores that urine until you go to the bathroom. If your kidneys did not remove these wastes, they would build up in the blood and damage your body.

CKD is a decreased level of kidney function, or evidence of kidney damage, that lasts for more than three months. People most at risk for developing kidney disease are those with diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of kidney disease.

Blood tests: serum creatinine, GFR, electrolytes, BUN, hemoglobin, intact parathyroid hormone, and vitamin D. Urine tests: microalbumin, protein to creatinine ratio, and urinalysis. Imaging: a renal ultrasound may be recommended to assess the size, shape, and anatomy of your kidneys; a CT scan, MRI, or MRA may also be recommended to help determine the cause of your kidney disease. Biopsy: a kidney biopsy removes a small piece of kidney tissue with a needle so it can be examined under a microscope to help determine the cause of kidney disease. This is not necessary in every case. Litholink analysis: a specialized urine test for kidney stone patients that analyzes the chemical makeup of the urine to identify and help modify the risk factors that are causing stones to form.

Treatment starts with finding the cause. We review your history, medications, blood and urine tests, and imaging, then build a plan around your specific condition. That plan usually combines medication management with changes to diet and lifestyle, along with regular monitoring so treatment can be adjusted as your numbers change. Because high blood pressure and kidney disease affect each other, we manage them together, and we coordinate with your primary care provider and other specialists so everyone is working from the same plan.

Diabetes is the most common cause of chronic kidney disease in the United States. High blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels in the kidneys and affect their filtering ability, so controlling your blood sugar helps slow the progression of kidney disease.

High blood pressure damages blood vessels and reduces blood supply to the kidneys. High blood pressure can cause kidney problems, and kidney problems can cause high blood pressure. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to a decrease in kidney function and irreversible kidney damage.

Common medications to avoid include NSAIDs (anti inflammatory medications), enemas and laxatives unless ordered by your nephrologist, any cure-all remedies, and many food supplements, herbal medicines, and vitamins. It is a good idea to check with your nephrologist before starting any new over the counter or prescription medication.

Dialysis is a process that cleans and filters your blood. There are two types of dialysis: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Hemodialysis cleans your blood using a machine with a special filter called a dialyzer. During treatment, blood travels from your body through tubes to the dialyzer, which filters out wastes and extra water, and the cleaned blood then flows back into your body through another set of tubes. Peritoneal dialysis removes wastes and extra water using the lining of your abdomen, called the peritoneum, to filter your blood. A special solution travels through a soft tube into your abdomen and draws wastes and extra water from tiny blood vessels in the peritoneum; the used solution is then drained from your abdomen through the same tube.

The two main types of dialysis do the same job, removing waste and extra fluid when your kidneys no longer can, but they work very differently in daily life. Hemodialysis filters your blood through a machine, usually at a dialysis center several times a week, though some patients can do it at home. Peritoneal dialysis uses the lining of your abdomen to filter your blood and is done at home, either through exchanges during the day or with a machine overnight while you sleep. The right choice depends on your health, lifestyle, and preferences, and if dialysis is ever needed we will walk through the options with you.

Many patients with advanced kidney disease can be considered for a transplant, but candidacy depends on your overall health, not just your kidney function. The formal evaluation is done by a transplant center, which reviews your heart health, other medical conditions, and support system. If a transplant may be right for you, we will refer you to a transplant center, help you through the evaluation process, and continue managing your kidney care along the way.

The most important one for most kidney patients is salt: limiting sodium helps control blood pressure and fluid buildup, so watch out for processed foods, canned soups, fast food, and salty snacks. Depending on your stage of kidney disease and your lab results, you may also need to limit potassium (found in foods like bananas, oranges, potatoes, and tomatoes), phosphorus (found in dark colas, processed foods, and some dairy), or protein. Every patient is different, so do not start a strict diet on your own. We will tell you exactly which limits apply to you based on your labs.

There is no single number that fits everyone, because it depends on your condition. For most people, drinking enough water to keep urine light in color is a good goal, and kidney stone patients are often asked to drink more than that. On the other hand, some patients with advanced kidney disease, heart failure, or swelling need to limit fluids instead. Ask us at your visit and we will give you a target that is right for your situation.

It depends on the cause. Sudden kidney injury from things like dehydration, a medication, or an infection can often improve or even fully recover once the cause is treated. Chronic kidney disease usually cannot be reversed, but its progression can be slowed significantly with good blood pressure control, blood sugar control if you are diabetic, the right medications, and diet changes. The earlier treatment starts, the more kidney function can be protected, which is why early referral matters.

Good blood pressure control, diet changes, quitting smoking, and, if you are diabetic, keeping your blood sugar in a safe range are all ways you can positively affect your kidney function and slow the progression of chronic kidney disease. It also helps to stay informed about your test results, ask questions, and be involved in your treatment plan. You are the most important member of your health care team.

We are credentialed with Medicare and Medicaid, Anthem Indiana, Aetna, Cigna, ACPN, DOL/OWCP, Lutheran/Three Rivers Preferred Network, Prime Health Services, Sagamore Health Plan, and TriCare East (Humana Military). Coverage changes often and plan names vary, so please call the office to confirm your specific policy before your first visit. The full list is on our Insurance and Billing page.

The fastest way is to contact your pharmacy and ask them to send us an electronic refill request. You can also call our office at (317) 476-2946 during business hours. Please request refills a few days before you run out so there is no gap in your medication.

Our office is at 10 West Boyd Avenue, Unit C, Greenfield, Indiana 46140, and parking is available on site. If you have any trouble finding us, call (317) 476-2946 and we will point you in the right direction.