The kidneys are responsible for cleaning the blood and keeping them chemically balanced. A patient may be suffering from decreased kidney function, or kidney failure if the following symptoms are present:

Blood or protein present in urine
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Kidney stones
Electrolyte disorder
Fluid retention

A nephrologist will determine through urine analysis, blood test, X-ray, sonogram, or kidney biopsy how well the kidneys are functioning and will then prescribe a special diet and exercise program, medication or dialysis - a process by which a machine filters the blood when the kidney is no longer capable of doing so.

The area of Reading, PA has a population of approximately 213,013 people. There are 3 nephrologists near Reading, which gives it a ratio of 1 nephrologist per 71,004 residents or a ratio of 1 nephrologist per 26,732 households. There are 80,195 households in Reading.