Nephrology

Acute kidney injury (AKI), characterized by a sudden decline in kidney function, is frequently triggered by dehydration, infections, or medications. Symptoms may include reduced urine output, swelling, and confusion. Treatment strategies emphasize fluid management and medications, with temporary dialysis employed in severe cases.  

Urinary tract obstruction, a blockage that can cause kidney damage, is often caused by kidney stones, tumors, or an enlarged prostate. Treatment options range from surgery and medications to minimally invasive procedures. 

A progressive condition where the kidneys gradually lose function over time. Common causes include diabetes, hypertension, and autoimmune diseases. Treatments strategies focus on blood pressure management, diet modification, medication, and dialysis if necessary. 

PKD is a genetic condition causing kidney cysts that leads to symptoms like high blood pressure and pain. Management involves blood pressure control and pain relief, with severe cases potentially requiring dialysis or transplant. 

Lupus nephritis, a kidney inflammation complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), presents with symptoms such as blood in urine, swelling, and high blood pressure. Treatment typically involves immunosuppressants, corticosteroids, and lifestyle modifications. 

Kidney vascular disorders include vasculitis, an inflammation of blood vessels that reduces kidney function, and renal artery stenosis, a narrowing of arteries affecting blood flow. Treatments range from immunosuppressive medications and blood pressure control to angioplasty. 

Hypertension (High Blood Pressure & Kidney Disease): Chronic hypertension can damage kidney blood vessels, ultimately causing kidney disease. Treatment involves lifestyle modifications, medications such as ACE inhibitors and ARBs, and ongoing monitoring of kidney function. 

Proteinuria, characterized by elevated protein levels in urine, signals kidney damage and can be caused by conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and kidney infections. Treatment strategies include medications such as ACE inhibitors, dietary adjustments, and consistent monitoring. 

Electrolyte imbalances, involving sodium, potassium, calcium, and phosphorus, can impair kidney function, manifesting as muscle weakness, irregular heartbeat, and confusion. Treatments focus on dietary adjustments, electrolyte management, and medication. 

Kidney Stones (Nephrolithiasis) are hard deposits of minerals and salts in the kidney. Symptoms typically include severe pain, hematuria (blood in urine), and nausea. Treatment approaches range from increased hydration and pain management to lithotripsy (shock wave therapy) or surgical removal. 

In-center hemodialysis, performed at our medical facility, serves to remove waste products, excess fluids, and toxins from the blood when kidney function is severely impaired. 

For patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) requiring a kidney transplant, we offer comprehensive services including pre-transplant evaluation, post-transplant care and medication management, and long-term kidney health monitoring. 

• Aetna Select
• Open Access Selects
• Elect Choice
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• Aetna Choice POS II
• Managed Choice
• Open Choice PPO
• Aetna Medicare Advantage Plans

CLS Health does not accept:

• Aetna CVS Marketplace Plans

* Some providers may not accept this insurance, please call to confirm

• Superior Ambetter Core (Complete, Clear, Focused, Standard Silver and Gold)
• Superior Ambetter Value (Clear Value Silver, Focused Value Silver, CMS Standard Silver & Gold Value, Everyday Value Gold)
• Superior Ambetter Virtual (Ambetter Virtual Access Silver, CMS Standard Virtual Access Basic Silver, Ambetter Virtual Access Gold)
• Superior Health Plan CHIP*
• Superior Health Plan MAPD (Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug)
• Superior Health Plan Medicare
• Superior Health Plan MMP Medicaid*
• Superior Health Plan MMP Medicare
• Superior Health Plan STAR*
• Superior Health Plan STAR Kids*
• Superior Health Plan STAR+PLUS*

CLS Health participates in most Blue Cross Blue Shield plans including:

• Blue Choice PPO
• Blue Essentials
• Blue Essentials Access
• HealthSelect
• HealthSelect of Texas In Area
• Consumer Directed HealthSelect in Area
• HealthSelect of Texas Out of State
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• Medicare Advantage HMO
• Medicare Advantage PPO
• Medicare Advantage Value HMO
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• TRS-Care Standard
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*Some providers may not accept Community Health Choice, please call to confirm

• MarketplacePremier
• Medicaid*CHIPCHIP PerinateSTAR
• Medicare AdvantageDual-Special Needs Plan (D-SNP)

CLS Health accepts most Cigna plans, including:

• Cigna HMO
• Cigna Local Plus
• Cigna Open Access Plus
• Cigna PPO

• ChoiceCare PPO
• EPO
• HMO
• HMO Premier
• Medicare Advantage Plans
• HumanaChoice - Medicare Advantage PPO plan
• Humana Gold Choice - Medicare Advantage Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plan
• Human Gold Plus - Medicare Advantage HMO & Special Needs Plan
• Military (TRICARE South Region Military Health Plan)
• POS - including Choice POS, National POS Open Access/Plus and Preferred POS Open Access.
• PPO

*Some providers may not accept United Healthcare, please call to confirm

• Commercial, HMO, POS, EPO and PPO Plans (Charter, Choice,Core, Doctors Plan, Freedon, Heritage, Navigate, Nexus ACO, Options PPO, Passport Connect, Select)
• Indemnity
• Medicare Advantage (AARP, Care Improvement Plus, C-SNP, D-SNP, I-SNP, Erickson Advantage, ERS Medicare Advantage, TRS-Care Medicare Advantage, UnitedHealthcare Chronic Complete, UnitedHealthcare Connected (Medicare-Medicaid Plan), UnitedHealthcare Dual Complete, UnitedHealthcare Group Medicare Advantage PPO, United Healthcare Medicare Complete)
• Community Plans* (CHIP, CHIP Perinate, Star, Star Kids, Star Plus, MMP)
• Wellmed (Wellmed Dual SNP Focus, Wellmed Medicare Advantage Focus)

*Some providers may not accept Wellpoint, please call to confirm

• Medicaid (All Texas Plans Including the Below)*
• CHIP
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• Medicare Advantage HMO
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• Medicare-Medicaid Program (MMP)
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*Some providers may not accept insurance, please call to confirm

PPO Networks

• Beechstreet PPO
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Employer-Specific Plans

• Brazoria County Employees – Aetna TPA Brazoria County Employees

Workers’ Compensation Plans

• Workers’ Comp
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Medicare and Medicare Advantage

• Medicare Traditional
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• Molina Medicare Complete Care HMO SNP
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• American Health Plans
• Florida Complete Care
• Gold Kidney Health Plan
• Imperial Health
• Independent Health
• Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington
• Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Colorado
• Mass Advantage
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• PriorityHealth
• Provider Partners
• SCAN
• UCare
• Vantage Health Plan
• Verda Healthcare
• Zing Health

Medicaid and CHIP Programs

• Molina Healthcare* (Marketplace, Medicaid, CHIP, CHIP Perinate, STAR, STAR Kids, STAR+PLUS)
• Texas Children's Health Plans*
• TMHP (Traditional Medicaid) Traditional Medicaid

Specialty Plans

• VA Community Cares Network CCN

A kidney specialist is called a nephrologist. Nephrologists diagnose and treat kidney diseases, high blood pressure, dialysis, and kidney transplants. 

When should I see a nephrologist? If you have chronic kidney disease (CKD), high blood pressure, kidney stones, or abnormal lab results. 

Doctors check glomerular filtration rate (GFR) to measure kidney function: 

• 90+ GFR: Normal kidney function 
• 60-89 GFR: Mild kidney disease 
• 30-59 GFR: Moderate kidney disease 
• Below 30 GFR: Severe kidney disease 
• Below 15 GFR: Kidney failure (dialysis or transplant needed) 

A creatinine blood test also helps determine kidney health. 

Kidney failure (also known as end-stage renal disease, ESRD) happens when the kidneys lose their ability to filter waste. Common causes include: 

• Diabetes (leading cause of kidney failure) 
• High blood pressure (damages kidney blood vessels) 
• Chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression 
• Autoimmune diseases (like lupus nephritis) 
• Severe infections or dehydration 

• Swelling (edema) in legs, feet, or face 
• Foamy or bloody urine 
• Frequent urination (especially at night) 
• Fatigue & weakness 
• High blood pressure 

Early detection is critical — get your kidney function tested if you experience these symptoms. 

A kidney infection (pyelonephritis) is caused by bacteria traveling from the bladder or urinary tract to the kidneys. Common causes include: 

• Untreated urinary tract infections (UTIs) 
• Kidney stones (causing blockages) 
• Weakened immune system 
• Diabetes (increases infection risk) 

Symptoms: Fever, back pain, nausea, frequent urination. Treatment: Antibiotics and hydration. 

Kidney stones form when minerals and salts in the urine crystallize and stick together. Common causes include: 

• Dehydration (not drinking enough water) 
• High sodium & oxalate diet (found in salty foods, nuts, and spinach) 
• Genetic predisposition 
• Certain medical conditions (hyperparathyroidism, urinary tract infections) 

• Drink plenty of water (aim for 8+ cups a day) 
• Maintain healthy blood pressure & blood sugar 
• Eat a low-sodium, low-protein diet if advised 
• Avoid excessive NSAIDs (like ibuprofen & naproxen) 
• Quit smoking & reduce alcohol intake 

• High-sodium foods (processed foods, canned soup, fast food) 
• High-phosphorus foods (dairy, nuts, soda) 
• Red meat & processed meats (linked to kidney disease) 
• High-oxalate foods (spinach, rhubarb, chocolate - can contribute to kidney stones) 

For kidney-friendly diets, favor fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. 

• Water (best for kidney function & preventing kidney stones) 
• Lemon water (may help prevent kidney stones) 
• Cranberry juice (for UTI prevention) 
• Green tea (rich in antioxidants) 

Avoid: Sugary sodas, excessive coffee, and high-phosphorus drinks like cola. 

• Drink plenty of water (at least 2-3 liters daily) 
• Reduce sodium intake 
• Limit oxalate-rich foods (spinach, beets, chocolate) 
• Eat calcium-rich foods (dairy, tofu) to balance oxalates 
• Maintain a healthy weight & diet