Dr. Steven A. Burka, MD, Nephrologist (Kidney Specialist)
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Dr. Steven A. Burka, MD

Nephrologist (Kidney Specialist) | Nephrology

3/5(16)
5530 Wisconsin Ave Suite 914 Chevy Chase MD, 20815
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Rating

3/5

About

Dr. Steven Burka is a nephrologist practicing in Chevy Chase, MD. Dr. Burka specializes in the care and treatment of the kidneys. As a nephrologist, Dr. Burka most typically treats conditions like kidney stones, chronic kidney disease, acute renal failure, polycystuc kidney disease, high blood pressure and more. Nephrologists are also experts on kidney transplantation and dialysis. They are usually referred to by primary care physicians for problems related to the kidneys, and while they can perform tests to diagnose kidney disorders, they do not perform surgeries.

Education and Training

George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences Medical Degree 0

Board Certification

American Board of Internal Medicine

Nephrology (Internal Medicine)

Provider Details

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Dr. Steven A. Burka, MD
Dr. Steven A. Burka, MD's Expert Contributions
  • Bloody urine?

    Painless hematuria (blood in the urine) is always something to be concerned about. You should see your physician ASAP. The possibilities include kidney or urinary tract tumors and acute kidney disease. This needs to be investigated immediately! Steven A. Burka, MD, FACP, FASN READ MORE

  • I have blood in urine and urinalysis results?

    Blood in the urine is never to be ignored. You should see your primary physician ASAP. You should be referred to a urologist and, if needed, a nephrologist quickly. Steven A. Burka, MD, FACP, FASN READ MORE

  • Dark urine?

    I would suggest that you see your primary care physician or your urologist as soon as possible. If that is blood in your urine it could be a consequence of a problem with your bladder or prostate, especially in light of your weak urinary stream it is likely to be your prostate. I would not delay seeing your physician as this could be a malignancy. Steven A. Burka, MD, FACP, FASN READ MORE

  • How long can you live on dialysis treatment?

    That’s a very good question. Young & otherwise healthy patients can live for very long periods on dialysis. I actually have a patient currently who had been on dialysis for 25 years. Older, otherwise sicker patients don’t live as long on dialysis. Generally, 50% of all dialysis patients die within 5 years & 50% of diabetics on dialysis die within 3 years, but there can obviously be wide variation. The most common cause of death for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is cardiovascular complications (heart attacks & strokes). With proper attention paid to Blood Pressure, anemia management, & bone metabolism, as well as the traditional risk factors, the risks for heart attacks and strokes can be decreased. Steven A. Burka, MD, FACP, FASN READ MORE

  • What is the connection between low hemoglobin and CKD?

    One of the many functions of the kidneys is to produce a hormone called erythropoietin that stimulates the bone marrow to make hemoglobin & red blood cells. When kidney function is decreased, the production of erythropoietin is also decreased. As a result, anemia is a common concomitant of chronic kidney disease (CKD). It is important that any nutritional deficiencies (iron, B Vitamins) be detected & if present, corrected. Once that is done, the anemia of CKD can be treated with injection of Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents (ESAs) - erythropoietin & others. Steven A. Burka, MD, FACP, FASN READ MORE

  • Will insulin injections affect my kidneys?

    Not likely. Improving your blood sugar control may be helpful in preventing many complications of diabetes. If your kidneys have thus far not been affected by diabetes, improving your sugars may help prevent kidney disease. If your kidneys are already damaged by diabetes, better sugar control will not improve your kidneys. Using insulin will not likely hurt your kidneys. Steven A. Burka, MD, FACP, FASN READ MORE

  • Is a low creatinine level a problem?

    It is normal to have a low creatinine level when pregnant. So it seems that your kidneys are doing the normal thing! Steven A. Burka, MD, FACP, FASN READ MORE

  • What factors can cause nephrotic syndrome?

    Nephrotic Syndrome most commonly is caused by diabetes. In the abnormalities of the filters in the kidneys called the glomeruli. Commonly this is caused by diabetes but it can also be caused by other diseases that have an effect on the filtering membrane in the glomeruli. Often these are issues with autoimmune diseases (syndromes where one is allergic to himself). I would suggest that you have a thorough evaluation by a nephrologist that may include doing a kidney biopsy. Steven A. Burka, MD, FACP, FASN READ MORE

  • Does pregnancy impact the kidneys in any way?

    Pregnancy can impact the kidneys in many ways. Patients with preexistent kidney diseases can have worsening of their disease with pregnancy. Also, their are kidney diseases that can be induced by pregnancy. The normal physiologic changes occurring in the kidneys during pregnancy can result in some protein appearing in the urine & some fluid retention. Pregnant patients often have frequency of urination because of pressure put on the bladder by the expanding uterus. Steven A. Burka, MD, FACP, FASN READ MORE

  • Can dark yellow urine be a sign of a kidney problem?

    Dark yellow urine may be the result of a variety of different factors including, but not limited to, dehydration, or injesting some medications such as multivitamins. You could see your primary doctor to have a simple urinalysis done which may clarify the issue. READ MORE

  • How many times a week do you have to undergo dialysis?

    This depends on the particular mode of dialysis you are on. In-center hemodialysis is generally done 3 times/week (though I have at times treated patients 1 or 2 times per week under special circumstances. Home peritoneal dialysis is done daily. Home hemodialysis is done 6 or 7 days per week. Studies have shown that patients do best with more frequent dialysis, which makes sense because normal human kidneys work 7 days per week. With dialysis, the closer you get to normal physiology the better READ MORE

  • Why is my mother so breathless?

    If your mother is short of breath & has chronic kidney disease I strongly suggest that you contact her physician ASAP to get his advice. She may require immediate care. READ MORE

  • My mother has been diagnosed with glomerular disease. How is it treated?

    Each kidney is composed of ~1 million functional units called “nephrons”. The first part of the nephron is the “glomerulus” or filter. “Glomerular disease” pertains to issues with the glomerulus. There are a number of different types of glomerular diseases with a variety of different treatments. Depending on the specifics of your mother’s clinical situation, it may be appropriate for her to have a kidney biopsy. I strongly suggest that your mother see a nephrologist (kidney specialist) who can evaluate her & determine what specific treatment(s) is/are most likely to benefit her. Steven A. Burka, MD, FACP, FASN READ MORE

Dr. Steven A. Burka, MD's Practice location

Steven A. Burka, MD

5530 Wisconsin Ave Suite 914 -
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
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New patients: 301-654-3803, 301-654-3803
Fax: 301-654-3808

6510 Tilden Ln -
Rockville, MD 20852
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New patients: 301-654-3808

Dr. Steven A. Burka, MD's reviews

(16)
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Patient Experience with Dr. Burka


3.0

Based on 16 reviews

Dr. Steven A. Burka, MD has a rating of 3 out of 5 stars based on the reviews from 16 patients. FindaTopDoc has aggregated the experiences from real patients to help give you more insights and information on how to choose the best Nephrologist (Kidney Specialist) in your area. These reviews do not reflect a providers level of clinical care, but are a compilation of quality indicators such as bedside manner, wait time, staff friendliness, ease of appointment, and knowledge of conditions and treatments.

Media Releases

Get to know Nephrologist Dr. Steven A. Burka, who serves patients throughout the State of Maryland & Washington, D.C.

As a practicing nephrologist, Dr. Burka diagnoses, treats, and manages diseases and complications affecting the kidneys. He has been in private practice since 1981, seeing patients in Chevy Chase, Maryland. 

In his current capacity, he is also an attending physician at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland & the Section Chief of Nephrology/Medical Director of Inpatient Dialysis at Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington, D.C. He makes himself exceptionally available, always presenting a calm demeanor while delivering well-reasoned and effective advice. His kindness is matched by his clinical excellence.

In regards to his educational background, Dr. Burka earned his medical degree from the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences in 1976. He completed a residency in internal medicine at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, followed by residencies in nephrology at NYC Health + Hospitals / Bellevue and New York University Medical Center. 

With a commitment to preserving adult health, he is board-certified in both nephrology and internal medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM). The ABIM is a physician-led, non-profit, independent evaluation organization driven by doctors who want to achieve higher standards for better care in a rapidly changing world. 

Nephrology is a specialty of medicine and pediatrics that concerns itself with the kidneys. It is the study of normal kidney function and kidney disease, the preservation of kidney health, and the treatment of kidney disease, from diet and medication to renal replacement therapy. Nephrologists have advanced training in treating kidney disease. They diagnose and treat kidney failure, as well as help patients by prescribing medications, offering special diet advice, and coordinating dialysis care when the time comes. 

As a testament to his success, Dr. Burka was named a Top Doctor in the Washington, D.C. and Washington-Baltimore areas by Castle Connolly in 2012.

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