Dr. Reena P. Samuel M.D.
Nephrologist (Kidney Specialist) | Nephrology
1711 27th St Braulin Bldg, Suite Portsmouth OH, 45662Rating
5/5
About
Dr. Reena Samuel is a nephrologist practicing in Portsmouth, OH. Dr. Samuel specializes in the care and treatment of the kidneys. As a nephrologist, Dr. Samuel 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
MD at T. D. Medical College
Alappuzha
T.D. Med Coll, Univ of Kerala, Aleppey, Kerala, India MD
Medical College Thiruvananthapuram 1990
Board Certification
American Board of Internal Medicine- Internal Medicine
Nephrology; Board Certified in Clinical Hypertension
Internal MedicineAmerican Board of Internal MedicineABIM
Provider Details
Dr. Reena P. Samuel M.D.'s Expert Contributions
Do ayurvedic treatments like massages boost kidney function?
No. If you have kidney disease, please get help from a kidney specialist. Needs to address modifiable risk factors. Also important is avoiding kidney toxic medications. Try to be on a low sky diet. Avoid processed food/meat. Try to control blood pressure, bad sugar/cholesterol. Also, regular exercise will help. Avoid excess weight. Thanks. READ MORE
Can bloating in the stomach be a sign of kidney disease?
Not really. Most likely it is from dyspepsia. If you have doubt, please see your doctor and let him do a urine test and blood work. Thanks. READ MORE
Does a UTI also affect the kidneys?
A simple UTI usually does not affect the kidneys. It just affects the lower urinary tract. If the infection is severe, it can affect the kidneys and call as “pyelonephritis”and is usually associated with fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, etc., and it resolves with appropriate antibiotics and you don’t have to worry about the kidneys. If you get recurrent UTIs, it may need to be evaluated. Thanks. READ MORE
I have a slight pain in my lower abdomen. Could it be kidney stones?
Very unlikely. You may have cystitis. Please do a urine analysis. Thanks. READ MORE
Would you recommend natural medicine for a kidney disease patient?
I do not recommend natural medicines. Some can even harm the kidneys. Thanks. READ MORE
What does protein loss through urine mean or indicate?
Protein in the urine is abnormal. It indicates kidney injury. One should know the amount of protein excreted in a 34-hr period. The physician can order a 24-hr urine collection for it or can do a spot urine protein:creatinine ratio. There are several causes for protein in urine. Diabetes is one of the most important and common reasons. Needs to find out the reason for proteinuria, and management depends on the cause. There are medicines to control it. In patients with hypertension and diabetes, controlling these diseases will improve proteinuria. Also, a low salt diet will help. Thanks. READ MORE
My father is suffering from glomerular disease. What is the treatment?
Glomerular disease can be anything from diabetes/hypertension to disease affecting just the kidney alone, without any systemic disease. Did your father have a kidney biopsy? Your doctor should be able to explain it to you. Without knowing the history, I cannot give a better answer. READ MORE
When is a dialysis recommended?
Seems like your mother has stage 5 kidney disease (GFR less than 15). It is better to prepare her with an access and her doctor will decide ragarding the initiation of dialysis. Initiation of dialysis depends on other co morbid conditions, too. Hope this will help you. Thanks, READ MORE
How can I check the functioning of my kidneys?
By doing blood work, mainly serum creatinine level. Normal level should be less than 1.0. Your doctor can order a serum creatinine level. Also, you may need to check urine for micro albumin, too. READ MORE
My son is passing deep yellow urine. Could it be an issue of the liver or the kidney?
It may be due to jaundice. Please see a pediatrician or a general physician first and go from there. READ MORE
Will kidney infection cause back pain?
Usually, kidney infection (pydlonephritis) causes flank pain along with other symptoms like fever, nausea, vomiting, and urinary symptoms. Unlikely to cause back pain as a sequel. If you had a severe kidney infection with bacteremia and later developed back pain, then it may be worth considering a disc (vertebral) infection as the etiology of the back pain. Or you may have a back pain not related to the current infection at all. It is better to inform your situation to your nephrologist or PCP. Hope this will help you. READ MORE
Does a creatinine level of 5.5 require dialysis?
Usually, a creatinine of 5.5 is stage 5 kidney disease. Seems like she may have uremic symptoms. Better to talk to her physician and if he/she suggests dialysis, pls proceed with that. Also, it is better to check her medications to see if any meds are making her more sleepy. Also, make sure she is not anemic. Anemia is common at this level of creatinine. Hope this will help you. Thanks READ MORE
How is the status of kidneys determined in a diabetes patient?
Diabetes damages the kidney and is the number one cause of end stage renal disease in developed countries. Also, would like to rule out other reasons too. Hope she is under the care of a nephrologist. Usually, diabetic kidney damage starts with albumin leak and slowly getting some hypertension and progression of kidney disease. Hope this will help you. READ MORE
Is there any medication to reduce the creatinine levels in a person?
Basically, no medicine to reduce serum creatinine. But there are some modifiable risk factors: hypertension, diabetes, obesity, dietary habits, sedentary lifestyle, etc. which he can work on. Also medications like ACEI/ARB can retard the progression of some kidney diseases. Hope this will help you. READ MORE
Is surgery necessary for a mild benign prostatic hyperplasia?
It depends on the size of the prostrate and symptoms. Usually, mild prostatic hypertrophy is treated with medicine. Urologist,not nephrologist ,can help you regarding this. Thanks READ MORE
Can high blood pressure affect the kidneys?
Yes, it can. You need good blood pressure control. This may be an uncontrolled primary hypertension or a secondary hypertension. I’m not sure about your medications. You must see a physician ASAP. READ MORE
Is it normal to have cloudy urine?
Cloudy urine is not common. If you have frothy and cloudy urine, please inform your physician and you will need urine analysis initially, should proceed from there. Thanks READ MORE
Is there a way to reduce creatinine levels naturally?
As there is a sudden rise in serum creatinine recently, make sure appropriate work up has been done already, including a urine analysis, kidney ultrasound, urine protein, medication review including over-the-counter medications etc. Few things she can do to protect the kidney is to cut down salt, processed meat etc. and avoid non steroidal anti inflammatory medications. Try to have good BP control and also blood sugar control. Also, cutting down total protein intake may help (around 0.6-0.8 gm/kg/day). Hope this will help you. READ MORE
Is there an alternative to dialysis in case of kidney patients?
Alternative to dialysis is kidney transplant. It depends on her comorbud conditions and also availability of living donors. She has stage 5 kidney disease. If she does not like dialysis (and not a candidate for transplant), conservative measures to be done. Needs to check electrolytes, volume status and acid base balance. She should be on a low salt diet. Try to avoid processed food/meat, etc. If she declines dialysis, she can have electrolytes imbalance mainly high potassium (which can be dangerous) and also retain fluid and may develop heart failure: edema, etc., also can develop uremic symptoms like nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, lethargy, jerky movements, and finally can develop seizure, coma, etc. Let your mother talk to her kidney doctor in detail about it and may attend a dialysis clinic for PRE ESRD education. Hope this will help you. READ MORE
Protein in urine question
Protein in the urine by itself can make kidney disease worse and also, it can accelerate heart disease. You have to see how much protein you are spilling by quantifying the protein in the urine. Depending on the amount of protein and other urine findings(blood) etc., may need further workup. As I'm not sure about your medical history, not sure the possible etiologies at this time. Diabetes is a common cause. There are medicines to cut down proteinuria. Also, you should cut down your salt intake. If you have Diabetes or hypertension, you need to do good blood sugar and BP control. If you are obese, needs weight reduction. Also stop any nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, if you are on. Also, needs to check your creatinine. Hope this will help you. READ MORE
Areas of expertise and specialization
Faculty Titles & Positions
- Clinical Professor, Ohio University -
Awards
- Selected as Top American Physician for 15 Years Since 2001
Internships
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Fellowships
- Lenox Hill Hospital, 1995
Professional Society Memberships
- American Society of Nephrology, Ohio State Medical Association, American Society of Hypertension
Articles and Publications
- Published in the past
What do you attribute your success to?
- Hard work and she always wanted to become a doctor in order to help others.
Dr. Reena P. Samuel M.D.'s Practice location
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Dr. Reena P. Samuel M.D.'s reviews
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Nearest Hospitals
KINGS DAUGHTERS MEDICAL CENTER OHIOl
1901 ARGONNE ROAD PORTSMOUTH OH 45662OUR LADY OF BELLEFONTE HOSPITALl
1000 SAINT CHRISTOPHER DRIVE ASHLAND KY 41101