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Dr. Ricardo Uribe, MD is a nephrologist in San Antonio, TX specializing in adult nephrology. He graduated from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine. Dr. Ricardo Uribe, MD is affiliated with University Health and UT Health San Antonio.
4306 De Zavala Road Building 1
San Antonio, TX 78230
4502 Medical Drive
San Antonio, TX 78229
8435 Wurzbach Road
San Antonio, TX 78229
Acute Kidney Failure
Kidney failure is when 80% to 90% of kidney function is lost. Kidney failure is also referred to as end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Kidneys are critical to human health, essentially acting as the body's built-in filtration system. When the kidneys can no longer function effectively, waste can accumulate in the blood and concentrations of nutrients can become unbalanced, impairing the body from performing critical functions. For example, if the kidneys do not regulate levels of potassium, the heart may develop arrhythmias (irregular rhythm) or even go into cardiac arrest.
Kidney failure may be caused by a number of health conditions that slowly damage and weaken the kidneys, such as:
High blood pressure and diabetes are the most frequently observed causes of kidney failure. However, these conditions typically take years to develop into kidney failure and might escape notice during that time.
Symptoms of kidney failure include:
No cure currently exists for kidney failure; however, medical treatment can permit people to live healthy and long lives. A nephrologist (kidney doctor) determines the most effective treatments for patients with kidney failure.
Dialysis is a well-known treatment for kidney failure that uses a machine to filter and clean waste from the blood. Patients attend regular dialysis sessions to replace their lost kidney function. Some patients with kidney failure are unable to survive without having dialysis every few days.
More advanced kidney failure may be treated by kidney transplant surgery. Deceased donor kidney transplant surgery provides kidney failure patients with a healthy kidney from a recently deceased person. Living donor kidney transplant surgery provides a kidney from a donor who is still alive. As most people have two kidneys, kidney failure patients' relatives or friends may offer to donate one of their kidneys. Kidney transplants can dramatically improve kidney function and lower or eliminate the need for dialysis.
People with kidney failure are advised to eat a nutritious diet, monitor and lower blood pressure, and to best manage diabetes. Exercise and a tobacco-free lifestyle may also help patients with kidney failure.
Anemia
Anemia is the most common blood disorder. It occurs when the body does not have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen to the tissues. Blood loss, insufficient red blood cell production, and red blood cell destruction are the three main causes of anemia. These issues may arise from such conditions as iron deficiency, heavy periods, ulcers, kidney disease, as well as some forms of cancer.
An individual with anemia will have the following symptoms: shortness of breath, weakness, dizziness, cold hands or feet, paleness, and irritability. Anemia is diagnosed when blood tests show low counts for hemoglobin, which is the protein responsible for carrying oxygen to different tissues throughout the body.
Treatments for anemia are dependent on the kind of anemia an individual has. For example, iron supplementation may correct iron deficiency anemia. For anemia caused by chronic kidney failure, chemotherapy treatments, and HIV/AIDS, a group of medications called erythropoiesis-stimulating agents may be prescribed.
Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are hard deposits that form in the kidneys, made up of minerals that are normally present in urine. They can vary in size, from as small as a grain of sand to as large as a nickel, occasionally even larger. Sometimes they lodge in the kidney, and sometimes they break free and make their way out through the urinary tract, which can be extremely painful.
Kidney stones can be smooth or jagged and are yellow to brown in color. They are mostly comprised of the minerals calcium, oxalate, and phosphorus. Examining the stones to see what they are made of can show what caused the stone to be formed in the first place. For example, a stone made of mostly calcium, which is the most common type, can happen any time the urine becomes too concentrated due to dehydration or a blockage in the kidney. A uric acid stone forms when acid levels in the urine get too high, usually due to excessive consumption of animal protein such as meat and fish. A struvite stone is a sign of certain infections, and a cystine stone can be due to a genetic disorder that raises the risk of kidney stones.
The most common symptom of kidney stones is pain, either in the back or lower abdomen, or severe pain when urinating. There may also be blood in the urine. Treatment for kidney stones depends on how large the stone is. Very small stones can pass out of the body on their own, and they do not require treatment other than drinking adequate water and taking pain killers. Larger stones need to be broken apart and removed. The main treatment options are:
People who have had one kidney stone are at risk of developing another. To reduce this risk, patients are given instructions specific to the type of stone they developed. Generally the instructions will include drinking more water to dilute the urine, but it may also involve lowering sodium intake or eating less meat.
Dr. Ricardo Uribe, MD graduated from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine. He completed residency at University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and Affiliated Hospitals. He is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and has a state license in Texas.
Medical School: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine
Residency: University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and Affiliated Hospitals (2021)
Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine
Licensed In: Texas
Dr. Ricardo Uribe, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:
Dr. Ricardo Uribe, MD appears to accept the following insurance providers: Superior Health Plan, BlueCross BlueShield of Texas, Humana PPO, Coventry HMO, Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS), Prime Health, Medicare Advantage, MultiPlan, Coventry PPO, Coventry Workers' Compensation, Three Rivers, Humana HMO, Aetna, United Healthcare, Medicaid, Humana, Molina Healthcare, HealthSmart, Aetna EPO, First Health, Aetna PPO, WellPoint, Aetna HMO, Oscar - Commercial Exchange, Interlink - Transplant, Point Comfort Underwriters (PCU) - Refugee Medical Assistance, Provider Network of America (PNOA) - Commercial, Insurance Accepted, OptumHealth - Transplant ONLY, Scott & White Health Plan - HMO, Gonzaba Medical Group - Transplant ONLY, Universal Benefits Consortium - Brokerage Firm (School Districts), University of Incarnate Word (Gilsbar) - Direct Employer, Scott & White Health Plan - PPO, Tokio Marine - Transplant, 90 Degree Benefits - Commercial, 6 Degrees - Transplant, LifeTrac - Transplant, Point Comfort Underwriters (PCU) - Unaccompanied Children, Ancira Enterprises - Direct Employer, Velocity National Provider Network - Wrap Network, Independent Medical Systems (IMS) - PPO, Entrust - TPA, EBSO - TPA and Velocity National Provider Network - Commercial PPO.
According to our sources, Dr. Ricardo Uribe, MD accepts the following insurance providers:
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Dr. Ricardo Uribe practices adult nephrology in San Antonio, TX. Dr. Uribe studied medicine at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine. His residency was performed at a hospital affiliated with the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. Areas of expertise for Dr. Uribe include vitamin D deficiency, renal artery stenosis, and portal hypertension. He is in-network for several insurance carriers, including Aetna EPO, Blue California, and HealthSmart. In addition to English, Dr. Uribe (or staff) speaks Spanish and German. His hospital/clinic affiliations include the University Health and UT Health San Antonio. UT Health San Antonio reports that he is accepting new patients at his office in San Antonio, TX.
