Nephrology is the branch of medicine that focuses on the study, diagnosis, and treatment of kidney diseases. A nephrologist is a medical specialist who deals with various kidney-related issues, including conditions like chronic kidney disease (CKD), kidney stones, kidney infections, hypertension (high blood pressure), and end-stage kidney failure, often requiring dialysis or kidney transplantation.
Some key areas in nephrology include:
- Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): Progressive loss of kidney function over time, often caused by diabetes or high blood pressure.
- Acute Kidney Injury (AKI): A sudden decrease in kidney function, often due to infections, dehydration, or certain medications.
- Dialysis: A procedure to artificially remove waste products and excess fluids from the blood when kidneys can no longer perform this function.
- Kidney Transplantation: A procedure to replace a diseased kidney with a healthy donor kidney.
- Electrolyte Imbalance: Disorders of the body’s electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and calcium, which are regulated by the kidneys.
- Glomerulonephritis: Inflammation of the kidneys’ filtering units, often due to infection or autoimmune disease.
Nephrologists work closely with other healthcare providers to manage conditions that affect kidney function and may involve lifestyle changes, medication, or more advanced treatments like dialysis or transplant.
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