What is Nephrology?
Nephrology is a branch of medicine, especially the subspecialty of internal medicine that performs the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the kidney. The kidney is a very important organ of the body that performs so many critical functions. Therefore, keeping the nephrology healthy is very important to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Who is a Nephrologist?
A nephrologist is a medical doctor who specializes in kidney care and treating diseases of the kidneys. The term nephrologist comes from the Greek word “nephros”, which means kidney or renal and “ologist” refers to someone who studies. Nephrologists acquire education and knowledge to have expertise in primary kidney disorders, but also the management of the systemic consequences of kidney dysfunction.
Expertise and duties of nephrologist
Having higher education in internal medicine and more training to specialize in treating patients with kidney diseases. They treat
-Chronic kidney disease (CKD),
-Polycystic kidney disease (PKD),
-Acute renal failure,
-Kidney stones,
-High blood pressure,
-Kidney transplantation,
-Dialysis,
-Glomerular/vascular disorders,
-Tubular/interstitial disorders,
-Mineral metabolism,
-Nutrition
What are Glomerular/Vascular disorders?
Glomerular/vascular disorders are disorders of the glomeruli or clusters of blood vessels in the kidneys. Nephrologist treats the patients with glomerular/vascular disorders to help slow the progression of these disorders to preserve kidney function for as long as they can.
What are Tubular/Interstitial disorders?
Tubular/interstitial disorders affect the tubules of the kidneys and the surrounding tissues. The tubules collect the filtered fluid from the kidneys that ultimately becomes urine. Nephrologist can diagnose the symptoms of these disorders and then treat them.
High blood pressure/Hypertension
It is one of the most leading factors to cause the end stage renal disease (ESRD). Blood pressure may increase when kidneys excrete too much of renin. Nephrologist can help to treat high blood pressure by medicines and other methods, such as diet and exercise.
What is Dialysis?
Dialysis is the process of cleaning the blood when the kidneys no longer function. Nephrologist have knowledge and expertise about the two types of dialysis- hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Therefore, they can match their patients with the dialysis treatment that works best for their health and lifestyle.
What is Kidney transplantation?
Kidney transplantation is the process by which nephrologist can replace someone’s own damaged kidneys by another kidney received from someone else. Nephrologists acquire knowledge and expertise about all aspects of kidney transplantation so they can help their patients understand and prepare for this procedure.
What is Mineral metabolism?
Mineral metabolism disorders occur when there are abnormal amounts of minerals in the blood. Nephrologist can treat the patients to correct or manage their mineral metabolism disorders to make sure their patients get the amount of minerals they need for healthy growth and to keep their bodies functioning as they should.
Management of acute kidney failure?
Acute kidney failure occurs when the kidneys suddenly stop working. Sometimes the kidneys can recover from acute kidney failure. Nephrologist can treat all reversible situations that cause acute kidney failure, such as kidney stones, infections or major blood loss.
Management of chronic kidney disease
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) occurs when the kidneys slowly stop working over a period of time. There are five stages to CKD. The last stage is called end stage renal disease (ESRD). Nephrologist acquires knowledge and expertise about the five stages of chronic kidney disease and how to manage them so they can slow the progression of kidney disease and keep their patients as healthy as possible.
Role of Nutrition in kidney disease
Nutrition plays a big part in slowing the progression of kidney disease and living well with kidney failure. Nephrologists have knowledge what nutrients kidney patients can and cannot have so they can help their patients get the nutrition they need.
Interpretation of x-rays, sonograms and other tests
X-rays, sonograms and other tests can identify some kidney diseases.