Nephrology
Nephrology is the subspecialty of internal medicine that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the kidney. Because the kidney performs so many critical functions, nephrologists maintain expertise in primary kidney disorders, but also the management of the systemic consequences of kidney dysfunction. Although the prevention and identification and management of early kidney disease is a large part of general internal medicine practice, nephrologists are usually called upon to assist and manage more complex or advanced nephrologic disorders.
Nephrologists can work with you to help diagnose and treat the following conditions:
- blood or protein in urine
- chronic kidney disease
- kidney stones, although a urologist may also treat this
- kidney infections
- kidney swelling due to glomerulonephritis or interstitial nephritis
- kidney cancer
- polycystic kidney disease
- hemolytic uremic syndrome
- renal artery stenosis
- nephrotic syndrome
- end-stage kidney disease
- kidney failure, both acute and chronic
A nephrologist can also be involved when other factors cause kidney disease or dysfunction, including:
- high blood pressure
- diabetes
- heart disease
- autoimmune conditions, such as lupus
- medications
