Nephrology (from Greek: νεφρολογία) is a branch of medicine that deals with the kidney, its diseases and their treatment. The word nephrology comes from the Greek words for kidney (νεφρός) and study (λόγος). A medical doctor specializing in nephrology is called a nephrologist.
The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs that are located in the back of the abdomen. They are responsible for filtering the blood and removing waste products from the body in the form of urine. The kidneys also help to regulate blood pressure, red blood cell production, and calcium metabolism.
There are many different kidney diseases that can affect both children and adults. Some common kidney diseases include acute renal failure, chronic renal failure, polycystic kidney disease, and glomerulonephritis. Treatment for kidney disease often includes medication, diet changes, and dialysis or transplantation in severe cases.
Acute renal failure occurs when the kidneys suddenly stop working properly. This can be caused by factors such as dehydration, infection, or injury. Symptoms of acute renal failure include fatigue, confusion, shortness of breath, and fluid retention. If left untreated, acute renal failure can lead to death within days or weeks. Chronic renal failure is a gradual decline in kidney function over months or years. It is usually caused by another underlying condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure. Symptoms of chronic renal failure include tiredness, poor appetite, weight loss, itching ,and difficulty concentrating . If left untreated ,chronic renal failure can progress to end-stage renal disease which requires dialysis or transplantation to sustain life . Polycystic kidney disease is an inherited disorder that causes multiple cysts to form on the kidneys . These cysts can cause the kidneys to become enlarged and eventually fail . Symptoms of polycystic kidney disease may not appear until middle age or later ,and can include pain in the sides or back ,high blood pressure ,blood in urine ,and urinary tract infections . Glomerulonephritis is an inflammation of the glomeruli -the tiny filters inside your kidneys that remove waste products from your bloodstream . Glomerulonephritis can be caused by autoimmune disorders ,infections ,or other conditions . Symptoms typically develop over days or weeks and can include fever ,weight gain ,dark urine ,and swelling . If left untreated glomerulonephritis can lead to chronic renalfailure or end-stage renal disease