Nephrology
Nephrology is a specialty of internal medicine that focuses on the treatment of diseases that affect the kidneys.
You have two kidneys. They’re located below your ribcage on either side of your spine. The kidneys have several vital functions, including:
- removing waste and excess fluid from the blood
- maintaining your body’s electrolyte balance
- releasing hormones with functions such as managing blood pressure
A nephrologist is a type of doctor that specializes in treating diseases of the kidney. Not only do nephrologists have expertise on diseases that specifically affect the kidney, but they’re also very knowledgeable about how kidney disease or dysfunction can affect other parts of your body.
Although your primary care doctor will work to help prevent and treat early stages of kidney disease, a nephrologist may be called in to help diagnose and treat more severe or complex kidney conditions.
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