Nephrology is the branch of medicine that focuses on the study, diagnosis, and treatment of kidney-related diseases. It deals with how the kidneys work, what happens when they don’t function properly, and how to manage conditions that affect them.

Functions of the Kidneys

• Filtering waste products and toxins from the blood

• Balancing electrolytes and body fluids

• Regulating blood pressure

• Producing hormones (like erythropoietin for red blood cells)

• Activating vitamin D for bone health

🔹 Conditions Managed in Nephrology

• Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

• Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)

• Glomerulonephritis (inflammation of kidney filters)

• Kidney stones

• Hypertension related to kidney function

• Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)

• End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) requiring dialysis or transplant

🔹 Treatments in Nephrology

• Medications (for blood pressure, diabetes, inflammation, etc.)

• Dialysis (hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis) for kidney failure

• Kidney Transplantation

• Lifestyle management (diet, fluid control, low-salt intake, etc.)

🔹 Specialists

A nephrologist is a doctor trained in internal medicine and further specialized in kidney health.