Nephrology

The Department of Nephrology focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of kidney (renal) diseases. The kidneys are vital organs that filter waste products and excess fluid from the blood, regulate blood pressure, maintain electrolyte balance, and produce hormones that support red blood cell production.

Nephrologists manage a wide spectrum of kidney conditions. Common issues include chronic kidney disease (CKD), which progresses slowly over time; acute kidney injury (AKI), a sudden loss of kidney function often caused by dehydration, infection, or medication; and glomerulonephritis, inflammation of the kidney's filtering units. They also treat kidney stones (often in collaboration with urology), electrolyte disorders, and hypertension (high blood pressure), as the kidneys play a key role in blood pressure regulation.

Diagnosis in nephrology involves various tests. Urinalysis checks for protein or blood in the urine. Blood tests measure creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) to assess kidney function. Imaging studies like ultrasound help visualize kidney structure. For some conditions, a kidney biopsy may be needed to determine the exact cause of damage.

Treatment approaches depend on the condition. Many kidney diseases are managed with medication, dietary changes, and blood pressure control. For end-stage kidney failure, treatment options include dialysis (hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis) to artificially filter the blood, or kidney transplantation. The goal of nephrology is to preserve kidney function, slow disease progression, and improve patients' quality of life.