Nephrology Basics

Study Notes

Nephrology is the branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis, treatment, and management of kidney diseases and disorders.
Nephrologists are medical doctors who specialize in the care of patients with kidney problems.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): a gradual loss of kidney function over time, often caused by diabetes, hypertension, or glomerulonephritis.
Acute Kidney Injury (AKI): a sudden and temporary loss of kidney function, often caused by trauma, infection, or medication.
Glomerulonephritis: inflammation of the glomeruli, the tiny blood vessels in the kidneys that filter waste and excess fluids.
Nephrotic Syndrome: a group of symptoms that include proteinuria, edema, and lipiduria.
Kidney Stones: small, hard mineral deposits that form in the kidneys and can cause severe pain.
End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD): the final stage of CKD, requiring dialysis or kidney transplantation.

Urine Tests: used to detect proteinuria, hematuria, and other abnormalities.
Blood Tests: used to measure creatinine, urea, and electrolyte levels.
Imaging Studies: used to visualize the kidneys and urinary tract, such as ultrasound, CT, and MRI scans.
Biopsy: a surgical procedure to obtain a kidney tissue sample for microscopic examination.

Medications: used to manage symptoms, slow disease progression, and treat underlying conditions.
Dialysis: a mechanical filtration process used to remove waste and excess fluids from the blood.
Kidney Transplantation: a surgical procedure to replace a diseased kidney with a healthy one from a donor.
Lifestyle Modifications: dietary changes, fluid management, and stress reduction to slow disease progression.

Nephrology is the branch of medicine that deals with kidney diseases and disorders.
Nephrologists are medical doctors who specialize in caring for patients with kidney problems.

Filtration of waste and excess fluids from the blood
Regulation of electrolyte levels (e.g., sodium, potassium, calcium)
Maintenance of acid-base balance
Production of hormones that regulate blood pressure and red blood cell production

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): gradual loss of kidney function over time, often caused by diabetes, hypertension, or glomerulonephritis
Acute Kidney Injury (AKI): sudden and temporary loss of kidney function, often caused by trauma, infection, or medication
Glomerulonephritis: inflammation of glomeruli, tiny blood vessels in the kidneys that filter waste and excess fluids
Nephrotic Syndrome: symptoms include proteinuria, edema, and lipiduria
Kidney Stones: small, hard mineral deposits that form in the kidneys, causing severe pain
End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD): final stage of CKD, requiring dialysis or kidney transplantation

Urine Tests: detection of proteinuria, hematuria, and other abnormalities
Blood Tests: measurement of creatinine, urea, and electrolyte levels
Imaging Studies: visualization of kidneys and urinary tract using ultrasound, CT, and MRI scans
Biopsy: surgical procedure to obtain kidney tissue sample for microscopic examination

Medications: management of symptoms, slowing disease progression, and treatment of underlying conditions
Dialysis: mechanical filtration process to remove waste and excess fluids from the blood
Kidney Transplantation: surgical procedure to replace diseased kidney with a healthy one from a donor
Lifestyle Modifications: dietary changes, fluid management, and stress reduction to slow disease progression