General Nephrology
GENERAL NEPHROLOGY
This field involves the diagnosis, treatment, and management of various kidney-related conditions.
This includes both acute and chronic kidney diseases.
- Acute Renal Failure (ARF): This is a sudden loss of kidney function over a short period, resulting in the accumulation of waste products and electrolytes in the body. Causes can range from severe infections to medications or kidney injury.
- Chronic Renal Failure (CRF): Also known as chronic kidney disease (CKD), this condition involves the gradual loss of kidney function over a longer period. Common causes include diabetes, hypertension, and glomerulonephritis.
- Diabetic Nephropathy: This is kidney damage that occurs as a complication of diabetes. It is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease and eventually may progress to end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
- Nephrotic Syndrome: This is a kidney disorder characterized by the leakage of large amounts of protein into the urine, along with low levels of protein in the blood and swelling (edema). It can be caused by various underlying conditions.
- Acute Nephritic Syndrome: This refers to a group of symptoms that indicate inflammation and damage to the kidneys, often presenting with hematuria (blood in the urine), proteinuria (protein in the urine), hypertension, and edema. Causes include infections (like post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis) and autoimmune conditions (like lupus nephritis).
As a tertiary care center, you likely handle complex cases and provide specialized care for severe forms of kidney disease, including those requiring dialysis or kidney transplantation. Managing acute renal failure cases involves identifying the underlying cause, correcting electrolyte imbalances, and potentially providing renal replacement therapy if kidney function does not recover.
Diabetic nephropathy, due to the prevalence of diabetes globally, is indeed frequently encountered in nephrology practice. Early detection and management of diabetic kidney disease are crucial in preventing progression to ESRD.
Given below are the descriptions of the conditions treated:
- Nephrotic Syndrome
- Acute Nephritic Syndrome
- Acute Renal Failure
- Chronic Renal Failure
- Proteinuria
- Hematuria