Renal Medicine

Renal medicine, also known as nephrology, is a specialized branch of medicine focused on diagnosing and treating diseases of the kidneys. The kidneys play a vital role in filtering blood, balancing electrolytes, managing blood pressure, and producing essential hormones. Common conditions managed by renal medicine include chronic kidney disease (CKD), acute kidney injury (AKI), glomerulonephritis, kidney stones, and hypertension related to kidney dysfunction. Early diagnosis and intervention are critical to preserving kidney function and preventing complications.

Renal specialists, or nephrologists, use various diagnostic tools such as blood tests, urine analysis, imaging studies, and kidney biopsies to assess kidney health. Treatment options may involve lifestyle changes, medications, dialysis, or kidney transplantation, depending on the severity of the disease. Renal medicine also emphasizes patient education on diet, fluid management, and controlling underlying conditions like diabetes and hypertension, which are major contributors to kidney damage.