Nephrology focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of kidney diseases. Moreover, this medical specialty encompasses various conditions, from acute kidney injuries to chronic kidney disease. Therefore, Nephrologists are specialists who have complete knowledge of the structure and function of the kidneys and how to treat diseases.

The role of kidneys is to maintain the body’s homeostasis by filtering waste. Therefore, their primary functions include:

• Removing and Filtering waste products such as urea and creatinine, from the blood.
•  They control the amount of water in the body, ensuring proper hydration  and regulating fluid balance
• The kidneys maintain electrolyte balance by balancing essential minerals like sodium, potassium, and calcium.
• Kidneys produce hormones like erythropoietin, which stimulates red blood cell production, and renin, which regulates blood pressure.  

Common Kidney diseases include:

• Chronic kidney disease (CKD), a progressive condition where the kidneys gradually lose their ability to function properly.
• Acute kidney injury (AKI), a sudden decline in kidney function that can be caused by various factors, including infections, medications, or underlying medical conditions.
• Kidney stones that are hard deposits that form in the kidneys.
• Glomerulonephritis which is inflammation of the glomeruli, the tiny filtering units in the kidneys.
• Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) which is a genetic disorder characterized by the growth of numerous cysts in the kidneys.

The common symptoms of kidney disease varies depending on the underlying condition and the stage of the disease. 

Symptoms may include:

• Extreme Fatigue
• Edema or swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting spells and Nausea 
• Shortness of breath
• frequent urination, difficulty urinating, or blood in the urine

Doctors diagnose Kidney disease through a combination of tests, including:

• Blood tests 
• Urine tests 
• Ultrasound, CT scan, MRI
• Kidney biopsy 

It is a progressive condition where the kidneys gradually lose their ability to function properly. Moreover, CKD is an outcome of various factors, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and glomerulonephritis.

Common causes of CKD include:

• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Glomerulonephritis
• Polycystic kidney disease
• Kidney stones
• Obstruction of the urinary tract
• Medications

No, unfortunately, CKD Is generally not reversible. However, with accurate treatment, the progression of the disease can be slowed or even stopped.Therefore, we insists on early detection and management.  

Treatment options for CKD is dependent on the stage of the disease and the underlying causes. Therefore treatment may involve:

• Appropriate medicines to control blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol
• Considerable dietary changes to reduce protein intake and manage fluid balance
• Changes in Lifestyle such as exercise and weight management
• Starting Dialysis (hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis)
• In extreme cases, Kidney transplantation

Yes, people with CKD can continue normal lives with proper management. Additionally, they must follow their doctor’s recommendations and make necessary lifestyle changes. 

They are hard deposits that form in the kidneys or urinary tract. Moreover, they can be composed of various substances, including calcium oxalate, uric acid, and struvite.

The causes of kidney stones are complex and vary from person to person. However, factors that can increase the risk of stones include:

• Dehydration
• Diet which is high in sodium, protein, or oxalate
• Certain medical conditions like gout, hyperparathyroidism
• Genetic

Common symptoms of kidney stones include severe pain in the side or back. Also, this pain is  described as a “renal colic.” 

Some other symptoms include:

• Blood in the urine
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fever
• Chills

The treatment for kidney stones depends on the size and type of the stone, as well as the severity of symptoms. Options may include:

• Increased fluid intake
• Medications to help pass the stone
• Shock wave lithotripsy (SWL), a non-invasive procedure that uses shock waves to break up the stone
• Ureteroscopy, a procedure to remove the stone through a small scope inserted into the urethra
• Open surgery (in rare cases)

A kidney infection, also known as pyelonephritis, is a bacterial infection that affects the kidneys and the urinary tract. It can be caused by bacteria that ascend from the bladder to the kidneys.

Symptoms of a kidney infection may include:

• Fever
• Chills
• Back pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Painful urination
• Blood in the urine

Kidney infections are typically treated with antibiotics. In severe cases, hospitalization may be necessary.

Glomerulonephritis is a condition that affects the glomeruli, the tiny filtering units in the kidneys. It can be caused by various factors, including infections, autoimmune diseases, and medications.

Common causes of glomerulonephritis include:

• Infections like strep throat, hepatitis B or C
• Autoimmune diseases like lupus, Goodpasture syndrome
• Medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics
• Systemic diseases like diabetes, hypertension

Glomerulonephritis treatment depends on the underlying causes: 

• Medications to suppress the immune system
• Diuretics to reduce swelling
• Blood pressure management
• In severe cases, dialysis or kidney transplantation may be necessary.