Nephrology is a subspecialty of internal medicine that focuses on the health and diseases of the kidneys. The main areas of focus in nephrology include:
Diagnosing and treating acute or chronic loss of kidney function
Regulating blood pressure in patients with hypertension
Correcting fluid and electrolyte imbalances (such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and phosphorus)
Investigating abnormal findings in the urine, such as protein leakage and hematuria (blood in the urine)
Evaluating and managing kidney-related complications caused by systemic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, heart failure, and rheumatologic conditions, as well as side effects of certain medications
Planning and managing dialysis or kidney transplantation in patients with advanced kidney failure
Diagnosing and treating a wide range of kidney-related conditions, including urinary tract infections, kidney stones, and kidney cysts