[Nephrology] Introduction

Nephrologists specialise in diseases of the kidneys.
There is significant overlap with urology.

 

Etymology

Ancient Greek  νεφρός (nephros) = kidney
Ancient Greek -λογία -logia = study

History taking

Physical examination

 

Common problems:

• Fatigue
• Anasarca 
• Anaemia

 

Kidney diseases

 

Diseases:

• Acute kidney injury (AKI)
• Chronic renal insufficiency (CKD) 
• Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease
• Hypertensive nephropathy
• Diabetic nephropathy
• Pyelonephritis
• Kidney cancer 
• Lupus nephritis
• Anti-glomerular basement membrane disease (anti-GBM disease) (Goodpasture's syndrome) 
• Hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) : This syndrome is only suitable for nephrology intervention, if the patient is scheduled to receive a liver transplant. 
• Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease
• Alport syndrome