Nephrology

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Nephrology is a branch of internal medicine. It deals with diseases and functional disorders of the kidneys. The two bean-shaped organs are responsible for detoxifying the body. They filter residues from metabolic and combustion processes from the blood and excrete them with the urine. If the kidneys work insufficiently (kidney failure), the whole body suffers.

Common kidney diseases are:

• Kidney failure (renal failure)
• Kidney stones or gravel
• congenital pathological changes in the kidneys

Kidney dysfunction is often the result of other diseases. For example, kidney weakness can be caused by diabetes because the abnormally high blood sugar damages the kidneys (diabetic nephropathy). High blood pressure, viral infections, toxins and medication can also affect the functioning of the kidneys in such a way that kidney failure can develop.

If the filter performance of the kidneys becomes too low, regular blood washing (dialysis) must replace the work of the organs. The last option is a kidney transplant. This is prepared and followed up by nephrologists. The actual intervention is then carried out by transplant doctors.

Depending on the clinical picture, nephrologists also work closely with other specialist colleagues, for example with diabetologists in diabetic patients with kidney damage.

Note: Pediatric Nephrology is responsible for children with kidney disease. This is a separate area in paediatrics.

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