Nephrology / Renal Medicine

Nephrologists

specialise in the management of conditions that affect the kidneys. This branch of medicine is called Nephrology, or renal medicine. This involves diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the kidneys. The kidneys, located in the rear of the abdominal cavity, filter out wastes and excess fluid from the blood and excrete them as urine. Common problems with the kidneys include: acute (sudden) sudden loss of kidney function, or chronic (long-term) worsening of function; kidney stones; urinary tract infections; blood loss in the urine (haematuria); and protein loss in the urine (proteinuria). Treatment for many kidney disorders commonly involves medications. However, if kidney function worsens or begins to fail, dialysis (using a machine to filter the blood) may be needed and, later, kidney transplantation.