A nephrologist is a physician who studies and deals with nephrology. Nephrology is the adult and pediatric study of the kidneys and its diseases. The nephrologist deals with the diagnosis and management of kidney disease. The kidneys are vital for maintaining normal fluid and electrolyte balance in the body.
Diseases affecting the kidneys
Diseases including diabetes and high blood pressure also affect the kidney adversely and it is a nephrologist who deals with preventing and treating renal damage caused by these systemic or whole body diseases as well.
How it works
Nephrologists deal with kidney disorders including:-
fluid and electrolyte disorders
acid-base disorders
kidney stones
glomerular diseases
tubulointerstitial diseases
mineral metabolism
acute kidney disease
acute renal failure
chronic kidney diseases
chronic renal failure
end stage renal disease and dialysis
They need to be well aware of medications and clinical pharmacology, high blood pressure management, diabetes management and its complications, epidemiology of diseases and infections as well as nutritional management for prevention and treatment of kidney diseases.
