What is Nephrology – Reading Nephrology

What Is Nephrology?

Important Functions Of The Kidney

Removal of waste products from the blood stream
Removal of drugs from the blood stream
Regulation of the body’s fluid levels
Regulation of blood pressure and volume
regulation of Vitamin D, Calcium and Phosphorus to promote bone health
Regulation of red blood cell production

Risk Factors For Kidney Disease

Diabetes
Hypertension
Glomerulonephritis (inflammatory diseases of the kidneys)
Congenital Disease
Structural Diseases such as polycystic kidney disease
Kidney Stones

Tests For Kidney
Disease

Blood pressure measurement
Urine measurement for protein
Blood testing for creatinine levels

Signs And Symptoms Of Kidney Disease

High Blood pressure
blood or protein in the urine
Frequent urination, urination at night
Swelling

Risk Factors For Kidney Disease

Advancing Age
Diabetes
High Blood pressure
Family history of Kidney Disease
Ethnicity, (African American, Hispanic American, Asians and Pacific Islander or American Indian)