Currently, there are a large number of different branches of medicine. One of the most important among them is nephrology. This area of medicine is of great importance, as it allows you to fight the most serious diseases. At the same time, nephrology is a fairly new and dynamically developing field of medical knowledge.
Industry value
Nephrology is a field of medicine that studies the causes, the principles of development, clinical manifestations, diagnostic methods and methods for treating kidney diseases. Currently, it is developing very dynamically. The fact is that nephrology is a very important science, because it allows you to fight serious diseases. In that case, if you do not pay attention to these ailments, then very soon a person’s life will change for the worse, as kidney failure may develop.
Who is a nephrologist
Reviews of specialized departments for the treatment of kidneys are the best. The fact is that nephrologists work there. These specialists are well versed in kidney pathology. Thanks to them, it is possible to solve even the most difficult situations associated with these bodies.
What diseases does a nephrologist treat?
This specialist deals with kidney disease. The main ones are the following:
- pyelonephritis;
- glomerulonephritis;
- urolithiasis disease;
- malignant neoplasms of the kidneys;
- systemic diseases with kidney damage.
At the same time, nephrology is a branch of medicine that has a large number of connections with its other areas.
Connection with Urology
Nephrologists have the closest contacts with urologists. The fact is that doctors in both of these specialties are involved in the fight against diseases of the urinary system. In cases when, with urolithiasis, calculi are not in the kidneys themselves, but in the ureter, urologists will deal with such a patient.
The adjacency of the specialties lies in the fact that with many renal infectious diseases, pathogenic microorganisms continue to spread to the urinary system. The reverse process is also possible, when healthy kidneys are affected by bacteria from the ureter.
Relationship with Rheumatology
With many systemic diseases, the kidneys are involved in the pathological process. In this case, sclerotic changes occur. In the event that a significant amount of parenchyma is involved in this process, renal failure occurs. This condition is quite dangerous, because with urine many substances harmful to the body are released from the blood. If this process is disrupted, then intoxication will increase, which is very dangerous.
If the fact of the presence of kidney damage as a result of the development of systemic diseases is established, then such a patient is not only a nephrologist, but also a rheumatologist. It is this specialist who is capable, if not eliminating the cause of the appearance of these ailments, then at least reduce the rate of their progression and the severity of clinical manifestations.
Connection with Oncology
In cases where the development of a malignant neoplasm is detected in the renal tissue, the help of an oncologist is necessary. Moreover, in the future, this specialist will be engaged in the management of the patient. In most cases, an operation is performed to remove the affected kidney. Most often, surgical treatment is successful and the patient continues to live the same life. At the same time, he, of course, has to take care of the remaining kidney.
Nephrology: Pediatric and Adult
Currently, there are 2 types of nephrological departments: adults and children. Each of them has its own characteristics. For example, in pediatric nephrology, specialized equipment is necessary so that quality care can be provided even to the smallest patients. Nephrology in pediatrics occupies an important place. For this reason, there are whole centers that decide the treatment of renal pathology in children.
The Department of Adult Nephrology includes equipment for the diagnosis of various renal diseases. The main techniques used here are:
- ultrasound examination of the kidneys;
- excretory urography;
- general urine analysis;
- urinalysis according to Nichiporenko;
- urine analysis according to Zimnitsky ;
- Reberg test.
The nephrologist himself establishes a list of necessary studies and, based on their results, as well as clinical data, issues a diagnosis.
About pyelonephritis
The most common diseases that a nephrologist has to deal with are precisely pyelonephritis. This disease develops if a significant increase in the number of pathogenic microorganisms occurs in the kidney tissue.
There are 2 types of pyelonephritis - acute and chronic. The first form is characterized by an increase in temperature up to 39-40 o C, as well as quite pronounced pain in the lumbar region. As for chronic pyelonephritis, it is very rarely accompanied by hyperthermia. The temperature, if it rises, it reaches only subfebrile (up to 38 ° C) figures. Usually, an exacerbation of this disease is accompanied by pain or a feeling of discomfort in the lumbar region.
The fact of the presence of pyelonephritis is better established by analysis of urine according to Nichiporenko. A large number of white blood cells is detected in the sample. The treatment of pyelonephritis is based on the use of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs.
About glomerulonephritis
This disease most often has an autoimmune etiology. His treatment requires serious therapy. Usually it is carried out by a specialized clinic of nephrology. In this case, it is best to undergo treatment in an inpatient setting. The fact is that there is everything necessary to control the patient’s recovery.
The basis for the treatment of glomerulonephritis is glucocorticosteroid drugs and immunosuppressants. These drugs have a fairly large number of side effects. So the treatment of glomerulonephritis should take place under the constant supervision of specialists.
Urolithiasis and nephrologist
Reviews on the treatment of ICD in the nephrology departments are the most positive. This disease can deliver a lot of discomfort to any person. The main symptom is severe back pain. In this case, sometimes it can become simply unbearable. In this case, it is customary to talk about renal colic. Such pain is considered one of the most severe. For its relief, analgesics and antispasmodics are used. This condition should be treated in a hospital setting.
In the event that the stone is large enough, it is possible to carry out surgical intervention. Sometimes such stones are crushed using ultrasonic waves. In this case, kidney nephrology will relieve a serious illness without surgery.
Malignant neoplasms of the kidneys
This disease is very dangerous. However, often it becomes an accidental finding during an ultrasound examination of the kidneys. In the event that the malignant neoplasm is not removed quickly enough, the process can not only progress, but also go to nearby lymph nodes, as well as neighboring organs. Currently, the oncologist is primarily involved in the treatment of such a disease. Nephrologist consultation here is optional.
Acute and chronic renal failure
By themselves, kidney diseases, with the exception of malignant neoplasms, are not particularly dangerous. The main significance here has a violation of the function of urination and urination. The fact is that in this case, intoxication is increasing in the human body. Harmful substances accumulate in the blood . If intoxication will increase, then this can lead to a significant deterioration in the state of the human body, up to a fatal outcome.
When to contact a nephrologist
This specialist needs to make an appointment in the event that lower back pain has appeared. An especially good sign that it is a kidney pathology that is mentioned is a previous (1-2 weeks ago) disease of the upper respiratory tract. In this case, it will be very good to first pass a urine test according to Nichiporenko. So it will be possible to save time and money, because after the first visit to the nephrologist, he will be sent to this study anyway to confirm the diagnosis.
In addition, you should make an appointment to consult such a specialist if the color of urine has changed. It should also be remembered that an important criterion for the condition of the kidneys is the amount of its production. In a healthy person, this indicator is at a level of 1000 - 1500 ml. If any deviations in this indicator occur, then a nephrologist should be visited.