Nephrology

Nephrologists diagnose and treat acute and chronic kidney disease, glomerulonephritis, systemic diseases with kidney involvement, hypertension and disorders of water, electrolyte and acid-base balance. They are responsible for renal replacement therapy with intermittent and continuous haemodialysis, haemofiltration, haemodiafiltration and peritoneal dialysis. Their spectrum includes dialysis access, kidney biopsies and extracorporeal procedures such as lipid apheresis, plasmapheresis and immunoadsorption. They use ultrasound to examine kidneys, transplant kidneys and vessels including dialysis shunts. Care around kidney transplantation and nutritional counselling are also part of the field.