Nephrology is a specialized branch of medicine that focuses on the prevention, diagnosis, management, and treatment of various diseases related to the kidneys.
The kidneys remove waste by filtering blood, regulating blood pressure, and maintaining electrolyte and fluid balance.
Nephrology doctors are experts in diagnosing and managing various kidney-related disorders, such as acute kidney injury, nephrotic syndrome, chronic kidney disease, glomerulonephritis, and electrolyte disturbances. They also provide comprehensive care to patients undergoing dialysis or on the waitlist for kidney transplantation.
Hypertension and diabetes are the leading contributors to chronic kidney disease, and they are becoming increasingly prevalent.
It is important to detect and manage health conditions that may serve as a contributing factor for the development of kidney disease to prevent or delay its progression and minimize the risk of various kidney-related complications.
Some of the tests to diagnose kidney diseases are:
Blood tests are important for evaluating the functioning of the kidneys. These tests also help diagnose underlying kidney diseases. Some of the blood tests that help diagnose and monitor chronic kidney diseases are blood urea nitrogen, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and serum creatinine.
Blood tests also provide important information about electrolyte levels, metabolic imbalances, and anemia. The blood tests also assist the nephrologists in guiding treatment decisions.
Various urinary tests play an important role in diagnosing, monitoring, and managing kidney diseases. These tests include the albumin-to-creatinine ratio and complete urinary analysis, which allow nephrologists to detect the signs of kidney dysfunction or damage at an early stage.
These tests provide detailed information about hematuria (blood in the urine), proteinuria (excessive proteins in the urine), and other abnormalities. The urinary and blood tests help the nephrologists monitor treatment response, evaluate disease severity, optimize treatment, and improve overall patient outcomes.
It is a procedure that involves taking a tissue sample from the kidney and evaluating it under a microscope. This test allows nephrologists to make definitive diagnoses of various kidney diseases, which may be tubular, glomerular, or interstitial.
Kidney biopsy also provides detailed information related to disease severity and helps predict prognosis. After analyzing the results of the kidney biopsy, nephrologists optimize the treatment strategy. Some of the kidney diseases diagnosed through kidney biopsy include lupus nephritis, glomerulonephritis, and renal cancer.
Genetic testing is gradually becoming prominent in detecting and diagnosing kidney diseases. It helps nephrologists diagnose inherited kidney diseases, such as Alport syndrome, polycystic kidney disease, and congenital nephrotic syndrome.
Genetic testing identifies specific genetic mutations, assisting nephrologists in diagnosing the disease early and assessing the risk. Genetic testing also helps in developing personalized treatment plans.
Based on genetic testing results, nephrologists may counsel patients and their family members regarding long-term care and/or renal transplantation. Genetic testing improves understanding of the mechanism and management of various complex and unexplained kidney disorders.
Imaging tests are important in nephrology for evaluating kidney structure and abnormalities. Some imaging tests include renal ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography scans.
These tests assist nephrologists in diagnosing various kidney-related diseases, such as cysts, obstructions, stones, tumors, and congenital abnormalities. Other imaging studies, such as color Doppler, help assess renal blood flow.
All the tests related to the kidneys, such as clinical evaluation, blood test, urine test, kidney biopsy, genetic testing, and imaging, complement each other for definitive diagnosis, monitoring disease progression, and developing optimal treatment plans to improve the overall outcome of renal diseases.
Choosing the best kidney hospital in India and finding the right nephrologist for your case are crucial for you to receive the best quality care and support.
HCG offers all major oncology services under one roof. It also offers nephrology services so that the patients don’t have to go to different hospitals to receive comprehensive care for their condition
The key clinical nephrology services offered by HCG include:
Commonly recommended treatments for kidney diseases include:
HCG, known as a leading hospital for comprehensive cancer treatment in India, provides comprehensive, customized nephrology care to patients with various kidney disorders. The nephrology team at the hospital comprises experienced nephrologists, dietitians, and nurses.
The hospital is equipped to deliver comprehensive nephrology solutions for a wide range of kidney conditions. The expert team at HCG focuses on early detection, simple and complex renal disease management, and comprehensive care for patients with kidney diseases.