By Ivor Morrison

Nephrology is a specialized branch of internal medicine that deals with the physiology, diagnosis, and treatment of kidney-related diseases. Kidneys are bean-shaped organs located on either side in the retroperitoneal space and are a part of the urinary system. They are responsible for filtering blood and removing the waste products, excess water and electrolytes from the body. Some of the various conditions and diseases that can affect the kidneys include kidney/bladder cancer, excess excretion of protein in urine, glomerular diseases, kidney/bladder stones, acute or chronic kidney failure, and nephritis. A few symptoms that are associated with kidney diseases include swelling in the legs and feet, unexplained blood pressure changes, gradual loss of sense of taste and appetite, problem sleeping at night, and reduced urine output. Apart from medications, advanced treatments available for kidney diseases include continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), plasmapheresis, liver dialysis (MARS therapy), peritoneal dialysis (CPD), kidney biopsy, and kidney transplant. In this book, using case studies, constant effort has been made to make the understanding of the difficult concepts of nephrology as easy and informative as possible, for the readers. It will provide comprehensive knowledge to the readers.