Editing Nephrology (section)

==Scope==
{{Infobox medical speciality
| title        = Nephrology
| subdivisions =
| image        = [[File:KidneyStructures PioM.svg|250px]]
| caption      = A human kidney (click on image for description).
| system       = [[Urinary system|Urinary]]
| diseases     = [[Hypertension]], [[Kidney cancer]]
| tests        = [[Renal biopsy|Kidney biopsy]], [[Urinalysis]]
| specialist   = Nephrologist
| glossary     = [[Glossary of medicine]]
}}
Nephrology concerns the diagnosis and treatment of kidney diseases, including [[electrolyte disturbance]]s and [[hypertension]], and the care of those requiring [[renal replacement therapy]], including [[Kidney dialysis|dialysis]] and [[renal transplant]] patients.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nephrology Specialty Description|publisher=American Medical Association|url=https://www.ama-assn.org/specialty/nephrology-specialty-description}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Nephrology|date=15 May 2020 |publisher=American College of Physicians|url=https://www.acponline.org/about-acp/about-internal-medicine/subspecialties/nephrology|access-date=2020-11-01|archive-date=2020-10-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024125115/https://www.acponline.org/about-acp/about-internal-medicine/subspecialties/nephrology|url-status=live}}</ref>

The word ''dialysis'' is from the mid-19th century: via Latin from the Greek word ''dialusis''; from ''dialuein'' (split, separate), from ''dia'' (apart) and ''luein'' (set free). In other words, dialysis replaces the primary (excretory) function of the kidney, which separates (and removes) excess toxins and water from the blood, placing them in the urine.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-10-19 |title=Dialysis |url=https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dialysis/what-happens/ |access-date=2022-09-14 |website=nhs.uk |language=en |archive-date=2022-09-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220914045351/https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dialysis/what-happens/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Many diseases affecting the kidney are systemic disorders not limited to the organ itself, and may require special treatment. Examples include acquired conditions such as systemic vasculitides (e.g. ANCA vasculitis) and [[autoimmune diseases]] (e.g. [[Lupus erythematosus|lupus]]), as well as [[Congenital nephrotic syndrome|congenital]] or genetic conditions such as [[polycystic kidney disease]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-11-17 |title=Kidney failure (ESRD) - Symptoms, causes and treatment options {{!}} American Kidney Fund |url=https://www.kidneyfund.org/all-about-kidneys/kidney-failure-symptoms-and-causes |access-date=2022-09-14 |website=www.kidneyfund.org |language=en |archive-date=2022-09-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220914045400/https://www.kidneyfund.org/all-about-kidneys/kidney-failure-symptoms-and-causes |url-status=live }}</ref>

Patients are referred to nephrology specialists after a urinalysis, for various reasons, such as [[acute kidney injury]], [[chronic kidney disease]], [[hematuria]], [[proteinuria]], [[kidney stone]]s, [[hypertension]], and disorders of acid/base or [[electrolyte]]s.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-09-15 |title=5 Reasons Why You May be Referred to a Nephrologist - Durham Nephrology Associates, PA |url=https://www.durhamnephrology.com/5-reasons-why-you-may-be-referred-to-a-nephrologist/ |access-date=2022-09-13 |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-09-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220914045350/https://www.durhamnephrology.com/5-reasons-why-you-may-be-referred-to-a-nephrologist/ |url-status=live }}</ref>