Kidney Diseases: A Case-Based Approach

Book excerpt: Kidney disease or renal disease refers to a disease of the kidney characterized by a loss of kidney function to varying degrees. It can lead to kidney failure or the complete loss of kidney function, if unresolved. Nephritis, nephrosis, chronic kidney disease and acute kidney disease are common kidney diseases. They may be caused by a deposition of immunoglobulin A antibodies in the glomerulus, xanthine oxidase deficiency, long-term exposure to lead or its salts, and administration of analgesics. A review of medical history, urine test, physical examination and renal ultrasound are required to establish a diagnosis of a kidney disease. Mostly, the management of kidney disease requires dialysis or a kidney transplant. This usually happens when the disease is at its end stage. The objective of this book is to give a general view of the different kinds of kidney diseases, and their diagnosis and treatment. The various studies that are constantly contributing towards advancing technologies and evolution of nephrology are examined in detail. In this book, using case studies and examples, constant effort has been made to make the understanding of the difficult concepts as easy and informative as possible, for the readers.