Nephrology
What are the signs that may indicate kidney disease?
- Changes in urine
- Swelling or fluid retention, especially in the legs or around the eyes in the morning
- Constant fatigue or weakness
- Diabetes or high blood pressure
- Worsening high blood pressure
- History of kidney stones
- Family history
- Pain in the back or lower back
Private Nephrology Practice in Budapest!
Nephrology is a specialized field of internal medicine that deals with kidney function and the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of kidney diseases.
What are the most important functions of the kidneys?
- Excretion of waste products formed during metabolic processes in urine
- Regulation of fluid and electrolyte balance in the body
- Participation in blood pressure regulation
- Maintenance of blood acid-base balance
- Producing the active form of vitamin D and regulating calcium and phosphate metabolism
- Producing a hormone called erythropoietin, which is necessary for blood formation
Healthy kidney function is essential for maintaining a stable internal environment and overall well-being.
When should you see a nephrologist?
A complaint or symptom can be characteristic of many different diseases—e.g., ankle edema can occur in heart disease, varicose veins, kidney disease, and a few other rare diseases—so it is advisable to start with a general medical examination for most complaints.
It is worth consulting a nephrologist if you notice any complaints or symptoms that could be caused by kidney disease and the initial medical examination reveals abnormal urine or kidney function results. If you already have kidney disease, nephrological care is essential. What are the signs that may indicate kidney disease?
- Changes in urine: If you notice changes in the color, amount, or smell of your urine, such as foamy urine, reddish-brown urine, painful urination, or frequent urge to urinate, especially at night.
- Swelling or fluid retention, especially in the legs or around the eyes in the morning: One reason for this may be that the kidneys are unable to remove excess fluid properly, which can lead to edema.
- Constant fatigue or weakness: If you feel constantly exhausted and normal rest does not help. This can be a symptom of many diseases, one of which is advanced chronic kidney disease.
- Diabetes or high blood pressure: If these diseases are not properly controlled, they can lead to chronic kidney disease in the long term, so it is important to have your kidney function checked regularly if you have these diseases.
- Worsening high blood pressure: In all newly diagnosed cases of high blood pressure, it is mandatory to check the first morning urine and kidney function, because in every 10–12 cases, kidney disease may be the underlying cause. If your already treated high blood pressure starts to worsen and does not respond well to standard treatments, kidney problems may also be the underlying cause.
- Kidney stones: If you have already had kidney stones, it is worth having regular check-ups to prevent new stones from forming.
- Family history: If there is a history of kidney disease in your family, it is advisable to have a screening test at least once a year.
- Pain in the back or lower back: If you experience pain in the kidney area or lower back, especially if it is crampy or dull rather than sharp and stabbing, or if it is related to urination.
Causes and types of kidney disease
Kidney diseases can be primary or secondary. Primary diseases include inflammatory, immunological damage to the glomeruli or tubules, as well as pyelonephritis caused by urinary tract infections. Secondary kidney damage is often the result of comorbidities such as diabetes or high blood pressure, which cause narrowing of the renal arteries, damage to the glomeruli, and oxygen deficiency. Heart failure, infections, and environmental factors such as smoking, certain medications, contrast agents, drugs, or heavy metals can also damage the kidneys.
Our services – Private nephrology clinic in Budapest
Our nephrology clinic covers the following areas:
- Examination and care of chronic kidney disease: Laboratory tests, kidney ultrasound, blood pressure adjustment, lifestyle counseling.
- Early detection and treatment of chronic kidney disease progression: Early detection of reduced kidney function is crucial to maintaining the patient’s quality of life.
- Renal replacement therapy, pre-dialysis counseling: Detailed information about the various options (peritoneal dialysis, hemodialysis) before starting dialysis treatment.
- Suitability for kidney transplantation, placement on the waiting list: Organizing pre-transplant examinations, suitability tests, preparing expert opinions for placement on the waiting list.
- Outpatient care for transplant patients: Regular check-ups for patients who have undergone kidney transplantation, monitoring of medication, monitoring of conditions affecting the immune system.
- Monitoring of complications related to transplantation: Timely recognition and treatment of immunological reactions, infections, and rejection symptoms.
- Treatment of autoimmune and other immunological kidney diseases: Care and treatment of diseases requiring special therapy, such as lupus nephritis, IgA nephropathy, membranous glomerulonephritis, etc.
Nephrology primer: diseases, prevention
What are the most common nephrological diseases?
- Chronic kidney disease (CKD): A slowly developing condition associated with long-term decline in kidney function
- Acute kidney injury (AKI): Sudden onset of rapidly deteriorating kidney function
- Diabetic nephropathy: Kidney damage that develops as a complication of diabetes
- Hypertensive nephropathy: Kidney damage caused by high blood pressure
- Glomerulonephritis (inflammation of the glomeruli): Inflammatory disease of the renal glomeruli
- Nephrotic syndrome: A condition involving large amounts of protein loss
- Polycystic kidney disease (PKD): Hereditary kidney disease involving cysts
További információk
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a slowly developing condition in which the filtering function of the kidneys gradually declines. The disease may remain asymptomatic for a long time, so regular laboratory tests are necessary for early detection.
Causes of development:
- High blood pressure,
- Diabetes,
- Kidney tissue inflammation due to primary or immunological systemic disease
- Kidney stones, urinary tract obstructions,
- Hereditary kidney diseases.
What are the symptoms of chronic kidney disease?
- Fatigue, weakness
- Water retention (edema)
- High blood pressure
- Pale skin, anemia
- Difficulty concentrating, nausea in the late stages
Without treatment, chronic kidney disease can lead to end-stage renal failure, requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant. With early detection, the process can be slowed down and complications prevented!
The role of high blood pressure in kidney damage
High blood pressure and kidney failure exacerbate each other: persistently elevated blood pressure damages the small blood vessels in the kidneys, while deteriorating kidney function further raises blood pressure. Persistent blood pressure above 135/85 mmHg can damage the kidneys! The strain on the kidneys leads to gradual tissue destruction, which impairs the excretion of toxins. The kidneys also influence blood pressure by regulating salt and water balance, which is why even mild kidney damage puts strain on the cardiovascular system.
Diabetes and kidney damage
Type 2 diabetes, a very significant widespread disease, develops over many years, often without symptoms – it is often only recognized when it has already caused complications, such as kidney damage. Approximately 30% of diabetics develop some degree of kidney damage. Over a period of 10–20 years, persistently high blood sugar levels can cause proteinuria and then kidney failure. Type 2 diabetes is often accompanied by high blood pressure, elevated blood lipid levels, and abdominal obesity, which together accelerate atherosclerosis and kidney damage.
Specialist Price List
Nephrology specialist examination
44 000 HUF
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