Urology

Kidney Disease

Nephrology is the medical specialty concerned with the kidneys.Picture of elderly couple, smiling


According to the National Kidney Foundation, kidney disease affects more than 20 million people. More than 70,000 Americans die each year from kidney failure. The number of people affected by these diseases is expected to grow as the populations of older adults and racial and ethnic minorities, groups disproportionately affected by the diseases, increase.Picture of an elderly man, smiling


The most serious and debilitating of kidney diseases include the following:
• end-stage renal disease (ESRD)
• kidney stone disease
• urinary tract infection
• polycystic kidney disease

 

This Web module is intended to provide an overview of several of these diseases. Other, non-related diseases also have a tremendous impact on the disability and death associated with kidney diseases, including diabetes and hypertension