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THE BEAN:
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 Urology vs. NephrologyBy: Kayla Holmes
Nephrology and Urology work hand in hand to treat the kidneys and urological system. There is often overlap in what organs and systems are involved in these specialities. So what’s the difference? How do I know which I need to see? Read below to learn more about how these two specialties come together to create a dynamic duo for kidney health. Urology According to the Urological Care Foundation, “Urology is a part of health care that deals with diseases of the male and female urinary tract (kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra). It also deals with the male [reproductive] organs... Since health problems in these body parts can happen to everyone, urologic health is important.” Common conditions that urologists treat are:
Nephrology Nephrology is a branch of medicine that treats the kidneys. This can include the treatment of kidney diseases, monitoring kidney function, maintaining kidney health, and beginning renal replacement therapies. Common conditions that nephrologists treat are:
How do they work together? Urology and nephrology each treat different sides of the same coin. Kidney stones are a great example of how these two specialties work together. Nephrology will treat the prevention of stones through assessing lab work and imaging studies and suggesting changes to the diet or medication regimen. Urology will perform the necessary procedures to remove the stones if/when they become an issue. Who do I need to see? If you are experiencing frequent urinary tract infections, kidney stones, kidney cysts, or other conditions that involve the urinary and renal systems, urology is usually your best option. However, if you feel you need to see a nephrologist and are concerned about your kidney function, we are more than happy to see you and evaluate your needs. Munjal’s Musings: Urologists are the surgeons who deal with the hardware, removing the bad parts and making repairs. Nephrologists are medical doctors that will handle the software, making sure the kidneys are filtering and functioning properly. Resources: https://www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/what-is-urology Comments are closed.
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