Nephrology

Nephrology deals with the physiology and diseases of the kidneys and hypertension, or high blood pressure. Hypertension is a dangerous medical condition that can cause significant repercussions. Blood pressure means the force with which blood pushes against blood vessel walls as the heart pumps blood. High blood pressure is an increase in the force of this pressure. Various factors can lead to high blood pressure.

How does hypertension affect kidney function? Your kidneys are a set of two fist-sized organs found below your rib cage on either side of the spine. These organs filter blood and produce urine. Urine is then moved from the kidneys to the bladder through the ureters.

High blood pressure can affect blood vessels in the kidneys over time, impairing their function. In fact, hypertension is the second highest cause of kidney failure among patients in the United States. High blood flow pressure causes the blood vessels to distend, which can lead to scarring and weakening of the blood vessels over time. This can impair the kidneys’ ability to take waste and excess fluid out of the body. As a result, this can create a vicious cycle, where excess fluid causes blood pressure to raise even higher.