Kids Research Express

Nephrology (from Greek: nephros, "kidney"; and λόγος, logos, "speech" lit. "to talk about kidney") is a branch of internal medicine and pediatrics dealing with the study of the function and diseases of the kidney. Nephrology concerns itself with the diagnosis and treatment of kidney diseases, including electrolyte disturbances and hypertension, and the care of those requiring renal replacement therapy, including dialysis and renal transplant patients. Many diseases affecting the kidney are systemic disorders not limited to the organ itself, and may require special treatment. Examples include systemic vasculitides and autoimmune diseases such as lupus.

Rheumatology is a sub-specialty in internal medicine and pediatrics, devoted to the diagnosis and therapy of rheumatic diseases. Rheumatologists mainly deal with clinical problems involving joints, soft tissues and allied conditions of connective tissues. The term rheumatology originates from the Greek word rheuma, meaning "that which flows as a river or stream" and the suffix -ology, meaning "the study of." Rheumatology is a rapidly evolving medical specialty; new scientific discoveries related to this specialty are largely related to better understanding of immunology of these disorders. Pathogenesis of major rheumatological disorders is now described as autoimmune disorders. Immunology explains pathogenesis and the characteristics of rheumatological disorders, and most of the new treatment modalities are based on immunology, better understanding of genetic basis of rheumatological disorders makes rheumatology a specialty rapidly developing as a medical specialty

Medicine (Latin medicus, “physician”), the science and art of diagnosing, treating, and preventing disease and injury. Its goals are to help people live longer, happier, more active lives with less suffering and disability. Medicine goes beyond the bedside of patients. Medical scientists engage in a constant search for new drugs, effective treatments, and more advanced technology. In addition, medicine is a business. It is part of the health care industry, one of the largest industries in the United States, and among the leading employers in most communities. Disease has been one of humanity's greatest enemies. Only during the last 100 years has medicine developed weapons to fight disease effectively. Vaccines, better drugs and surgical procedures, new instruments, and understanding of sanitation and nutrition have had a huge impact on human well-being. Like detectives, physicians and other health care professionals use clues to identify, or diagnose, a specific disease or injury.

Oncology is the branch of medicine that studies tumors ( cancer ) and seeks to understand their development, diagnosis , treatment, and prevention. A medical professional who practices oncology is an oncologist. The term originates from the Greek onkos (ογκος), meaning bulk, mass, or tumor and the suffix -ology, meaning "study of". The oncologist often coordinates the multidisciplinary care of cancer patients, which may involve physiotherapy, counselling, clinical genetics, to name but a few. On the other hand, the oncologist often has to liaise with pathologists on the exact biological nature of the tumor that is being treated. Oncology is concerned with: The diagnosis of cancer Therapy (e.g., surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and other modalities) Follow-up of cancer patients after successful treatment Palliative care of patients with terminal malignancies Ethical questions surrounding cancer care Screening efforts: of populations, or of the relatives of patients (in typ

Obstetrics, branch of medicine that specializes in caring for women during pregnancy, labor, and immediately following childbirth. The term derives from the Latin obstare, meaning to stand by, or opstare, meaning to render aid, and obstetrix, meaning the woman who stands by. Until the early 18th century, childbirth assistants were usually midwives, women who provide care to other women during pregnancy and childbirth. During the 19th century, obstetrics evolved as a medical specialty. Physicians who specialize in obstetrics are called obstetricians. Obstetricians are commonly also certified in gynecology , to provide care for a wide range of problems involving the reproductive system. Obstetricians with special training in high-risk pregnancy are referred to as maternal-fetal medicine specialists or perinatologists. Many physicians in family practice include obstetrics and some gynecologic surgery in their practices. In addition, midwifery is practiced in many parts of the United Stat

Cardiology is the branch of internal medicine dealing with disorders of the heart and blood vessels. The field is commonly divided in the branches of congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular heart disease and electrophysiology. Physicians specializing in this field of medicine are called cardiologists. Cardiologists should not be confused with cardiac surgeons who are surgeons who perform cardiac surgery - operative procedures on the heart and great vessels.

Hematology, medical specialty concerned with the study of blood and blood-forming tissues. Physicians in this field are known as hematologists. They study, diagnose, and treat blood disorders such as leukemia , anemia , and hemophilia , as well as diseases of the organs that produce blood, including the lymph nodes, bone marrow, and spleen. Hematologists use laboratory-based blood tests to diagnose a variety of disorders. Of particular importance are blood tests that provide information about the cellular components of a patient's blood. The most common test, called a complete blood count (CBC), indicates the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in a given unit of blood. Hematologists also examine blood samples under a microscope to identify abnormal blood cells and diagnose blood diseases. In addition to testing for blood diseases, hematologists may also be called on to diagnose other types of disorders, such as hepatitis C, a chronic liver disease that is