Conditions
Specialist assessment, diagnosis, and ongoing management across kidney, cardiovascular, and general internal medicine. Explore the conditions Dr McQuillan treats, each by GP referral.
- Read more
Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)
Acute kidney injury is a sudden drop in kidney function over hours or days. Unlike chronic kidney disease, which develops slowly, AKI can develop rapidly and is often reversible if recognised and treated promptly. Most cases occur in patients who are already unwell from another condition, but it can also happen in otherwise healthy people. Specialist input matters because early identification of the cause, rapid treatment, and careful follow-up can mean the difference between full recovery and lasting kidney damage.
- Read more
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
Chronic kidney disease is a long-term condition where the kidneys do not work as well as they should. It is more common than most people realise. In Ireland, around one in ten adults has some degree of CKD, and many are unaware of it because the early stages cause few symptoms. Specialist care matters because the right treatment, started at the right stage, can slow progression dramatically, prevent complications, and protect quality of life for decades.
- Read more
Diabetes and Diabetic Kidney Disease
Diabetes is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease in Ireland and worldwide. Around one in three patients with diabetes will develop some degree of kidney involvement during their lifetime. The encouraging news is that with the right treatment, started at the right time, the rate of decline can be slowed substantially and many patients never develop advanced disease.
- Read more
Electrolyte Disorders
Electrolytes are minerals that carry an electrical charge and regulate fluid balance, nerve and muscle function, and the body's acid-base balance. When they fall outside the normal range, the consequences can be mild or life-threatening. Electrolyte disorders are among the most common reasons for specialist nephrology referral and one of the areas where specialist input most directly improves outcomes.
- Read more
Glomerulonephritis
Glomerulonephritis is a group of conditions in which the kidney's filtering units (glomeruli) become inflamed. The inflammation can be mild and self-limiting, or it can be aggressive and rapidly damaging. Specialist input is important from the outset because the right diagnosis determines the right treatment, and the right treatment can mean the difference between full recovery and progressive kidney damage.
- Read more
Haematuria (Blood in Urine)
Blood in the urine is always a finding that deserves a proper explanation. Sometimes the cause is harmless. Sometimes it is the first sign of a treatable condition that should not be missed. Either way, structured investigation is the right response. Trying to brush it off or assume it is nothing can lead to delayed diagnosis of serious conditions.
- Read more
Heart Failure and Cardiorenal Syndrome
Heart failure and kidney disease often travel together. When one organ struggles, the other is placed under strain, and managing them in isolation rarely works. Cardiorenal syndrome is the term for this combination. It is increasingly common in an ageing population and demands a coordinated approach.
- Read more
Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
High blood pressure is the single largest preventable cause of cardiovascular disease in Ireland. For most patients, blood pressure can be controlled in primary care with lifestyle measures and medication. A minority have hypertension that is hard to control, develops at a young age, comes with target organ damage, or has an identifiable underlying cause. These are the patients who benefit most from specialist input.
- Read more
Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are one of the most common reasons for emergency hospital visits in Ireland. They can cause severe pain, infection, and lasting kidney damage if not managed properly. For most patients, the first concern is dealing with the acute episode. The bigger long-term concern is preventing the next stone. Up to half of patients who pass one stone will have another within five years if no preventive plan is in place.
- Read more
Polycystic Kidney Disease and Kidney Cysts
Polycystic kidney disease is the most common inherited cause of kidney failure. It causes fluid-filled cysts to develop in the kidneys, which gradually enlarge over time and reduce kidney function. Simple cysts, by contrast, are extremely common and almost always harmless. Distinguishing between the two, and providing the right care for genuine PKD, is a specialist task.
- Read more
Proteinuria (Protein in Urine)
Protein in the urine is one of the most important early markers of kidney disease. Healthy kidneys allow only tiny amounts of protein to pass into the urine. When the filtering apparatus is damaged, larger amounts leak through. Persistent proteinuria is not a disease in itself, but it is a strong signal that something needs investigating.
- Read more
Syncope, Collapse, Falls and TIA
Unexplained loss of consciousness, falls, and transient neurological symptoms are common and often distressing. They span cardiac, neurological, and metabolic causes, and a thorough assessment from a general physician is often the most efficient route to a diagnosis. Dr Rory McQuillan provides specialist evaluation drawing on his dual training as both a nephrologist and a consultant in general internal medicine.
Have a Question?
If you’d like more information about Dr. McQuillan’s services or need assistance from the practice team, please get in touch below.
Please note: Appointments are arranged via GP referral.