Nephrologist

Weak bones caused by poorly working kidneys. Renal osteodystrophy is a common problem for people on dialysis who have high phosphate levels or insufficient vitamin D supplementation.

Liquid waste product filtered from the blood by the kidneys, stored in the bladder, and expelled from the body through the urethra by the act of voiding or urinating.

Kidney disease that results from diabetes is the number one cause of kidney failure; almost a third of people with diabetes develop diabetic nephropathy because of other long-standing medical conditions that contribute to kidney disease.

More than normal amounts of a protein called albumin in the urine. Albuminuria may be a sign of kidney disease.

A procedure in which a tiny piece of a body part, such as the kidney or bladder, is removed for examination under a microscope.

A condition in which urine contains high levels of the amino acid cystine. If cystine does not dissolve in the urine, it can build up to form kidney stones.

A person who offers blood, tissue, or an organ for transplantation. (See transplant.) In kidney transplantation, the donor may be someone who has just died or someone who is still alive, usually a relative.

A hormone made by the kidneys to help form red blood cells. Lack of this hormone may lead to anemia.

An abnormal condition in which urine backs up into the ureters, and occasionally into the kidneys, raising the risk of infection.

Poor function of the kidneys that may be due to a reduction in blood-flow to the kidneys caused by renal artery disease.

Loss of kidney function that results from long-term use of analgesic (pain-relieving) medications. Analgesics that combine aspirin and acetaminophen are most dangerous to the kidneys.

A part of the hemodialysis machine. (See dialysis.) The dialyzer has two sections separated by a membrane. One section holds dialysis solution. The other holds the patient’s blood.

Scarring of the glomeruli. It may result from diabetes mellitus (diabetic glomerulosclerosis) or from deposits in parts of the glomeruli (focal segmental glomerulosclerosis). The most common signs of glomerulosclerosis are proteinuria and kidney failure.

Using nutrition to help control chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease or kidney disease. MNT usually means working with a dietician to make health changes to your diet.

A defect in the kidneys that hinders their normal excretion of acids. Failure to excrete acids can lead to weak bones, kidney stones, and poor growth in children.

A test of a urine sample that can reveal many problems of the urinary system and other body systems. The sample may be observed for color, cloudiness, and concentration; signs of drug use; chemical composition, including sugar; the presence of protein, blood cells, or germs; or other signs of disease.

Also referred to as high blood pressure, a condition in which the arteries have persistently elevated blood pressure which can lead to damaged organs, as well as several illnesses, such as renal failure (kidney failure), aneurysm, heart failure, stroke, or heart attack.

An inherited condition that results in kidney disease. It generally develops during early childhood and is more serious in boys than in girls. The condition can lead to end-stage renal disease, as well as hearing and vision problems. The common symptoms of this condition are chronic blood and protein in the urine.

A waste product in the blood that comes from the breakdown of food protein. The kidneys filter blood to remove urea. As kidney function decreases, the BUN level increases.

A condition characterized by frequent and heavy urination, excessive thirst, and an overall feeling of weakness. This condition may be caused by a defect in the pituitary gland or in the kidney. In diabetes insipidus, blood glucose levels are normal. (See also nephrogenic diabetes insipidus.)