GLOSSARY

Acute kidney injury:  Previously called acute renal failure, acute kidney injury is a rapid loss of kidney function.  Its causes are numerous and can include low blood pressure, exposure to toxins, and prostate enlargement obstructing the flow of urine.

Anemia Management:  Anemia is a condition in which your blood has a lower than normal number of red blood cells.  Red blood cells contain the oxygen carrying protein hemoglobin.  Hemoglobin is an iron-rich protein that gives blood its red color.  This protein helps red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.  Common symptoms of anemia include tiredness, shortness of breath, and feeling cold.

CKD - Chronic Kidney Disease:  Kidney damage or a decrease in kidney function that lasts three months or more.

Diabetes:   is a group of metabolic diseases in which a person has high blood sugar, either because the body does not produce enough insulin, or because cells do not respond to the insulin that is produced. This high blood sugar produces the classical symptoms of polyuria (frequent urination), polydipsia (increased thirst) and polyphagia (increased hunger). Diabetes is a leading cause of kidney disease.

Dialysis:  Dialysis is a treatment for kidney failure.  It helps remove waste products and fluid that build up in your body when the kidneys stop working.  There are 2 types of dialysis, hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. 

End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD):  When the kidneys stop working well enough for you to live without dialysis or a transplant.

Hematuria:  The presence of red blood cells in the urine.

Hypertension:  Hypertension (HTN) or high blood pressure is a chronic medical condition in which the blood pressure is elevated. It is classified as either primary (essential) or secondary. About 90-95% of cases are termed "primary hypertension", which refers to high blood pressure for which no medical cause can be found.  The remaining 5-10% of cases (Secondary hypertension) are caused by other conditions that affect the kidneys, arteries, heart, or endocrine system. Persistent hypertension is a leading cause of chronic kidney failure.

Nephrology:  A medical specialty concerned with the kidneys and especially with their structure, functions, or diseases.

Proteinuria:  The presence of an excess of serum proteins in the urine.

Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD):  A hereditary disorder of the kidneys. PKD is characterized by the presence of multiple cysts (hence, "polycystic") in both kidneys. The cysts are numerous and are fluid-filled resulting in massive enlargement of the kidneys.  PKD may be associated with cysts in the liver and pancreas.  It can sometimes be associated with brain aneurisms.  (More Information).