E

Edema:

Swelling caused by too much fluid in the body.

Electrolytes:

Chemicals in the body fluids that result from the breakdown of salts, including sodium, potassium, magnesium, and chloride. The kidneys control the amount of electrolytes in the body. When the kidneys fail, electrolytes get out of balance, causing potentially serious health problems. Dialysis can correct this problem.

End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD):

Total chronic kidney failure. When the kidneys fail, the body retains fluid and harmful wastes build up. A person with ESRD needs treatment to replace the work of the failed kidneys.

Erythropoietin:

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

Exchange:

A cycle in peritoneal dialysis in which the patient fills the abdominal cavity with dialysate, carries it for a specified dwell time, and then empties the dialysate from the abdomen in preparation for a fresh bag of dialysate.

G

Graft:

A transplanted organ or tissue

H

Harvest:

The act of surgically removing an organ or tissue for transplantation; now referred to as "recover" rather than "harvest"

Hematocrit:

A measure that tells how many red blood cells are present in a blood sample. Low hematocrit suggests anemia or massive blood loss.

Hematuria:

Blood in the urine, which can be a sign of a kidney stone, glomerulonephritis, or other kidney problem.

Hormone:

A natural chemical produced in one part of the body and released into the blood to trigger or regulate particular functions of the body. The kidney releases three hormones: erythropoietin, renin, and an active form of vitamin D that helps regulate calcium for bones.

Hypertension:

High blood pressure, which can be caused either by too much fluid in the blood vessels or by narrowing of the blood vessels.

I

Immune system:

The body's system for protecting itself from viruses and bacteria or any "foreign" substances.

Immunosuppressant:

A drug given to suppress the natural responses of the body's immune system. Immunosuppressants are given to transplant patients to prevent organ rejection and to patients with autoimmune diseases like lupus.

K

Kidneys:

The two bean-shaped organs that filter wastes from the blood. The kidneys are located near the middle of the back. They create urine, which is delivered to the bladder through tubes called ureters.

Kidney stone:

A stone that develops from crystals that form in urine and build up on the inner surfaces of the kidney, in the renal pelvis, or in the ureters.

Kt/V:

A measurement of dialysis dose. The measurement takes into account the efficiency of the dialyzer, the treatment time, and the total volume of urea in the body. See also URR.

L

Living-related donor (LDR):

A family member who donates a kidney, part of a lung, liver, or pancreas to another family member. Example: a brother and a sister, or a parent and a child.

Living-unrelated donor:

A person who is not related by blood, who donates a kidney, part of a lung, liver, or pancreas to another person (such as a husband and wife).

M

Match:

The compatibility between the donor and the recipient. The more closely they match, the greater the chance that the transplant will be successful.

N

Nephrectomy:

Surgical removal of a kidney.

Nephrologist:

A doctor who treats patients with kidney problems or hypertension.

Nephron:

A tiny part of the kidneys. Each kidney is made up of about 1 million nephrons, which are the working units of the kidneys, removing wastes and extra fluids from the blood.

Nephrotic Syndrome:

A collection of symptoms that indicate kidney damage. Symptoms include high levels of protein in the urine, lack of protein in the blood, and high blood cholesterol.

Nuclear Scan: 

A test of the structure, blood flow, and function of the kidneys. The doctor injects a mildly radioactive solution into an arm vein and uses x-rays to monitor its progress through the kidneys.