Glossary

The branch of medicine dealing with the study of kidney diseases and disorders

A physician trained in the management of kidney diseases and disorders including renal replacement therapies such as hemodialysis. Physicians are certified in internal medicine followed by completing their residency in Nephrology

Renal replacement therapy which involves the removal of waste from the patient’s blood supply

The process of removing waste from the patient’s blood supply using ultra filtration through a dialysis machine

The process of removing waste from the patient’s blood supply by utilizing the patient’s peritoneum (located in the abdomen) as a membrane

Dialysis treatment given to a patient while they sleep utilizing the ultrafiltration method

The loss of kidney function over an extended period of time

• CKD Stage 1 - Slightly diminished function
• CKD Stage 2 - Mild reduction in function
• CKD Stage 3 - Moderate reduction in function
• CKD Stage 4 - Severe reduction in function
• CKD stage 5 - Kidney failure

The complete or almost complete loss of kidney function which requires renal replacement therapy

A process by which a patient with end stage renal disease receives a kidney from a donor

The use of sound waves to see images of the kidneys to look for abnormalities such as tumors, cysts, etc.

The sampling of kidney tissue