kidney

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abdomen
The lower part of the trunk, below the chest. Commonly called the tummy or belly.
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access
A method of gaining entry to the bloodstreamto allow dialysis. Access methods used for haemodialysis include a catheter, fistula or graft. The term is also used in peritoneal dialysis, referring to the catheter (tube) entering the tummy.
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acute
A word meaning short-term and of rapid onset, usually requiring a rapid response.
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adequacy
A term that refers to how well dialysis is working. To measure adequacy, tests are carried out to see if enough fluid and waste products are being removed from the blood.
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albumin
A type of protein that occurs in the blood.
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altruistic donor.
A kidney donor who gives a kidney for no material reward. This may be a family member, but may also include a living donor who gives a transplant to someone they have never met.
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alkali
A substance that is the chemical opposite of an acid.
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alphacalcidol
A vitamin D supplement.
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amino acids
Substances from which proteins are built up.
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anaemia
A shortage of red blood cells in the body, causing tiredness, shortage of breath and pale skin. One of the functions of the kidneys is to make EPO (erythropoeitin), which stimulates the bone marrow to make blood cells. In kidney failure, EPO is not m
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angioplasty
. The use of a balloon to stretch up the narrowing in a blood vessel during an arteriogram.
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ankle oedema
An abnormal build-up of fluid under the skin around the ankles. It is an early sign of fluid overload.
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antibiotic drugs
A group of drugs used to treat infections caused by bacteria.
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antibodies
Substances that normally help the body to fight infection. They are made by white blood cells. After a transplant, antibodies can attack the new kidney and cause rejection. Antibodies are also causes of kidney disease such as glomerulonephritis. Diso
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antigen
A substance, usually a protein, that is recognised by the immune system (the body's natural defence system). The body is programmed not to react to antigens from its own cells, but should react vigorously to antigens from bacteria and other invaders.
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anti-inflammatory
Reduces inflammation.
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APD
Abbreviation for automated peritoneal dialysis. A form of peritoneal dialysis that uses a machine to drain the dialysis fluid out of the patient and replace it with fresh solution. APD is usually carried out overnight whilst the patient sleeps. Also
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arteries
Blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to the rest of the body.
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arteriogram
A type of X-ray that uses a special dye to show the blood vessels. The dye is put into the blood vessels via a tube that is inserted into the groin and passed up to the kidneys.
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artificial kidney
Another name for the dialyser or filtering unit of a dialysis machine.
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ATG
Abbreviation for anti-thymocyte globulin, a strong treatment against the rejection of a transplant kidney.
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atheroma
Deposits of cholesterol and other fats that cause furring and narrowing of the arteries (also called atherosclerosis).
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azathioprine
An immuno-suppressant drug used to prevent the rejection of a transplant kidney.
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bacteria
A type of germ. Bacteria are microscopically tiny, single-celled organisms capable of independent life. Most are harmless, but some cause disease.
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beta-blockers
Tablets that slow down the heart rate and lower blood pressure. Examples are atenolol, metoprolol and propranolol.
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bicarbonate
A substance that is normally present in the blood which is measured in the biochemistry blood test. A low blood level of bicarbonate shows there is too much acid in the blood.
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biochemistry blood test
A test that measures the blood levels of various different substances. Substances measured in people with kidney failure usually include sodium, potassium, glucose, urea, creatinine, bicarbonate, calcium, phosphate and albumin.
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biopsy
A test involving the removal of a small piece of an organ or other body tissue and its examination under a microscope.
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BK
virus - not an abbreviation, just the name of a virus that can cause problems after transplantation
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blood cells
The microscopically tiny units that form the solid part of the blood. There are three main types: red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.
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blood group
An inherited characteristic of red blood cells. The common classification is based on whether or not a person has certain antigens (called A and B) on their cells. People belong to one of four blood groups, called A, B, AB and O.
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blood level
A measurement of the amount of a particular substance in the blood, sometimes expressed in mmol/l (millimoles per litre) or µmol/l (micromoles per litre) of blood
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blood pressure
The pressure that the blood exerts against the walls of the arteries as it flows through them. Blood pressure measurements consist of two numbers. The first shows the systolic blood pressure, the second, the diastolic blood pressure. One of the funct
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blood vessels
The tubes that carry blood around the body. The main blood vessels are the arteries and veins.
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bone marrow
The ‘runny’ part in the middle of some bones, where blood cells are made.
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BP
Abbreviation for blood pressure.
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brain death
A term indicating that the entire brain has permanently stopped working, and that further life is possible only on a life-support machine. A person must be diagnosed brain dead before their organs can be removed for a cadaveric transplant.
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Bright's disease
A term indicating that the entire brain has permanently stopped working, and that further life is possible only on a life-support machine. A person must be diagnosed brain dead before their organs can be removed for a cadaveric transplant.
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Bright's disease
A name for glomerulonephritis. This term was used in the past before the different types of glomerulonephritis were given their own names.
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cadaveric transplant
A transplant kidney removed from someone who has died.
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calcimimetic
A type of drug which is recognised by the body as if it is calcium (i.e. 'mimics' the effect of calcium). May be used to help lower the blood level of calcium in people with kidney failure and problems with calcium levels in the blood.
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calcium
A mineral that strengthens the bones. It is contained in some foods, including dairy products. It is stored in the bones and is present in the blood. The kidneys normally help to keep calcium in the bones. In kidney failure, calcium drains out of the
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candida albicans
Afungus that sometimes causes peritonitis in patients on peritoneal dialysis.
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CAPD
Abbreviation for continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. A continuous form of PD in which patients perform the exchanges of dialysis fluid by hand. The fluid is usually exchanged four times during the day, and is left inside the patient overnight.
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cardiologist
A medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating conditions of the heart.
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catheter
A flexible plastic tube used to enter the interior of the body. A catheter is one of the access options for patients on haemodialysis. For patients on peritoneal dialysis, a catheter allows dialysis fluid to be put into and removed from the peritonea
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CC (Creatinine Clearance).
A test done in addition to blood tests for measuring either kidney, dialysis or transplant function. The normal level for the kidney(s) is about 120 ml/min (1200 litre/week) whilst for CAPD patients it is 50 l/week, CCPD 65 l/week and Haemodialysis 1
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CCPD
Stands for "continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis." Similar to CAPD in that dialysis happens inside the body, using the peritoneal membrane as a filter. However, a machine performs the peritoneal dialysis solution exchanges in regular cycles usually
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cells
The tiny units from which all living things are built up. Most cells have some common features (including a nucleus that is the cell’s control centre and an outer membrane or skin that gives the cell its shape). Cells in different parts of the body l
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cholesterol
A lipid (fat) that is a major contributor to atheroma.
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chronic
A word meaning long-term and of slow onset, not usually requiring immediate action.
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CKD
Abbreviation for chronic kidney disease. This is an abnormality in the kidneys that is present for more than 3 months, and is graded stages 1, 2, 3a, 3b, 4 and 5 for minor to severe kidney disease.
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clearance
The removal of the toxic waste products of food from the body. Clearance is one of the two main functions of the kidneys. In kidney failure, clearance is inadequate and toxins from food build up in the blood.
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conservative management.
Treatment of end stage kidney disease without the use of dialysis.
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CMV
Abbreviation for cytomegalovirus
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creatinine
A waste substance produced by the muscles when they are used. The name creatinine is also given to a blood test that measures the blood level of creatinine. The higher the blood creatinine level, the worse the kidneys (or dialysis or a kidney transpl
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cross-match
The final blood test before a transplant operation is performed. It checks whether the patient has any antibodies to the donor kidney. The operation can proceed only if the cross-match is negative (i.e., no antibodies are found).
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CT scan
Abbreviation for a computerised tomography scan. An investigation that uses a computer to build up a picture from a series of low-intensity X-rays.
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cycler
A machine used for CCPD (APD) that performs peritoneal dialysis solution exchanges in regular cycles.
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cyclosporin
An immuno-suppressant drug used to prevent the rejection of a transplant kidney.
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cystitis
A type of infection that causes inflammation of the bladder.
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cytomegalovirus (CMV
A virus that normally causes only a mild ‘flu-like’ illness. In people with a kidney transplant (and in other people whose immune system is suppressed), CMV can cause a more serious illness, affecting the lungs, liver and blood.
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DBD
abbreviation for donation after brain death, donation of a kidney from someone who has died, where death has occurred because of brain stem death (the person will need to be on artificial ventilation but their heart will still function).
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DCD
abbreviation for donation after cardiac death, donation of a kidney from someone who has died as a result of their heart stopping beating.
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Deceased donor transplant
. A transplant kidney removed from someone who has died.
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dehydration
A condition in which the body does not contain enough water to function properly. Dehydration often occurs with low blood pressure, which causes weakness and dizziness.
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diabetes mellitus
A condition (also known as sugar diabetes or simply as diabetes) in which there is too much sugar in the blood. Whether this type of diabetes is controlled by insulin, tablets or diet, it can cause kidney failure. This happens most often to people wh
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dialyser
The filtering unit of a dialysis machine. It provides the dialysis membrane for patients on haemodialysis. The dialyser removes body wastes and excess water from the blood in a similar way to a normal kidney.
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dialysis
An artificial process by which the toxic waste products of food and excess water are removed from the body. Dialysis therefore takes over some of the work normally performed by healthy kidneys. The name dialysis comes from a Greek word meaning ‘to se
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dialysis fluid
The liquid that provides the ‘container’ into which toxic waste products and excess water pass during dialysis for removal from the body.
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dialysis machine
The machine used to perform haemodialysis. It includes a dialyser, which filters the patient’s blood. The machine helps to pump the patient’s blood through the dialyser, and monitors the dialysis process as it takes place.
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dialysis membrane
A thin layer of tissue or plastic with many tiny holes in it, through which the process of dialysis takes place. In peritoneal dialysis, the patient’s peritoneum provides the dialysis membrane. For haemodialysis, the dialysis membrane is made of plas
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diastolic blood pressure
A blood pressure reading taken when the heart is relaxed. It is taken after the systolic blood pressure and is the second figure in a blood pressure measurement.
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diffusion
A process by which substances pass from a stronger to a weaker solution. Diffusion is one of the key processes in dialysis (the other is ultrafiltration). During dialysis, body wastes such as creatinine pass from the blood into the dialysis fluid. At
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diuretic drugs
The medical name for water tablets. These drugs increase the amount of urine that is passed. Two commonly used diuretics are frusemide and bumetanide.
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donor
A person who donates (gives) an organ to another person (the recipient).
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donor kidney
A kidney that has been donated
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doppler scan
A type of ultrasound scan (sound-wave picture)that provides information about blood flow through the arteries.
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EBV
Abbreviation for Epstein Barr virus, which can cause glandular fever in healthy people, and more serious problems in those who have received kidney transplants
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ECG
Abbreviation for electrocardiogram. A test that shows the electrical activity within the heart.
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ECHO
Abbreviation for echocardiogram. A type of ultrasound scan (sound-wave picture)that shows how well the heart is working.
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eGFR
Abbreviation of estimated glomerular filtration rate. Measurement of how much blood is filtered by the kidneys, calculated from the blood level of creatinine
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endocrinologist:
A medical doctor who specializes in treating disorders of the endocrine glands, including the pancreas.
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end-stage renal failure (ESRF)
A term for advanced chronic kidney failure. People who develop ESRF will die within a few weeks unless treated by dialysis or transplantation. These treatments control ESRF but cannot cure it. Once a patient has developed ESRF, they will always have
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end-stage renal disease (ESRD
An alternative name for end-stage renal failure.
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established renal failure (ERF
An alternative name for end-stage renal failure or end-stage renal disease.
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EPO
Abbreviation for erythropoeitin.
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erythropoeitin
A hormone, made by the kidneys, which stimulates the bone marrow to produce red blood cells.
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ESA
Abbreviation for erythropoeitin stimulating agent, a group of drugs which act in exactly the same way as EPO but differ chemically so are given a slightly different name
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ESRF
Abbreviation for end-stage renal failure.
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ESRD
Abbreviation for end-stage renal disease.
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exit site
The point where a catheter comes out through the skin. Exit site infections can be a problem for PD patients.
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exchange transplant.
Sometimes a person cannot receive a living donor kidney transplant because of blood group incompatibility or other antibody incompatibility, even though they have a family member willing to donate a kidney. It may be possible to find another potentia
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fistula
An enlarged vein, usually at the wrist or elbow, that gives access to the bloodstream for haemodialysis. The fistula is created by a surgeon in a small operation. It is done by joining a vein to an artery. This increases the flow of blood through the
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FK506
Another name for tacrolimus.
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fluid overload
A condition in which the body contains too much water. It is caused by drinking too much fluid, or not losing enough. Fluid overload occurs in kidney failure because one of the main functions of the kidneys is to remove excess water. Fluid overload o
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glomerulus
One of the tiny filtering units inside the kidney.
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glomerulonephritis
Inflammation of the glomeruli, which is one of the causes of kidney failure.
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glucose
A type of sugar. There is normally a small amount of glucose in the blood. This amount is not usually increased in people with kidney failure unless they also have diabetes mellitus. Glucose is the main substance in PD fluid, drawing excess water int
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graft
A type of access for haemodialysis. The graft is a small plastic tube that connects an artery to a vein. It is inserted into the arm or leg by a surgeon. Haemodialysis needles are inserted into the graft, which can be used many hundreds of times.
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GFR
Abbreviation of glomerular filtration rate. Measurement of how much blood is filtered by the kidneys, if the GFR is low there is kidney disease.
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haemodialysis
A form of dialysis in which the blood is cleaned outside the body, in a machine called a dialysis machine or kidney machine. The machine contains a filter called the dialyser or artificial kidney. Each dialysis session lasts for three to five hours,
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haemodialysis catheter
A plastic tube used to gain access to the bloodstream for haemodialysis.
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haemodialysis unit
The part of a hospital where patients go for haemodialysis.
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haemoglobin (Hb)
A substance in red blood cells that carries oxygen around the body. Blood levels of haemoglobin are measured to look for anaemia. A low Hb level indicates anaemia
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Hb
abbreviation for haemoglobin
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HDL.
Abbreviation for high density lipoprotein. One of the types of cholesterol in the blood, representing cholesterol being returned to the liver for recycling. A high HDL level may therefore be beneficial, but has to be interpreted in the light of the L
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heart-beating donor
A term used to describe a donor whose heart is still beating after brain death has occurred. Most, but not all, cadaveric transplants come from heart-beating donors.
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hepatitis
An infection of the liver, usually caused by a virus. Two main types, called hepatitis B and hepatitis C, can be passed on by blood contact. This means that dialysis patients, especially those on haemodialysis, have an increased risk of getting these
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home haemodialysis
Treatment on a dialysis machine installed in a patient’s own home. For home haemodialysis to be considered, the patient must have a partner or friend who is able to supervise every dialysis session.
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hormones
Substances that act as chemical messengers in the body. They are produced in parts of the body called endocrine glands. Hormones travel around the body in the blood and control how other parts of the body work. For example, parathyroid hormone from t
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HTA
Abbreviation for Human Tissue Authority. The Government organisation that oversees transplantation, and appoints and trains the assessors that donor and recipient must see before living donor transplants.
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hyperparathyroidism
A disorder in which the parathyroid glands make too much parathyroid hormone.
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hypertension
high blood pressure
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intravenous pyelogram (IVP
A special X-ray of the kidneys. A dye that shows up on X-rays is used to show the drainage system of the kidneys. The dye is injected into the patient’s arm, travels in the blood to the kidneys, and is passed from the body in the urine.
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immune system
The body’s natural defence system. It includes organs (such as the spleen and appendix), lymph nodes (including the ‘glands’ in the neck) and specialist white blood cells called lymphocytes. The immune system protects the body from infections, foreig
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immuno-suppressant drugs
A group of drugs used to dampen down the immune system to prevent rejection of a transplant kidney. Commonly used examples are cyclosporin, azathioprine and prednisolone. Tacrolimus (FK506) is a newer example
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IVP
Abbreviation for intravenous pyelogram.
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kidneys
The two bean-shaped body organs where urine is made. They are located at the back of the body, below the ribs. The two main functions of the kidneys are to remove toxic wastes and to remove excess water from the body. The kidneys also help to control
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kidney biopsy
Removal of a small piece of kidney through a hollow needle for examination under a microscope. It is needed to diagnose some causes of kidney failure, including
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kidney donor
A person who gives a kidney for transplantation.
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kidney failure
A condition in which the kidneys are less able than normal to perform their functions of removing toxic wastes, removing excess water, helping to control blood pressure, helping to control red blood cell manufacture and helping to keep the bones stro
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Card 2

Front

A method of gaining entry to the bloodstreamto allow dialysis. Access methods used for haemodialysis include a catheter, fistula or graft. The term is also used in peritoneal dialysis, referring to the catheter (tube) entering the tummy.

Back

access

Card 3

Front

A word meaning short-term and of rapid onset, usually requiring a rapid response.

Back

Preview of the back of card 3

Card 4

Front

A term that refers to how well dialysis is working. To measure adequacy, tests are carried out to see if enough fluid and waste products are being removed from the blood.

Back

Preview of the back of card 4

Card 5

Front

A type of protein that occurs in the blood.

Back

Preview of the back of card 5
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