Nephrology

Diseases and Conditions

Acute kidney failure

Acute nephritic syndrome

Analgesic nephropathy

Atheroembolic renal disease

Chronic kidney failure

Chronic nephritis

Congenital nephrotic syndrome

End-stage renal disease

Goodpasture syndrome

Interstitial nephritis

Kidney cancer

Kidney damage

Kidney infection

Kidney stones

Lupus nephritis

Membranoproliferative Gn I

Membranoproliferative Gn II

Membranous nephropathy

Minimal change disease

Necrotizing glomerulonephritis

Nephroblastoma

Nephrocalcinosis

Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus

Nephropathy - IgA

Nephrosis

Polycystic kidney disease

Post-streptococcal GN

Reflux nephropathy

Renal artery embolism

Renal artery stenosis

Renal disorders

Renal papillary necrosis

Renal tubular acidosis I

Renal tubular acidosis II

Renal underperfusion

Renal vein thrombosis

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Inherited Kidney Disease

Gout Kidney Disease

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Diseases and Conditions Kidney Disease Kidney disease is classified as any disease or disorder that affects the function of the kidneys. This may include: Acute kidney failure Acute nephritic syndrome Analgesic nephropathy Atheroembolic renal disease Chronic kidney failure Chronic nephritis Congenital nephrotic syndrome End-stage renal disease Goodpasture's syndrome Interstitial nephritis Kidney cancer Kidney damage Kidney infection Kidney injury Kidney stones Lupus nephritis Membranoproliferative GN I Membranoproliferative GN II Membranous nephropathy Minimal change disease Necrotizing glomerulonephritis Nephroblastoma Nephrocalcinosis Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus Nephropathy - IgA Nephrosis (nephrotic syndrome) Polycystic kidney disease Post-streptococcal GN Reflux nephropathy Renal artery embolism Renal artery stenosis Renal disorders Renal papillary necrosis Renal tubular acidosis type I Renal tubular acidosis type II Renal underperfusion Renal vein thrombosis What Kidneys Do The kidneys filter the blood and help remove waste and extra fluid from the body. The kidneys also play an important role in controlling the chemical balance of the body. As with other organs, kidney function may be slightly reduced with aging. The kidneys are part of the urinary system, which also includes the ureters and the bladder. Bladder control can be affected by muscle changes and changes in the reproductive system.     Symptoms of Acute Kidney Failure May Include the following: Decrease in amount of urine (oliguria) Urination stops (anuria) Excessive urination at night Ankle, feet, and leg swelling Generalized swelling, fluid retention Decreased sensation, especially in the hands or feet Decreased appetite Metallic taste in mouth Persistent hiccups Changes in mental status or mood Highlights A three-year multi-center study of kidney-pancreas transplant recipients has identified a new risk factor for impaired kidney function, which may help physicians refine their treatment strategies. Researchers from Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center and colleagues found that metabolic syndrome, a cluster of symptoms that increase the risk of heart disease, is also a risk factor for deterioration of kidney function in simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplant recipients. The risk is especially high when the pancreas transplant fails.   “The findings suggest that we need to do whatever we can to keep the transplanted pancreas functioning because it may protect against development of long-term kidney transplant dysfunction,” said Jeffrey Rogers, M.D., a Wake Forest transplant surgeon. “The findings also underscore the importance of controlling weight, blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol – the variables that define metabolic syndrome.”