Common Terms
- GFR - Glomerular filtration rate. Your provider will check your GFR through a blood test to see how well your kidneys are filtering waste from your blood.
- Albumin - A protein that circulates in your blood to maintain fluid balance and blood pressure. Your provider can check your urine for levels of albumin. High levels of albumin in the urine signify kidney damage.
- Dialysis - A process that filters the blood of excess waste, salt and water when the kidneys are unable to do so by themselves.
- Transplant - The replacement of damaged kidneys with a health kidney. The healthy kidney takes over the work of the failed kidneys. The healthy kidney may come from a person who has passed away or from a live donor. Medications must be taken after transplants to be sure that the new kidney continues to function properly.
Additional Resources
National Kidney Foundation - A comprehensive resource about kidneys, kidney disease and support for patients and their support systems
National Kidney Disease Education Program - Q&A regarding what chronic kidney disease may mean for you
American Diabetes Foundation - More information about kidney disease for those living with diabetes
Diet and Chronic Kidney Disease - Details and tips for maintaining a kidney-friendly diet
Medical References Your Doctor Might Want to Read
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Prevalence of chronic kidney disease and associated risk factors--United States, 1999-2004. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2007 Mar 2;56(8):161-5.
- Sarnak MJ, Levey AS, Schoolwerth AC, et al. Kidney disease as a risk factor for development of cardiovascular disease: A statement from the American Heart Association councils on kidney in cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure research, clinical cardiology, and epidemiology and prevention. Circulation. 2003;108(17):2154-2169.
- U.S. Renal Data System, USRDS 2012 Annual Data Report: Atlas of End-Stage Renal Disease in the United States. National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, MD, 2012.
- Agodoa LY, Appel L, Bakris GL, et al. Effect of ramipril vs amlodipine on renal outcomes in hypertensive nephrosclerosis: A randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2001;285(21):2719-2728.
- MacGregor MS, Taal MW. Renal association clinical practice guideline on detection, monitoring and management of patients with CKD. Nephron Clin Pract. 2011;118 Suppl 1:c71-c100.
- Jun M, Lv J, Perkovic V, Jardine MJ. Managing cardiovascular risk in people with chronic kidney disease: A review of the evidence from randomized controlled trials. Ther Adv Chronic Dis. 2011;2(4):265-278.
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