Kidneys and Kidney Failure

This set of flashcards covers important vocabulary and concepts related to kidneys, kidney failure, dialysis, and organ donation.

Kidney Failure

A condition where the kidneys lose their ability to filter waste and excess water from the blood.

Dialysis

A medical procedure that acts as an artificial kidney, filtering blood and removing excess salts, urea, and water.

Living Kidney Donor

A person who voluntarily donates one of their kidneys while still alive.

Deceased Kidney Donor

A person who has recently died and whose kidney is donated for transplant to a patient in need.

Immunosuppressants

Medications taken by patients after a transplant to prevent the body from rejecting the new organ.

Warning Signs of Kidney Failure

Symptoms indicating possible kidney failure, including extreme fatigue, nausea, poor appetite, cramps, and swelling.

High Blood Pressure

A medical condition that can lead to kidney failure due to increased pressure on blood vessels.

Diabetes

A chronic disease that can damage the kidneys and lead to kidney failure.

Polycystic Kidney Disease

A genetic disorder characterized by the presence of multiple cysts in the kidneys.

Glomerular Diseases

Conditions affecting the glomeruli, the filtering units of the kidneys, which can lead to kidney damage.