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Nephrology
The branch of medicine dealing with the study of kidney diseases and disorders
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Nephrologist
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.
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Dialysis
Renal replacement therapy which involves the removal of waste from the patient’s blood supply
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Hemodialysis
The process of removing waste from the patient’s blood supply using ultra filtration through a dialysis machine
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Peritoneal dialysis
The process of removing waste from the patient’s blood supply by utilizing the patient’s peritoneum (located in the abdomen) as a membrane
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Nocturnal dialysis
Dialysis treatment given to a patient while they sleep utilizing the ultrafiltration method
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Chronic Kidney Disease
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
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End Stage Renal Disease
The complete or almost complete loss of kidney function which requires renal replacement therapy
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Renal Transplant
A process by which a patient with end stage renal disease receives a kidney from a donor
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Renal Ultrasound
The use of sound waves to see images of the kidneys to look for abnormalities such as tumors, cysts, etc.
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Renal Biopsy
The sampling of kidney tissue