Glossary of Medical Terms
Conservative management – treatment of kidney failure without the use of dialysis or transplant.
Creatinine = the waste substance that is produced when muscles are used. Measuring the creatinine level in the blood gives an indication of how well, or poorly, the kidneys are working.
Deceased donor transplant = a transplant kidney that has been removed from a person who has died.
Dehydration = a condition which arises when there is not enough water in the body to enable it to function properly.
Diabetes mellitus – a condition in which there is too much sugar in the blood. This is known as a high glucose level and can cause kidney failure - this develops in about 20% of all patients with diabetes. It can be treated by insulin, tablets or diet. It is the single most common cause of CKD and usually occurs in people who have had diabetes for longer than ten years.
See also: Specific kidney disorders
Dialyser = the filtering unit of a dialysis machine. The dialyser removes waste products and excess water from the blood.
Dialysis = the artificial process by which waste products and excess water are removed from the blood, used when the kidneys are no longer able to perform this function adequately.
Dialysis Fluid = the liquid into which waste products and excess water are passed during dialysis.
Diuretic drugs = the medical name for water tablets, which increase the amount of urine that is passed.
Donor = the person (living or dead) who donates an organ to another person.
Dry weight = an estimate of the body weight without any excess fluid in the lungs or in the tissues.
ECG = an electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test which records the rhythm and electrical activity of your heart. For more see here.
Echocardiagram = uses sound waves to build up a detailed picture of your heart. It is similar to the ultrasound scan used in pregnancy. For more see here.
EPO – abbreviation for erythropoietin (see below).
Erythropoeitin – a hormone, made by your kidneys, which stimulates your bone marrow to produce red blood cells.
ESA - abbreviateion for Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents - drugs which act like the natural hormone erythropoietin.
Fistula – an enlarged vein, usually at the wrist or elbow, that gives access to the bloodstream for haemodialysis. A surgeon creates a fistula by joining an artery to a vein in a small operation. This increases the flow of blood through the vein and causes it to enlarge, making it suitable for haemodialysis needles.
See also: How a fistula is made and used (external site - uses Flash so won't work with any Apple device)
