Glossary of Medical Terms

Fluid overload = a condition in which the body contains too much water, caused by drinking too much, or not losing enough.

See also: What about fluid intake?

Graft (1) = a type of access for haemodialysis. A graft is a small plastic tube that connects an artery to a vein. It is inserted into your arm or leg by a surgeon. Haemodialysis needles are inserted into your graft during dialysis.

Graft (2) = is also the name given for a transplanted kidney.

Glomerulonephritis = a painless inflammation of the filtering part of the kidneys (the glomerulus) - this leads to high blood pressure and progressive loss of kidney function in some cases. There are many different types and they are diagnosed after a kidney biopsy - treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs such as steroids may be used to reduce the kidney damage.

See also: Specific kidney disorders

Glucose= a type of sugar. It is the main substance of peritoneal dialysis fluid.

Glucose tolerance test = checks how well the body processes glucose (sugar). It involves comparing the levels of glucose in the blood before and after drinking a sugary drink. The results of this test can help doctors to detect type 2 diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance.

Haemodialysis = a form of dialysis in which the blood is cleaned outside the body by a machine which passes the blood across a filter.

See also: An introduction to Haemodialysis

HD = used as shorthand for haemodialysis

Haemoglobin = the substance in red blood cells that carries oxygen around the body.

Hormone = a substance that acts as a chemical messenger in the body, controlling various body functions.

Ideal body weight = a term describing the weight that people are expected to weigh based on age, sex and height. A malnourished person would weigh less than their ideal body weight.

Immune system = the "defence" system that protects the body from infections and foreign bodies.

Immuno-suppressant drugs = drugs used to make the immune system less effective, so that a Transplanted kidney will not be rejected.

Live donor transplant = a transplant where the donor is living and gives one of their two kidneys to a recipient.

Malnutrition = loss of body weight, usually due to not eating enough foods that provide Protein and energy.

Membrane = a thin skin-like layer or film.

Nephritis = inflammation of the kidneys.

Nephron = the filtering unit of the kidney which performs the job of filtering and fluid balance jobs - each kidney is made up of many nephrons.

Oedema = an abnormal accumulation of water in the body. When water accumulates in the lungs, this is known as a pulmonary oedema.