F
fistula (FIST-yoo-lah):
See arteriovenous
fistula.
G
Glomerular
(gloh-MEHR-yoo-ler) filtration rate
(GFR):
A calculation of how efficiently
the kidneys are filtering wastes from
the blood. A traditional GFR calculation requires an
injection into the bloodstream of a fluid that is
later measured in a 24-hour urine
collection. A modified GFR calculation requires only
that the creatinine in a blood sample be
measured. Each laboratory has its own normal range for
measurements. Generally, the normal range for men is
97 to 137 mL/min/1.73 m2 of body surface
area. The normal range for women is 88 to 128
mL/min/1.73 m2.
glomeruli
(gloh-MEHR-yoo-lie):
Plural of
glomerulus.
glomerulonephritis
(gloh-MEHR-yoo-loh-nef-RY-tis):
Inflammation of the
glomeruli. Most often, it is caused by
an autoimmune disease, but it can also
result from infection.
glomerulosclerosis
(gloh-MEHR-yoo-loh-skleh-ROH-sis):
Scarring of the
glomeruli. It may result from
diabetes mellitus (diabetic
glomerulosclerosis) or from deposits in parts of the
glomeruli (focal segmental glomerulosclerosis). The
most common signs of glomerulosclerosis are
proteinuria and chronic kidney
disease.
glomerulus
(gloh-MEHR-yoo-lus):
A tiny set of looping blood
vessels in the nephron where blood is
filtered in the kidney.
Goodpasture syndrome:
An uncommon disease that usually
includes bleeding from the lungs, coughing up of
blood, and inflammation of the kidneys
that can lead to kidney failure. This
condition is an autoimmune
disease.
graft:
In hemodialysis (see
dialysis), a vascular access surgically
created using a synthetic tube to connect an artery to
a vein. In transplantation (see
transplant), a graft is the transplanted
organ or tissue.
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H
hematocrit
(hee-MAT-uh-krit):
A measure that tells what
portion of a blood sample consists of red blood cells.
Low hematocrit suggests anemia or
massive blood loss.
hematuria
(HEE-muh-TOOR-ee-uh):
Blood in the
urine, which can be a sign of a
kidney stone,
glomerulonephritis, or other kidney
problem.
hemodialysis:
See dialysis.
hemolytic
(HEE-moh-LIT-ik) uremic (yoo-REE-mik)
syndrome (SIN-drome) (HUS):
A disease that affects the blood
and blood vessels. It destroys red blood cells, cells
that cause the blood to clot, and the lining of blood
vessels. HUS is often caused by the Escherichia
coli bacterium in contaminated food. People with
HUS may develop acute renal failure.
hormone (HOR-mone):
A natural chemical produced in
one part of the body and released into the blood to
trigger or regulate particular functions of the body.
The kidney releases three hormones:
erythropoietin, renin, and
an active form of vitamin D that helps regulate
calcium for bones.
hydronephrosis
(HY-droh-nef-ROH-sis):
Swelling of the top of the
ureter, usually because something is
blocking the urine from flowing into or
out of the bladder.
hypercalciuria
(HY-per-kal-see-YOO-ree-uh):
Abnormally large amounts of
calcium in the urine.
hyperoxaluria
(HY-per-ox-uh-LOO-ree-uh):
Unusually large amounts of
oxalate in the urine,
leading to kidney stones.
hypertension
(HY-per-TEN-shun):
High blood pressure, which can
be caused either by too much fluid in the blood
vessels or by narrowing of the blood vessels.
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I
IgA nephropathy
(nef-RAHP-uh-thee):
A kidney disorder
caused by deposits of the protein immunoglobulin A
(IgA) inside the glomeruli (filters)
within the kidney. The IgA protein damages the
glomeruli, leading to blood and protein in the
urine, to swelling in the hands and
feet, and sometimes to kidney failure.
immune (im-YOON)
system:
The body's system for protecting
itself from viruses and bacteria or any "foreign"
substances.
immunosuppressant
(im-YOON-oh-suh-PRESS-unt):
A drug given to suppress the
natural responses of the body's immune
system. Immunosuppressants are given to
transplant patients to prevent organ
rejection and to patients with autoimmune
diseases like lupus.
interstitial
(IN-ter-STISH-ul) nephritis
(nef-RY-tis):
Inflammation of the kidney
cells that are not part of the
fluid-collecting units, a condition that can lead to
acute renal failure or chronic
kidney disease.
intravenous
(IN-truh-VEE-nus) pyelogram
(PY-loh-gram):
An x ray of the urinary
tract. A dye is injected to make the
kidneys, ureters, and
bladder visible on the x ray and show
any blockage in the urinary
tract.
