Glossary of terms

Too much acid in the body; this can happen when the kidneys do not remove enough acid into the urine. May also be called metabolic acidosis

Term used for a condition that starts suddenly and that may not last very long

A condition where the kidneys suddenly stop working properly. This can happen over a period of a few days or a few weeks. In some children it can be very serious

Gland that sits on top of each kidney and helps to regulate (control) how it works. “Ad” means near or next to, and “renal” means kidney

The tiny blood vessel that takes blood into the glomerulus (afferent means carried in)

The most abundant type of protein in the body

An accurate way of measuring the level of albuminuria, or albumin in the urine. It compares the amount of albumin to the amount of creatinine in a urine sample

An abnormal amount of albumin in the urine

Medicines that relax blood vessels to reduce blood pressure. They are also called alpha-adrenoceptor-blocking medicines.

Measuring blood pressure when you are moving around; this may be done in your home 

Use of medicines (anaesthetics) to avoid feeling pain

Medicine that is given to avoid feeling pain - this includes local anaesethetics, which are applied to a particular site on the body, and general anaesthesia, which makes a patient go to sleep to avoid feeling pain anywhere in the body

Medicines that relax blood vessels to reduce blood pressure;  may also be called angiotensin II receptor antagonists

Medicines that relax blood vessels to reduce blood pressure 

Not eating enough food

A type of medicine that kills bacteria causing an infection 

Proteins that are made in the body to destroy bacteria and viruses; they are part of the immune system

A hormone that controls how much urine the body makes. ADH is carried in the blood to the cells in the kidneys. When a lot of ADH is released, the kidneys re-absorb (take back) more water. This means there is less water in the urine, and so it is more concentrated.

Passing no urine

Irregular heartbeat

One of two types of blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to the body 

Abnormal heartbeat

When the immune system is not working properly and can start to damage parts of the body

Medicines that make the heart beat more slowly and with less force, to reduce blood pressure. They may also be called beta-adrenoceptor-blocking medicines

A type of mineral, or electrolyte, in the body that indicates the amount of acid in the body, or the pH balance

A procedure in which a small piece of an organ, such as the kidney, is removed from the body and examined

the area where a needle is inserted during a kidney biopsy