Health Information

Kidney Diseases

This section deals in more detail with some of the more common kidney disease areas, and highlights the research we have been doing in these areas.

For more information and queries please contact us on the details below:

E-Mail: kidneyhealth@kidneyresearchuk.org

Tel: 08453 00 14 99

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Anaemia and kidney disease

Anaemia is a common condition where there are not enough red blood cells, or not enough haemoglobin in the red blood cells to carry the usual amount of oxygen around the body.

Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD)

In ADPKD, the kidney is gradually replaced by slow-growing cysts. The cysts grow at different rates and may never cause trouble in some people.

Autosomal Recessive Polycystic Kidney Disease (ARPKD)

ARPKD is a rare inherited disease in which the kidneys are damaged by cysts in both kidneys. Small cysts form inside the collecting tubules, which are inside the nephron.

Blood pressure and kidney disease

Blood pressure is a measurement of the force or pressure the heart needs to push the blood around the body. It is a measure of the maximum and minimum blood pressure with each heart beat.

Calcification

Calcification is the deposition of calcium salts, like chalk. This occurs normally in bone, but under certain conditions calcium deposits form in other body tissues and organs, causing a variety of problems.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a phrase that embraces the majority of renal conditions. It can be thought of as a thief that works quietly at night, without creating any disturbance.

Cystic Kidney Diseases

Many conditions share kidney cysts as a feature

Diabetes

Diabetes is the most common cause of established renal failure (ERF) requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant. About 20% of those starting dialysis in the UK have diabetes.

Glomerulonephritis

Glomerulonephritis is a family of kidney disease that can cause renal failure at any age. The glomerulus is a tiny ball of capillaries (very small blood vessels) inside Bowman's capsule, through which the urine is filtered.

Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome (H.U.S.)

HUS is a rare condition and there are several types. Haemolytic describes the abnormal breakdown of red blood cells.

Kidney Cancer

Kidney cancer accounts for almost 3% of cancers in the UK in males and 2% in females, but it seems to be increasing. Over the past 20 years kidney cancer in the UK has increased by around 70%.

Kidney stones

Kidney stones are common, especially in men. How common they are depends on your age, diet, and where you live.

Peritonitis

The peritoneum is the inside lining of the abdomen, and the outer cover of the internal abdominal organs.

Renal Artery Stenosis (RAS)

Is a narrowing to one or both of the major blood vessels to each kidney. This may be a result of kidney failure. The kidney failure can be one manifestation of blood vessel disease which is present throughout the whole arterial system.

Vesico-Ureteral Reflux (VUR)

VUR is a congenital condition; about 1% of people are born with it. It is not always found soon after birth and may be found in children or discovered in adults. It may never cause trouble for some people.