A technique that bounces safe, painless sound waves off organs to create an image of their structure.
A waste product found in the blood and caused by the normal breakdown of protein in the liver. Urea is normally removed from the blood by the kidneys and then excreted in the urine. Urea accumulates in the body of people with renal failure.
The illness associated with the buildup of urea in the blood because the kidneys are not working effectively. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, weakness, and mental confusion.
A tool for examining the bladder and ureters and for removing kidney stones through the urethra. The procedure is called ureteroscopy (yoo-ree-tur-AH-skoh-pee).
Tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder.
The tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.
uric (YOOR-ik) acid stone:
A kidney stone that may result from a diet high in animal protein. When the body breaks down this protein, uric acid levels rise and can form stones.
A test of a urine sample that can reveal many problems of the urinary system and other body systems. The sample may be observed for color, cloudiness, concentration; signs of drug use; chemical composition, including sugar; the presence of protein, blood cells, or germs; or other signs of disease.
urinary (YOOR-ih-NEHR-ee) tract:
The system that takes wastes from the blood and carries them out of the body in the form of urine. The urinary tract includes the kidneys, renal pelvises, ureters, bladder, and urethra.
urinary tract infection (UTI):
An illness caused by harmful bacteria growing in the urinary tract.
To release urine from the bladder to the outside.
Liquid waste product filtered from the blood by the kidneys, stored in the bladder, and expelled from the body through the urethra by the act of voiding or urinating.
Stones in the urinary system.
URR (urea reduction ratio):
A blood test that compares the amount of blood urea nitrogen before and after dialysis to measure the effectiveness of the dialysis dose.
Inflammation of the blood vessel walls. This can cause rash and disease in multiple organs of the body, including the kidneys.
vesicoureteral (VESS-ih-koh-yoo-REE-ter-ul) reflux:
An abnormal condition in which urine backs up into the ureters, and occasionally into the kidneys, raising the risk of infection.
To urinate, empty the bladder.
Wegener's granulomatosis (GRAN-yoo-LOH-muh-TOH-sis):
An autoimmune disease that damages the blood vessels and causes disease in the lungs, upper respiratory tract, and kidneys.
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The National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NKUDIC) is a service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). NIDDK is part of the National Institutes of Health under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Established in 1987, the clearinghouse provides information about diseases of the kidneys and urologic system to people with kidney and urologic disorders and to their families, health care professionals, and the public. NKUDIC answers inquiries; develops, reviews, and distributes publications; and works closely with professional and patient organizations and Government agencies to coordinate resources about kidney and urologic diseases.
Publications produced by the clearinghouse are carefully reviewed for scientific accuracy, content, and readability.
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NIH Publication No. 00-4359
e-text posted: February 2000