Search

When diabetes is not well controlled, the sugar level in your blood goes too high. This is called hyperglycemia. High blood sugar can cause damage to many parts of your body, especially:

• kidneys
• heart
• blood vessels
• eyes
• feet
• nerves

Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease. Kidney disease due to diabetes is called diabetic...

Fabry disease is a rare disorder that happens when the body lacks an important enzyme called alpha-galactosidase A (alpha GAL). This enzyme breaks down certain fats so they can be removed from cells and passed out of the body or be recycled for other functions. When alpha GAL is missing or present in low amounts, fat builds up in cells of the blood vessels and tissues of the kidneys, heart, skin and brain. Over time,...

Nephrectomy (nephro = kidney, ectomy = removal) is the surgical removal of a kidney. The procedure is done to treat kidney cancer as well as other kidney diseases and injuries. Nephrectomy is also done to remove a healthy kidney from a donor (either living or deceased) for transplantation. Thousands of nephrectomies are performed every year in the U.S.

There are two types of nephrectomy for a...

Many analgesics should not be used if there is decreased kidney function, because they reduce the blood flow to the kidney. Also, long term use with higher doses may harm normal kidneys. It is important to realize that, while helpful, these medicines are not completely without risk, and they should be used carefully. Kidney disease related to analgesics is preventable.

Analgesics are medicines that help to...