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Medullary sponge kidney (MSK) is a congenital disorder, meaning it is present at birth. MSK occurs when small cysts (sacs) form either on tiny tubes within the kidney (known as tubules) or the collecting ducts (a channel where urine is collected for removal). These cysts can reduce the outward flow of urine from the kidneys. One or both kidneys can be affected.

MSK is considered a rare disorder. The exact cause is not known and the...

The prostate gland is about the size of a walnut and is located below the bladder, the organ that stores urine. The prostate gland is part of the reproductive system in men. The job of the prostate gland is to make fluid for semen, which is used to carry sperm during ejaculation.

If the prostate gland becomes enlarged, it can interfere with the flow of urine. The prostate gland wraps around...

Did you know that diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure? Diabetes is a leading risk factor for kidney disease and is characterized by high levels of blood sugar. It occurs when your body does not make enough insulin, a hormone that regulates the amount of sugar in your blood, or cannot use normal amounts of insulin properly. High blood sugar levels have a damaging ripple effect in many parts of your body, causing harm to the kidneys...

Kidneys perform crucial functions that affect all parts of the body and are involved in complex operations that keep the rest of the body in balance. When the kidneys are damaged by disease, other organs are affected. Kidney problems can range from a minor urinary tract infection to progressive kidney failure. Scientific advances over the past three decades have improved our ability to diagnose and treat those who suffer from kidney disorders...

Many diseases can affect your kidney function by attacking and damaging the glomeruli, the tiny filtering units inside your kidney where blood is cleaned. The conditions that affect your glomeruli are called glomerular diseases. One of these conditions is minimal change disease (MCD). Minimal change disease is a disorder where there is damage to your glomeruli. The disease gets its name because the damage...

Many diseases can affect your kidney function by attacking and damaging the glomeruli, the tiny filtering units inside your kidney where blood is cleaned. The conditions that affect your glomeruli are called glomerular diseases. Glomerular diseases include many conditions with many different causes. One of these conditions is membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN). MPGN happens when...

About 1-3% of all infants and children have a condition called vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), which means some of their urine flows in the wrong direction after entering the bladder. Some of the urine flows back up toward the kidneys and can increase the chance of developing a urinary tract infection (UTI).

UTIs that reach the kidneys can cause...

Complement 3 glomerulopathy (C3G) is a rare kidney disease that has two forms: dense deposit disease (DDD) and C3 glomerulonephritis (C3GN). Each is caused by genetic or acquired problems in controlling the body’s complement system, which helps fight infections. Genetic problems can be inherited or not inherited. The acquired complications arise during a person’s life.

C3G can have a major impact on a person’s health. The signs and...

What is glomerular disease?

Your kidneys may be small, but they perform many vital functions that help maintain your overall health, including filtering waste and excess fluids from your blood. Your kidneys have about one million tiny filter units called nephrons. Each nephron has a glomerulus, so that means there are over one million of them too.  More than one glomerulus are called glomeruli. Glomeruli work like strainers used...