GLOSSARY

Chronic kidney disease (CKD, Kidney failure): The inability of the kidneys to excrete wastes, concentrate urine, and conserve electroytes in order to maintain the body's equilibrium. Kidney failure causes rapid accumulation of nitrogenous wastes in the blood. This condition can be acute-sudden but potentially reversible, or chronic-gradual, with few signs and symptoms in the early stages and irreversible.

Diabetes:
Type I (insulin-dependent or juvenile-onset diabetes): An autoimmune disease that occurs when the pancreas produces little to no insulin, a hormone necessary for the absorption of glucose into the cells. It is usually genetic and is characterized by high levels of blood glucose. Patients typically regulate their blood glucose through insulin injections.
Type II (insulin-independent or adult-onset diabetes): A disease that occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin or does not use insulin properly (insulin resistance). It is often associated with obesity. Patients typically treat this disorder with exercise and dietary modifications.

Hypertension: High blood pressure, or increased prolonged pressure against blood vessel walls. Can cause hardening of the blood vessels and lead to heart disease

Kidney: One of a pair of bean-shaped organs located in the posterior abdomen, one on each side of the spine. Each kidney is composed of more than one million nephrons that filter blood under high pressure, removing urea, salts, and other soluble wastes from the blood and returning the purified filtrate to the bloodstream. The kidneys process more than 2,500 pints of blood per day. The kidneys also produce the hormone EPO.