Medical dictionary

What is haematuria? Haematuria is the presence of blood in the urine. Bleeding may arise from any part of the urinary tract. The urinary tract includes the kidneys (most people have two, where urine is made), ureters (the tubes connecting each kidney to the bladder), the bladder, the prostate gland (in men) and the urethra.      Is haematuria always visible? There

What is hypercholesterolemia? Hypercholesterolemia is an increase in the level of cholesterol in the blood above what is considered normal. The elevated level of cholesterol is related to coronary problems, lifestyle, gender, and diet. Various factors play a role in the disease; genetic and dietary factors need to be taken into account, as well as other ones related to physical activity.

What is hypertension? Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a common chronic condition where your resting blood pressure is persistently higher than what is considered a normal reading of 120/80mmHg (millimetres of mercury). If your systolic pressure (the force of your blood against the artery walls when your heart beats) is persistently higher than 140mmHg and your diastolic pr

What is a kidney biopsy? A kidney biopsy (or renal biopsy) is a diagnostic test in which the nephrologist extracts a small piece of tissue from the patient’s kidney to examine in a laboratory for signs of disease or kidney damage.   Why is a kidney biopsy done? A kidney biopsy may be performed to diagnose or determine the severity of a suspected kidney problem, to m

What is kidney cancer? Kidney cancer, sometimes referred to as renal cancer, is a type of cancer affecting the kidneys which most commonly occurs in people over the age of 60. It is one of the commonest cancers in the UK. There are different types of kidney cancer: renal cell carcinoma transitional cell carcinoma Wilm’s tumour Kidney cancers are graded on a scale of one-fou

What is pyelonephritis? Kidney infection, or pyelonephritis is a condition that causes one or two kidneys to become infected, resulting in inflammation. The infection first affects the lower urinary tract - usually the bladder - and then the kidneys, as it moves upstream.  It can be of two types: Acute: it is sudden and severe, and caused by a bacterial urinary trac

What exactly are kidney stones, and how big are they? Kidney stones are solid masses, or, in other words, hard stone-like lumps, that form in the kidney or ureter (the tube that connects the kidneys to the bladder) as a result of substances in the urine. The size of a kidney stone can vary, but most typically they are as small as a grain of sand or as big as a pearl.   What

What is a kidney transplant? A kidney transplant is an operation that involves placing a healthy kidney in a person with kidney failure. To do so a kidney donated by a healthy individual is required. This can either come from a living donor, related or not with the patient, or from a deceased person.   When are kidney transplantations needed? This treatment is indicated for pa

What is lupus? Lupus is a disease that damages the immune system, occurring as a result of your own immune system mistakenly attacking healthy cells and tissues. This can cause damage to many parts of the body, including the joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, blood vessels, and brain. There are, in fact, many different types of lupus. The main ones include the following: