Medical dictionary

What is proteinuria? Proteinuria is a condition that occurs when there is protein in the urine. A high amount is considered over 150 mg.   This condition should be borne in mind when diagnosing haematuria (blood in the urine) as if they are affecting an individual at the same time, it may be due to kidney disease. What are the symptoms? In the early stages of th

What is renal artery embolism? Renal artery embolism occurs when a blood clot travels from the heart or an aortic plaque to the renal tissue, causing a blockage to the artery carrying blood to the kidney. The area of reduced blood flow in the kidney will often have low perfusion (the passage of fluid), and is then referred to as a renal infarct. In some cases, total obstruction may occur,

What is renal artery stenosis? Renal artery stenosis is a disease in which one or more arteries carrying blood to the kidneys (renal arteries) are narrowed and can become obstructed. As a result, the kidneys do not receive sufficient oxygen-rich blood. Symptoms of renal artery stenosis Generally, symptoms do not become apparent until the disease has reached an advanced stage. In

What is renal denervation? Renal denervation is a relatively new minimally-invasive treatment that aims to reduce blood pressure in people with hypertension. Renal denervation is not widely practiced in the UK due to conflicting evidence over its effectiveness. Why is renal denervation performed? This treatment is performed in patients suffering from resistant hypertension. This diagn

What is renal papillary necrosis? Renal papillary necrosis is a disorder of the kidneys in which some or all of the renal papillae die. The renal papillae are the areas where the openings of the collecting ducts enter the kidney and where urine flows into the ureters. Prognosis The prognosis depends on the severity of the disease. In some cases the condition resolves by itself. In oth

What is renal vein thrombosis? Renal vein thrombosis occurs when a blood clot forms within one or both of the renal veins, obstructing the normal flow of blood from the kidneys. It primarily affects individuals with certain risk factors, such as kidney disease, trauma, infection, pregnancy, or conditions that cause hypercoagulability (increased blood clotting).   What are the cau

What is robotic-assisted surgery?Robotic-assisted surgery, or robotic surgery, using the da Vinci System, the Mako system by Stryker, among other systems, allows surgeons to perform surgical procedures in a very accurate way. Operations are performed with more precision, flexibility and control, compared to using conventional techniques. Robotic-assisted surgery is commonly associated wi

What is smoking cessation? Smoking cessation, or ‘quitting’, as it is more commonly referred to, is the process in which someone stops smoking tobacco. Tobacco contains an addictive substance called nicotine, which means the process of quitting can be very difficult for the individual, as they can experience withdrawal symptoms, just like in any other addiction.   Why

What is uremia?   Uremia (or uraemia) is a disorder of kidney function that occurs when the kidneys cannot properly remove urea from the body, so waste from urine accumulates in the blood and another series of diseases can occur.     What are the symptoms of uremia?   The main symptoms of this pathology are: asterixis (tremors) lethargy (prolong