Understand your kidneys.
Choose your next step with confidence.
Practical explanations of kidney tests, common conditions, blood pressure, daily living and advanced treatment options.
Understanding your kidneys
What Does a Nephrologist Do—and When Should You See One?
A nephrologist is a physician who evaluates kidney disease, difficult blood pressure, fluid balance and related blood-test problems. Seeing a kidney specialist does not mean you need dialysis.
Read chapter Chapter 02High Creatinine: What It Means and When to See a Kidney Specialist
Understand what high creatinine can mean, how blood and urine results differ, what eGFR adds and when kidney evaluation may be appropriate.
Read chapterCommon kidney conditions
Chronic Kidney Disease: Understanding Your Stage and Next Steps
Chronic kidney disease means kidney abnormalities have persisted for at least three months. Understanding your eGFR, urine albumin and their changes over time is more useful than a stage label alone.
Read chapter Chapter 04Protein in Your Urine: What It Means and What Happens Next
Protein in urine can be a sign that the kidney filters are leaking. A repeat test and measurement of urine albumin help distinguish a temporary finding from a persistent kidney concern.
Read chapter Chapter 08Acute Kidney Injury: Recovery and Follow-Up After Hospitalization
Acute kidney injury, or AKI, is a sudden decline in kidney function. Follow-up after illness or hospitalization helps assess recovery, check medicines and identify continuing kidney problems.
Read chapter Chapter 09High Potassium, Low Sodium and Other Electrolyte Problems
Electrolytes are minerals involved in nerve, muscle and fluid balance. Abnormal potassium or sodium may need prompt attention even when you do not feel unwell.
Read chapter Chapter 10Kidney Stones: Prevention and Choosing the Right Specialist
Urologists often manage stones that need procedures or relief of a blockage. Nephrologists may help investigate why stones recur and develop a prevention plan. Some patients need both.
Read chapter Chapter 11Blood in Your Urine: Which Evaluation Do You Need?
Blood in urine may be visible or found only on testing. Causes range from infection and stones to kidney or urinary-tract conditions. It should be assessed rather than assumed to be harmless.
Read chapterHeart, blood pressure & diabetes
Difficult-to-Control Blood Pressure: When a Specialist Can Help
Understand readings, home monitoring, kidney connections and specialist evaluation.
Read chapter Chapter 06Diabetes and Your Kidneys: Finding Problems Early
Diabetes can damage the kidneys before symptoms appear. Blood and urine testing help identify problems early and guide a plan that protects kidney and cardiovascular health.
Read chapter Chapter 07Your Heart and Kidneys: Why They Need Care Together
The heart and kidneys influence each other through blood flow, blood pressure and fluid balance. A coordinated plan can help your clinicians interpret symptoms and choose appropriate monitoring.
Read chapter Chapter 12Swelling in Your Legs: Could It Be Your Kidneys or Heart?
Leg swelling has many causes, including vein problems, medicines, heart conditions and kidney disease. The pattern and associated symptoms help determine the right evaluation.
Read chapterTreatment & daily living
Medicines, Supplements and Kidney Health
Kidney function can affect how medicines are cleared, and some products can affect kidney function or electrolytes. A complete medication review helps balance benefits and risks.
Read chapter Chapter 14Eating Well With Kidney Disease: Practical Choices
There is no single kidney diet for everyone. Nutrition advice depends on kidney function, blood and urine results, medicines, appetite and whether you receive dialysis.
Read chapterAdvanced kidney care & treatment options
Advanced Kidney Disease: Planning Your Next Steps
Advanced kidney disease is a reason to plan ahead, not to assume that dialysis must start immediately. Decisions consider symptoms, laboratory changes, treatment suitability and what matters to you.
Read chapter Chapter 16Understanding Dialysis: When It May Be Needed and Your Options
Dialysis replaces part of the kidneys' work by removing waste and extra fluid. It may be needed temporarily after some kidney injuries or long term when kidney failure requires treatment.
Read chapter Chapter 17Hemodialysis: What to Expect and Understanding Your Access
Hemodialysis moves blood through a filter outside the body to remove waste and extra fluid. Treatment requires a suitable access and a prescribed schedule monitored by your dialysis team.
Read chapter Chapter 18Peritoneal Dialysis: How It Works and Everyday Life
Peritoneal dialysis, or PD, uses the lining inside your abdomen to help filter waste and extra fluid. A catheter allows dialysis solution to enter and leave, usually as part of a home treatment routine.
Read chapter Chapter 19Home Dialysis Therapies: Comparing Options, Training and Support
Home dialysis includes peritoneal dialysis and home hemodialysis. The best fit depends on medical suitability, training, available support and the routine you want to build.
Read chapter Chapter 20Kidney Transplant Education: Evaluation, Living Donation and Follow-Up
A kidney transplant places a donor kidney into the body to take over much of the kidneys' work. Evaluation, donor assessment and long-term treatment are managed by a transplant center.
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