Discusses kidney biopsy (also called percutaneous renal biopsy) done with a long, thin needle to remove a sample of kidney tissue. Covers how it may be done to check for kidney disease or after a kidney transplant. Explains how it's done, risks, and results.

Kidney failure caused by chronic kidney disease occurs when kidney damage is so severe that a person needs dialysis or a kidney transplant to maintain life. Kidney failure often occurs after kidney damage has been present for 10 years or more. Diabetes and high blood pressure are the most common causes of kidney failure...

Guides through decision about what type of dialysis to have for kidney failure. Explains the two basic types of dialysis: hemodialysis and peritoneal. Covers benefits and risks. Includes an interactive tool to help you make your decision.

If you have diabetes, your kidneys could become damaged over time. Diabetic kidney disease is sometimes called diabetic nephropathy. In severe cases, it can lead to kidney failure. Diabetic kidney disease usually has no symptoms in the early stages. So it's important to have regular tests. They can alert you and your...

Symptoms of a kidney infection may include: Pain in the flank, which is felt just below the rib cage and above the waist on one or both sides of the back. Fever or chills. Pain or burning when you urinate. A frequent urge to urinate without being able to pass much urine. Belly pain.

Kidney stones are made of salts and minerals in the urine that stick together to form small "pebbles." They may form when the normal balance of water, salts, minerals, and other substances found in urine changes. How this balance changes determines the type of kidney stone you have. Most kidney stones are...

Kidney stones are made of salts and minerals in the urine that stick together to form small "pebbles." They are usually painless while they remain in the kidney. But they can cause severe pain when small pieces leave the kidney and travel through the narrow tubes (ureters) to the bladder. Symptoms of a kidney stone...

Explains why and how kidney stones form. Covers types of stones such as calcium, cystine, uric acid, and struvite. Discusses symptoms. Covers treatment, including extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy and ureteroscopy. Offers prevention tips.

Find the source and stop the pain of kidney stones. Hard masses that grow from crystals forming in the kidneys, they typically cause severe back pain that may radiate to the groin area. According to research or other evidence, the following self-care steps may be helpful. Drink plenty of fluids Water, lemonade, and most...

Offers tips for changing your diet to help prevent kidney stones. Discusses water, protein, and fiber needs and limiting or avoiding certain foods and supplements. Includes tips for people who've had a calcium or oxalate kidney stone.

Discusses surgery to replace a diseased kidney with a healthy one. Explains what a living donor is. Covers what to expect after surgery. Looks at risks. Links to picture of kidney transplant. Links to more in-depth info on organ transplant.

Learn what happens during a kidney transplant and how to prepare.

The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs located on either side of the spine, at the small of the back. The kidneys filter wastes from the blood and help balance water, salt, and mineral levels in the blood. Wastes filtered out of the blood are carried out of the body as urine. Urine flows through tubes (ureters) to the...

Africanized honeybees are called "killer bees" because they aggressively attack in great numbers, leading to massive stinging incidents. The large amount of venom injected by many bees at one time can cause death. The venom of the Africanized honeybee is no more likely to cause an allergic reaction or toxic reaction...