What does a Cats’ Kidneys Do? Cats’ kidneys do many important things just like human kidneys. They help manage blood pressure, make hormones, stimulate the...

Thousands of patients each day undergo kidney dialysis treatment across the United States. These patients are at an increased risk for infection because the hemodialysis process requires frequent use of catheters or needles to access the bloodstream. Patients who undergo hemodialysis have weakened immune systems, which increase their risk for infection. They require frequent hospitalizations and surgery where they might acquire an infection.

Patients with kidney disease often hear words that start with the prefix nephro- (nephrology, nephrologist, nephrotic syndrome, nephropathy, nephrectomy). These words are derived from the Greek word nephros, which means kidney. How do these words relate to your kidney disease?