A B C D E G H I K L N O P S T U V
acute (uh-KYOOT):
Acute often means urgent. An acute disease happens suddenly. It lasts a short time. Acute is the opposite of chronic, or long lasting.
albuminuria (AL-byoo-mih-NOO-ree-uh):
More than normal amounts of a protein called albumin in the urine. Albuminuria may be a sign of kidney disease.
antidiuretic (AN-tee-DY-uh-RET-ik) hormone (ADH):
A natural body chemical that slows down the production of urine. Some children who wet their beds regularly may lack normal amounts of antidiuretic hormone. Also called vasopressin.
anuria (uh-NYOO-ree-uh):
A condition in which the body stops making urine.
balloon dilation (dy-LAY-shun):
A treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia or prostate enlargement. A tiny balloon is inflated inside the urethra to make it wider so urine can flow more freely from the bladder.
benign (be-NINE) prostatic (prah-STAT-ik) hyperplasia (HY-per-PLAY-sha) (BPH):
An enlarged prostate not caused by cancer. BPH can cause problems with urination because the prostate squeezes the urethra at the opening of the bladder.
biopsy (BY-op-see):
A procedure in which a tiny piece of a body part, such as the kidney or bladder, is removed for examination under a microscope.
bladder (BLAD-ur):
The balloon-shaped organ inside the pelvis that holds urine.
bladder control:
See continence.
blood urea (yoo-REE-uh) nitrogen (NY-truh-jen) (BUN):
A waste product in the blood that comes from the breakdown of food protein. The kidneys filter blood to remove urea. As kidney function decreases, the BUN level increases.
calcium (KAL-see-um):
A mineral that the body needs for strong bones and teeth. Calcium may form stones in the kidney.
catheter (KATH-uh-ter):
A tube that is inserted through the urethra to the bladder to drain urine.
chronic (KRAH-nik):
Lasting a long time. Chronic diseases develop slowly. Chronic kidney disease may develop over many years and lead to end-stage renal disease.
chronic prostatitis (PRAH-stah-TY-tis):
Inflammation of the prostate gland, developing slowly and lasting a long time.
collagen (KAHL-uh-jen):
The major protein found in tissues, cartilage, and bones. Collagen injections are used to treat stress urinary incontinence.
continence (KON-tih-nents):
The ability to control the timing of urination or a bowel movement.
cystine (SIS-teen) stone:
A rare form of kidney stone consisting of the amino acid cystine.
cystinuria (SIS-tih-NOO-ree-uh):
A condition in which urine contains high levels of the amino acid cystine. If cystine does not dissolve in the urine, it can build up to form kidney stones.
cystitis (sis-TY-tis):
Inflammation of the bladder, causing pain and a burning feeling in the pelvis or urethra.
cystocele (SIS-toh-seel):
Fallen bladder. When the bladder falls or sags from its normal position down to the pelvic floor, it can cause either urinary leakage or urinary retention.
cystometrogram (SIS-toh-MET-roh-gram):
A line graph that records urinary bladder pressure at various volumes.
cystoscope (SIS-toh-scope):
A tube-like instrument used to look inside the bladder. The procedure is called cystoscopy (sis-TAH-skuh-pee).
desmopressin:
A synthetic form of antidiuretic hormone used to treat enuresis and diabetes insipidus.
diabetes (dy-uh-BEE-teez) insipidus (in-SIP-ih-dus):
A disease of the pituitary gland or kidney. The signs of diabetes insipidus are a need to drink and urinate often and a feeling of weakness. However, blood glucose (sugar) levels are normal. (See also nephrogenic diabetes insipidus.)
diabetes (dy-uh-BEE-teez) mellitus (MELL-ih-tus):
A condition characterized by high blood glucose (sugar) resulting from the body's inability to use glucose efficiently. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas makes little or no insulin; in type 2 diabetes, the body is resistant to the effects of available insulin.
enuresis (EN-yoo-REE-sis):
Urinary incontinence not caused by a physical disorder.
erectile (ee-REK-tile) dysfunction (dis-FUNK-shun):
The inability to get or maintain an erection for satisfactory sexual intercourse. Also called impotence.
erection (ee-REK-shun):
Enlargement and hardening of the penis caused by increased blood flow into the penis and decreased blood flow out of it as a result of sexual excitement.
extracorporeal (EKS-truh-kor-POR-ee-ul) shockwave lithotripsy (LITH-oh-TRIP-see) (ESWL):
A nonsurgical procedure using shock waves to break up kidney stones.