The Kidney Failure Glossary
Some terms listed have many meanings; only those meanings that relate to kidney failure and its treatment are included. Words that appear in bold italic are listed elsewhere in the dictionary.
Information in this dictionary is not a substitute for a visit to your doctor. Talk with a health professional if you have a problem with your kidney failure treatment.
The U.S. Government does not endorse or favor any specific commercial product or company. Trade, proprietary, or company names appearing in this document are used only because they are considered necessary in the context of the information provided. If a product is not mentioned, the omission does not mean or imply that the product is unsatisfactory.
Pronunciation Guide
This pronunciation guide uses letters and letter combinations, rather than phonetic symbols, to stand for the various sounds in the English language.
Vowels |
||
| a | cat, bat | |
| ah | father | |
| air | pear, hair | |
| ar | park | |
| ay | say, came, weigh | |
| aw | saw, bought | |
| e | bet, set | |
| eh | (used at the end of a syllable or when standing alone) examples: meadow (MEH-doh) enemy (EH-nuh-mee) but diet (DY-et) |
|
| ee | feet, neat | |
| i | sit, igloo | |
| ih | (used at the end of a syllable or when standing alone) examples: chicken (CHIH-ken) miracle (MIHR-ih-kuhl) but picnic (PIK-nik) |
|
| ihr | near, here | |
| y | fire, idol | |
| eye | (used at the beginning of a syllable or when standing alone) examples: iron (EYE-urn) chloride (KLOR-eyed) but silent (SY-luhnt) |
|
| o | hot, cot | |
| oh | coat, home | |
| oo | food, rude | |
| or | tore, soar, for | |
| oy | soil, boy | |
| ou | now, couch | |
| u | put, foot | |
| uh | about, sum, china | |
| ur | hurt, alert | |
| yoo | use | |
| yoor | cure | |
Consonants |
||
| b | bat, job | |
| ch | chop, itch | |
| d | dig, bed | |
| f | fur, tough, calf | |
| g | grape, big | |
| h | happy | |
| j | joke, nudge | |
| k | kite, car, tack | |
| l | lip, sell | |
| m | move, jam | |
| n | not, knee | |
| ng | ring | |
| p | play, hop | |
| r | rain, fur | |
| s | set, tips | |
| ss | bus, guess, fence | |
| sh | shy, fish | |
| t | toy, boat | |
| th | breath | |
| v | vine, have | |
| w | walk, where | |
| y | yes | |
| z | zip, jazz, has | |
| zh | measure | |
Acknowledgments
Publications produced by the Clearinghouse are carefully reviewed by both NIDDK scientists and outside experts. This publication was reviewed by Beth Ulrich, Ed.D., R.N., Editor, Nephrology Nursing Journal.
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About the Kidney Failure Series
The NIDDK Kidney Failure Series includes booklets and fact sheets that can help you learn more about treatment methods for kidney failure, complications of dialysis, financial help for the treatment of kidney failure, and eating right on hemodialysis. For free single printed copies of this series, please contact the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse.
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National Kidney Disease Education Program
3 Kidney Information Way
Bethesda, MD 20892
Phone: 1–866–4–KIDNEY (1–866–454–3639)
TTY: 1–866–569–1162
Fax: 301–402–8182
Email: nkdep@info.niddk.nih.gov
Internet: www.nkdep.nih.gov
The National Kidney Disease Education Program (NKDEP) is an initiative of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The NKDEP aims to raise awareness of the seriousness of kidney disease, the importance of testing those at high risk, and the availability of treatment to prevent or slow kidney disease.
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National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse
3 Information Way
Bethesda, MD 20892–3580
Phone: 1–800–891–5390
TTY: 1–866–569–1162
Fax: 703–738–4929
Email: nkudic@info.niddk.nih.gov
Internet: www.kidney.niddk.nih.gov
The National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NKUDIC) is a service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). The NIDDK is part of the National Institutes of Health of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Established in 1987, the Clearinghouse provides information about diseases of the kidneys and urologic system to people with kidney and urologic disorders and to their families, health care professionals, and the public. The NKUDIC answers inquiries, develops and distributes publications, and works closely with professional and patient organizations and Government agencies to coordinate resources about kidney and urologic diseases.
Publications produced by the Clearinghouse are carefully reviewed by both NIDDK scientists and outside experts.
This publication is not copyrighted. The Clearinghouse encourages users of this publication to duplicate and distribute as many copies as desired.
NIH Publication No. 11–4894
December 2010
Page last updated: March 23, 2012
