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Bladder, Kidney, and Prostate Health in Plain Language

Clear, reliable information about bladder, kidney, and prostate health, including conditions, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and cancer, explained in plain language.

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Kidney Cancer in Plain Language: In Plain Language for Patients and Families (Link leads to a list of available retailers.)

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Kidney Questions Answered in Plain Language

Start exploring below. Your kidneys do much more than make urine. They filter your blood, balance your fluids, control blood pressure, and support bone and red blood cell health. But how exactly do they do all this? This page is your one-stop resource for understanding how the kidneys work—one question at a time. Whether you are curious about how much urine is normal, what kidneys remove from the blood, or what happens with only one kidney, you will find simple, science-backed answers here. Each topic below links to a short article that explains one key question in plain language. These articles are designed for anyone to understand—no medical background needed. As new articles are published, they will be added to the list below. Bookmark this page and check back often for the latest updates. Foamy Urine in the Morning: Is It Normal or a Sign of a Problem? Can Dehydration Cause Foamy Urine? Does Foamy Urine Mean Protein in the Urine? What Causes Foamy Urine? What do the kidneys do in t...

Can Kidney Disease Be Reversed?

Kidney disease is a term that can cause immediate fear, especially when it appears in a blood test result or after a doctor mentions reduced kidney function. One of the first questions many people ask is whether kidney disease can be reversed. The answer depends mainly on the type of kidney problem involved. Some kidney problems are sudden and potentially reversible, while others are long-term and usually cannot be fully undone. The most important distinction is between acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease. Acute kidney injury, often called AKI, happens suddenly over hours or days. Chronic kidney disease, often called CKD, develops slowly over months or years. These two conditions are very different, and understanding the difference helps explain why some kidney problems can improve while others need long-term management. Acute Kidney Injury Can Often Be Reversed Acute kidney injury, as explained in What Is Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)? Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Reco...

What Are Normal Levels of Urea and Creatinine in the Blood?

Urea and creatinine are two important waste products found in your blood. They are measured through routine blood tests to help evaluate how well your kidneys are working. If your kidneys are healthy, they filter out these substances and remove them from the body through urine. When kidney function slows down, urea and creatinine levels can rise. Normal levels of urea, often reported as blood urea nitrogen (BUN), usually fall within the range of: 7 to 20 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter) BUN levels can vary depending on how much protein you eat, how hydrated you are, and whether you are taking certain medications. A slightly high or low level is not always a cause for concern, but a consistently elevated BUN may signal reduced kidney function or dehydration. Normal levels of creatinine in the blood are: 0.6 to 1.2 mg/dL for men 0.5 to 1.1 mg/dL for women Creatinine is produced by muscle metabolism and cleared by the kidneys. Unlike BUN, creatinine is less affected by diet, which makes i...