Kidney Disease
The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs. Each kidney is about the size of a fist. Your kidneys filter extra water and wastes out of your blood and make urine. Kidney disease means your kidneys are damaged and can’t filter blood the way they should.
You are at greater risk for kidney disease if you have diabetes or high blood pressure. If you experience kidney failure, treatments include kidney transplant or dialysis. Other kidney problems include acute kidney injury, kidney cysts, kidney stones, and kidney infections.
Understanding Your Kidneys & CKD
Children & Youth
Kidney Disease Topics
Chronic Kidney Disease
Kidney Failure
Community Health & Outreach
Kidney Disease for Health Professionals
Healthy Moments Radio
Listen to health tips from Dr. Rodgers in his weekly 1-minute episodes.
- NIDDK Research and Training Opportunities for Young People
- The Importance of Diversity in Health Research
- The Link Between Type 2 Diabetes and Chronic Kidney Disease
Clinical Trials
Watch a video of NIDDK Director Dr. Griffin P. Rodgers explaining the importance of participating in clinical trialsResearch Discoveries & News
- NIH-supported study suggests alternative to race-based kidney function calculations
- Robust Research Pipeline Ensures Exquisite Data Quality Control, Paving the Path Toward Personalized Kidney Care
- Multidisciplinary Approach Uncovers Potential New Biomarker for Kidney Function
- Identifying children at increased risk of chronic kidney disease progression