Kidneys can also be damaged by kidney infections, high blood pressure, diabetes, or blunt force trauma to the lower back where the kidneys are located. Arteriosclerosis can reduce blood flow to the kidneys, and tubules can become blocked. Irreversible damage to the kidneys may require a person to undergo dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Often, the first symptom of a kidney disorder or infection is the amount of urine or the changing characteristics of urine.

Dialysis is a medical procedure in which the composition of the plasma can be corrected through simple diffusion. Dialyzing fluid (dialysate) is separated from the patient's blood (uremic plasma) by thin semi-permeable membranes. Molecules and ions diffuse into or out of the patient's plasma, depending upon the composition of the dialysate. Thus, careful formulation of dialysate is the key to correcting the composition of uremic plasma.

In hemodialysis, diffusion occurs across artificial membranes. In peritoneal dialysis, it occurs across the intestinal lining (peritoneum). These procedures are illustrated.

Dialysis is not a long-term solution for people with kidney disease. A kidney transplant is often the best solution. Kidney transplants can be done with live donors with very good results.