Kidney disease is any of a number of chronic conditions that affect the function of the kidneys. They are generally classified by whether they are inflammatory (Nephritis) or non-inflammatory (Nephrosis). In serious cases, it leads to insufficiency, then failure, then death because of uremia.
The most common causes of kidney disease are IgA nephropathy, long term use of analgesics, the use of contrast material containing iodine, polycystic kidney disease, and chemotherapy.
Dialysis can be used as a short-term measure, but the only effective treatment is a kidney transplant.