A number of infections, diseases, and disorders may afflict the kidneys, sometimes with fatal results. Nephritis, the most common of all kidney problems, is relatively easy to treat and is characterized by water retention and decreased urination. The kidneys are also frequently afflicted with urinary tract infections, which are usually associated with pain during urination and the development of kidney stones. Less common, but much more serious is nephrosis, a degenerative disorder that may result from a number of other conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease. If the kidneys degenerate to a great extent, the accumulation of wastes in the body may result in death. Thus, many people that suffer from such a condition opt to undergo periodic dialysis, an artificial means of blood filtration, while many others seek kidney transplants.