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Important things to know about kidney problems

Important things to know about kidney problems

Kidney diseases are some of the most common and life-threatening conditions that affect patients worldwide. These diseases lead to kidney function failure over time. It can be caused by various factors, including environmental toxins, genetic predispositions, and unhealthy lifestyle choices. Kidney disease can lead to severe health complications such as acute renal failure (ARF), chronic kidney disease (CKD), or chronic renal failure (CRF). A healthy kidney is a sign of a healthy body and lifestyle.

The function of the kidney
The kidney is an essential organ that performs many functions in the body. It filters the blood, removes waste products and excess water from the body, and helps maintain a person’s balance of electrolytes like sodium and potassium. Kidneys help maintain their normal levels of salt concentration which is essential for the proper functioning of every cell tissue in the body because, without adequate amounts of salt, no cells can function properly. The kidney also plays a vital role in regulating blood pressure and volume by keeping them at appropriate levels through urine production. The kidneys also regulate fluid balance in your body by removing excess water from urine and adding extra water into the urine when necessary for your body tissues not to be dehydrated. 

Kidney failure is when a person’s kidneys cannot function properly due to disease or injury; this condition can be fatal if left untreated.

What is kidney disease?
Kidney disease is a general term that describes any condition that affects the kidneys. The most common types of kidney diseases are acute and chronic.

An infection, trauma, or surgery causes kidney diseases. They usually develop rapidly and cause symptoms such as fever, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain before progressing to a cushingoid appearance with high blood pressure and swelling in the feet or legs due to fluid retention—a condition called edema—and ultimately death if untreated.

What are acute kidney diseases?
Acute kidney diseases are a group of conditions that cause critical damage to the kidneys. They include:

  • Stones in the urinary tract can cause pain and bleeding
  • Injury to the organ that causes it to stop working correctly. This can lead to infections or more severe complications such as infection with bloodstream-borne bacteria (sepsis), blood poisoning, and organ failure.

What are chronic kidney diseases?
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a condition that can lead to kidney failure. It is often called CKD because it refers to the damage of the kidneys over time rather than an acute injury that causes immediate symptoms. Chronic kidney diseases also occur when:

  • There are long-lasting viral illnesses such as HIV, AIDS, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C 
  • Prolonged lead poisoning and long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
  • Immune system diseases like lupus nephritis
  • Polycystic kidney diseases occur

What are the symptoms of kidney disease?
Kidney problems can cause many different symptoms, but the most common ones include the following:

  • Pain in the back, sides, or abdomen
  • Fever
  • Tiredness and fatigue
  • Loss of appetite, leading to rapid drop in BMI levels
  • Increased urination (frequent urination) or decreased urination (fewer than usual)
  • Clouded mind
  • A metallic taste in the mouth
  • Swelling of feet and ankles due to edema
  • Muscle twitches and cramps
  • Nausea and vomiting

How to diagnose kidney diseases?
When you suspect that your kidney disease is severe and needs a health examination, the doctor will do these tests:

Blood tests to check for protein in the blood (albumin) levels and kidney function.

Urine tests to look for protein in urine or albumin in feces. This can help diagnose whether there is an infection affecting your kidneys or not enough oxygen being delivered to them by disease-causing bacteria.

  • Doctors also conduct imaging tests such as ultrasound for a clear visual view of the kidneys.
  • In extreme situations, a kidney biopsy is performed. A sample of the kidney tissue is removed to be sent to a lab for a thorough checkup. 

What are the treatment methods for kidney diseases?
There are different treatment options that are recommended to the patient depending on the severity of the condition and the overall health of the one affected.

  • Kidney transplant
    This is the most effective treatment method for kidney diseases. A kidney transplant is when a healthy person’s organs are donated to someone else who needs them.
  • Dialysis
    This is used in cases where the kidneys fail to function correctly. The blood in your body flows through tubes connecting one set of kidneys to another (or even two different sets). This process helps remove waste from your body.
  • Prescription option
    Many prescriptions are available today, specifically designed for chronic kidney disease patients. Symptoms like high blood pressure may lead to heart disease in the future, depending on how severe they become over time without treatment options.

What is a kidney transplant?
A kidney transplant is a procedure that replaces one or both damaged kidneys with functioning, healthy ones. It is the only treatment for end-stage renal disease (ESRD), which means that your kidneys have lost most of their function and cannot filter out waste products from the blood.

Once the functioning kidneys are transplanted into your body, they work as normal ones do—they filter wastes from your bloodstream and release them into urine through tiny tubes called ureters. You may also notice changes in how often you urinate.

Caring for the kidneys
Kidney disease is a severe condition. It can affect the way your kidneys work and lead to complications, including:

  • High blood pressure (hypertension)
  • Heart failure and heart disease
  • Diabetic retinopathy, which is damage caused by diabetes mellitus (DM) in the eyes

Kidney problems are common in people with HIV/AIDS, but this does not mean you should avoid getting tested for kidney diseases altogether! However, you should still make sure that you are checking your levels regularly when you have regular checkups with your doctor or healthcare provider.

Kidney diseases are a severe health concern for many people. If you suspect your loved one has kidney disease, consult your healthcare provider immediately.

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