Kidney related diseases affect the working of the kidneys. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) keeps worsening the kidneys over time. Through this blog we will discuss kidney disease, causes, symptoms and diagnosis.
Kidneys are located at the bottom of the rib cage. Kidney diseases worsen kidney status and health with time. That makes your kidney functions to not function properly
Functions of Kidney
- Maintain the balance of water and minerals in your body
- Waste removal from blood
- Erythropoietin synthesis that promotes RBC/Red blood cell formation
- Produce hormone called renin, that helps in managing blood pressure
- Filter whole blood every 30 minutes
- Make vitamin D that helps in bone health, and other bodily functions
Types of Kidney Diseases
- Polycystic kidney disease
- Lupus nephritis
- Diabetes-related nephropathy
- Pyelonephritis/Recurrent kidney infection
- Nephrotic syndrome
- Membranous nephropathy
- Glomerulonephritis
- Vesicoureteral reflux
- Obstruction of the urinary tract
- Interstitial nephritis
- APOL1-mediated kidney disease
Causes of Kidney Disease
- Alcohol-related kidney disease
- Drugs and toxins causing kidney disease
- Diabetes
- Autoimmune diseases
- Acute renal failure
Symptoms of Kidney Diseases
Kidney diseases progress with time and worsen while producing symptoms like
- High blood pressure
- A metallic taste in your mouth
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Weakness
- Swelling in feet and ankles
- Chest pain if fluids get built around heat pericardium
- Shortness of breath if fluid is accumulated in the lungs
- Trouble thinking
- Sleep issues
- Muscle twitches
- Muscle cramps
- Persistent Itching
Risks of Developing Kidney Disease
You might develop the risk of kidney disease if you
- Have a family history of kidney disease
- Hace kidney size that is abnormal
- Have hypertension
- Have diabetes
- Have cardiac diseases
- Are aged over 60 years
- Have a history of long-term NSAIDS usage.
Complications of Kidney Diseases
Some complications of chronic kidney disease are
- Gout
- High blood pressure
- Heart and blood vessel diseases
- Heart attack
- Metabolic acidosis
- Anaemia
- Brittle bones
- Weak bones
- Fluid buildup in various parts causes feet swelling, ankles, and hand swelling
- Hyperkalemia
- Hyperphosphatemia
- High risk of infection
- Weak immune system
- Nerve damage
Diagnosis of Kidney Diseases
Your medical history can reveal a lot about your kidney’s health, after taking your medical history, your doctors will examine you physically. After the general checkup some special tests will be performed such as
Specific Blood Tests
To check GFR (glomerular filtration rate)- it can help know the efficiency of kidney and blood filtering ability.
Serum creatinine level- your serum creatinine levels can tell about your kidney's waste filtration efficiency. Creatinine is the waste produced by your body's muscles that is normally excreted from your body through urine. Abnormal rise in creatinine levels signifies your kidneys malfunctioning.
Urine Test
Urine tests can help find abnormal albumin protein levels in your pee that are a sign of kidney damage.
It can detect blood cells in your urine.
Kidney Biopsy
Kidney biopsy requires removal of small tissue pieces from your kidneys while you are under sedation. The tissue sample can tell about the kidney disease.
Ultrasound Scan
It produces clear images of the kidney that can help examine the urinary system for any abnormality.
CT Scan
A CT scan uses ionising radiations to produce clear images of your kidneys to help your doctor determine and diagnose certain kidney related diseases.
MRI Scan
MRI scan doesn't use any radiation but radio waves and strong magnets to produce clear images of the kidneys that can help your doctor to diagnose kidney diseases in a safe environment.
How Is Kidney Disease Treated?
Your kidney disease treatment usually focuses on controlling the cause of disease.
- Drugs and medication
Drugs like ACE inhibitors or ARBs are used such as- Enalapril (Vasotec)
- Fosinopril (monopril)
- Captopril (Capoten)
- Ramipril (Altace)
- Losartan (Cozaar)
- Valsartan (Diovan)
- Olmesatan (Benicar)
- Eprosartan (teveten)
- Medicines to avoid
- Aspirin
- Ibuprofen
- Naproxen
- Celecoxib
- NSAIDs
- PPI
- Diet for kidney- your doctor will suggest you to take lower sodium, protein, potassium and phosphate diet
- Dialysis of kidney
- Kidney transplant as the last resort
- Lifestyle changes that include
- Managing diabetes through insulin injections
- Reduce salt intake
- Eat heart healthy diet
- Limit alcohol consumption
- Quit smoking
- Stay active physically
- Maintain moderate weight
Conclusion
High blood pressure and diabetes usually cause kidney diseases that usually dosent produce early warning signs for chronic kidney disease. You can get your urine and blood tested if your doctor fears you having Chronic kidney diseases. If it dosnet get resolved by general measures and medication, the last resort remains kidney transplant.
