Kidney Disease: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention
The kidneys filter waste and excess fluid from the blood, so kidney disease can either be acute or chronic, depending on how quickly it develops and how long it lasts. It is a life-threatening situation requiring dialysis or kidney transplant to survive. Kidney failure occurs suddenly and is usually treated with medication, while chronic kidney disease progresses slowly and may lead to kidney failure.
Causes of Kidney Disease
Some of the possible causes of kidney disease are:
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High blood sugar can damage the blood vessels in the kidneys and reduce their ability to filter blood. Diabetes is the most common cause of chronic kidney disease.
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High blood pressure: High blood pressure is a condition that increases the force of blood against the walls of the arteries. It is the second leading cause of chronic kidney disease after high blood pressure. High blood pressure damages the blood vessels in the kidneys and reduces their ability to filter blood.
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The glomeruli, the tiny filters in the kidneys, are irritated in glomerulonephritis, a group of diseases. Infections, autoimmune disorders, or genetic factors can cause glomerulonephritis. Acute or chronic kidney disease can result from glomerulonephritis.
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Multiple cysts (fluid-filled sacs) grow in the kidneys in polycystic kidney disease, a genetic disorder. One of the most common inherited causes of chronic kidney disease is polycystic kidney disease, which can cause the kidney tissue to enlarge, damage, and reduce function.
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Symptoms of urinary tract infections include inflammation and damage to the bladder, ureters, or urethra, the parts of the urinary system that carry urine out of the body. Urinary tract infections are more common in women than in men. Urinary tract infections can spread to the kidneys.
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A kidney stone is a hard deposit of minerals and salts that forms in the kidneys or the urinary tract. A kidney stone can block the flow of urine and cause pain, bleeding, and infection. A kidney stone can also damage the kidney tissue and reduce its function.
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When taken in large amounts or over a long period of time, drugs and toxins can harm the kidneys. Drugs and toxins that can cause kidney disease include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antibiotics, contrast dyes, chemotherapy, alcohol, and illegal drugs.
Symptoms of Kidney Disease
The symptoms of kidney disease may vary depending on the type, cause, and severity of the condition. Some of the common symptoms are:
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In addition to increased or decreased urine output, foamy or bloody urine, difficulty or pain when urinating, or the need to urinate at night, kidney disease can affect the amount, frequency, color, and quality of urine.
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In addition to kidney disease, heart failure, liver disease, and malnutrition can cause swelling in the ankles, feet, legs, hands, and face.
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Kidney disease can cause a buildup of waste products and toxins in the blood, which can affect the digestive system and lead to nausea and vomiting.ch stimulates the bone marrow to make red blood cells.
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Kidney disease can cause a buildup of waste products and toxins in the blood, which can affect the digestive system and lead to nausea and vomiting.
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An accumulation of waste products and toxins in the body can cause itching in the skin. Itching can also be a sign of allergies, dry skin, or liver disease.
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Kidney disease can cause a loss of appetite, which can result in weight loss and malnutrition. Loss of appetite is also a sign of depression, cancer, or infections.
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Sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium imbalances in the blood can cause muscle cramps if kidney disease is present. Muscle cramps, spasms, or twitching can be caused by an imbalance of electrolytes in the body, which regulate fluid balance, nerve function, and muscle contraction.
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As a result of kidney disease, high blood pressure can damage the blood vessels in the brain, causing headaches. High blood pressure can cause high pressure, which increases pressure on the arteries. In addition to stress, migraines, and sinus infections, headaches can also be signs of other conditions.
Diagnosis of Kidney Disease
To diagnose kidney disease, the doctor will ask about the history, symptoms, and risk factors of the condition. The doctor will also perform a physical examination and some tests, such as:
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Tests of blood can be used to determine how well the kidneys are functioning by measuring creatinine, urea, and other waste products. In addition to electrolytes and blood cells, blood tests can also be used to detect kidney disease-related changes.
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Tests of urine can detect blood, proteins, bacteria, or other substances that may indicate kidney damage or infection by measuring the amount and quality of urine.
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Images of the kidneys and urinary tract can be obtained using imaging tests, which can show the organs' size, shape, and structure. X-rays, ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) scans, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans are some examples of imaging tests. They can detect cysts, stones, tumors, and other abnormalities.
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A kidney biopsy is a procedure that involves taking a small sample of kidney tissue and examining it under a microscope. It can help determine the type and cause of kidney disease, as well as the extent of kidney damage.
Treatment of Kidney Disease
It is important to treat kidney disease according to the type, cause, and severity of the condition. Some of the possible treatments include:
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Diabetics, high blood pressure, and infections are some of the causes of kidney disease that can be treated with medications. Anemia, swelling, and bone disease are other symptoms and complications of kidney disease that can be relieved with medication. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), diuretics, erythropoietin, iron, phosphate binders, and vitamin D are just a few of the medications that can be prescribed.
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Diet and lifestyle changes: Changing your diet and lifestyle can help prevent or delay kidney disease from worsening. Some of the symptoms and complications of kidney disease, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or malnutrition, can also be managed through diet and lifestyle changes. Diet and lifestyle changes include limiting salt, protein, potassium, phosphorus, and fluid intake, quitting smoking, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy weight.
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Dialysis: Dialysis is a treatment that filters the blood and removes the waste products and excess fluid from the body when the kidneys cannot do so. Dialysis can be performed in two ways: hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. A dialyzer and a machine are used in hemodialysis to clean the blood, while dialysate and the lining of the abdomen are used in peritoneal dialysis. Depending on the type and frequency of dialysis, dialysis can be performed at a hospital, a dialysis center, or at home.
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The kidney transplant is a procedure in which a damaged kidney is replaced by a healthy one from a donor. The kidneys can be restored to normal function after a kidney transplant, but there are risks associated with the surgery and anti-rejection drugs, such as rejection, infection, and complications.
Prevention of Kidney Disease
Some of the ways to prevent or reduce the risk of kidney disease are:
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Diabetes and high blood pressure are among the leading causes of kidney disease, so controlling them can help protect the kidneys. The best way to do this is to follow the doctor's recommendations regarding medication, diet, exercise, and blood sugar and blood pressure monitoring.
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The kidneys can be damaged by drugs and toxins if they are taken in large amounts or for a long period of time, so it is important to avoid or limit them. Drugs and toxins that can cause kidney disease include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antibiotics, contrast dye, chemotherapy, alcohol, and illegal drugs.
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The kidneys can be flushed out of waste products and toxins with water, which prevents dehydration, which can adversely affect their function. Water intake varies based on age, weight, activity level, and climate, but it is generally recommended that we drink 8 to 10 glasses of water a day.
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It is important to quit smoking: Smoking damages kidney blood vessels and reduces oxygen and blood flow. In addition to affecting kidneys, smoking can also cause high blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer. Quitting smoking will improve kidney health as well as overall health.
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Getting regular checkups can help detect and treat any problems that could affect your kidneys, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or urinary tract infections. By measuring blood pressure, blood creatinine, and urine protein levels, regular check-ups can also be used to monitor kidney function and kidney disease progression.
A kidney disease can affect quality of life and life expectancy, but it can be managed and its complications reduced with proper diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. If you have any signs or symptoms of kidney disease, or if you have any risk factors for kidney disease, you should consult your doctor immediately.
