Kidneys are the filter organs of the human body. Two bean-shaped organs, one located on each side of the spine just above the waist, are responsible for filtering out body waste. For this, it filters the blood and separates toxins, waste and excess water. The filtered-out materials are eliminated from the body in the form of urine. But the onset of kidney disease slows down the excretion process. If not managed well, the condition can progress into kidney failure. Let us understand kidney disease and the early signs of kidney failure.
What is a Kidney Disease?
When the kidneys fail to perform optimally, it marks the onset of kidney disease. Kidney dysfunction can be slow and progressive, leading to chronic kidney disease or sudden and fast, as in acute kidney disease. Under both circumstances, the kidneys fail to filter out excess water and waste from the blood. As the toxic waste is not excreted and circulates within the body, it poses serious health complications and is potentially life-threatening.
Causes of Kidney Disease
Depending upon the type of kidney disease – acute kidney disease or chronic kidney disease, the causes of kidney disease vary. These are:
Causes of Acute Kidney Disease
- Impaired blood supply to the kidneys
- Direct injury to the kidneys
- Urine backing up in the kidneys
These situations emerge when:
- You suffer a traumatic injury with acute blood loss
- You suffer from chronic dehydration, which leads to break down of muscle tissue
- You suffer from a severe infection
- There is an enlarged prostate or kidney, a stone that obstructs urine flow.
- You are addicted to a certain category of drugs that directly damage the kidneys.
- You had complications during pregnancy such as eclampsia and preeclampsia
- You suffer from autoimmune diseases
- You suffer from chronic heart disease or liver infection
Causes of Chronic Kidney Disease
A kidney disease that lasts for at least three months or longer is classed as chronic kidney disease. Chronic kidney disease does not have clear symptoms at its onset. As the condition slowly progresses, the signs of kidney problem become evident. The causes of chronic kidney disease are:
- Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High blood sugar levels
- Autoimmune diseases like lupus
- Viral infections like HIV AIDS, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C
- Pyelonephritis, a type of urinary tract infection
- Inflammation in the kidneys due to infection
- Polycystic kidney disease
- Birth defect
- Drug abuse
Risk Factor for Kidney Disease
While kidney disease can affect anyone, certain people are at higher risk of developing the disease. These are:
- People with a family history
- Elderly people
- Obese people
- People suffering from chronic heart disease
- People who sustained kidney damage
- Dark skinned people
Signs of Kidney Problem
As chronic kidney disease is a slow and progressive condition, its symptoms surface gradually. The symptoms do not overpower health until the disease is advanced. On the other hand, acute kidney damage symptoms are instantly visible. In either case, the signs of kidney problem are:
- High blood pressure
- Reduced urine output
- Increased urine output, especially at night
- Dark coloured urine
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Metallic taste in the mouth
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Reduced mental alertness
- Sleep issues
- Muscle cramps
- Swollen feet and ankles
- Itchy skin
In advanced stages of kidney disease, chest pain and shortness of breath are evident symptoms due to fluid build-up around the heart lining and lungs, respectively.
Kidney Disease Diagnosis
The first step to kidney disease diagnosis is self-assessment. Once you notice signs of kidney problem, consult a doctor. Your doctor will ask questions about medical and family history and conduct a physical examination. A series of investigative tests will also be prescribed. These include:
- Blood tests that quantify the waste products in the blood
- Urine analyses help detect the level of toxins in the urine. The presence of albumin, a protein produced by the liver, in the urine indicates kidney disease.
- Imaging tests like ultrasound to check the size, shape and condition of the kidneys
- Kidney biopsy to assess the cause of kidney problem
Stages of Kidney Disease
The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) helps ascertain the extent of kidney problems. This is done by evaluating the levels of creatinine in the blood. This helps determine the stage of kidney disease.
Chronic kidney disease can be divided into four stages:
- Stage 1 – The GFR rate is slightly abnormal, and the physical examination shows evidence of kidney damage.
- Stage 2 – While the GFR rate is slightly abnormal, the imaging scans show additional signs of kidney damage.
- Stage 3 – The GFR rate is significantly below normal, indicating kidney dysfunction. However, most people in Stage 3 will not have evident symptoms like swelling, fluid retention, dark urine, etc.
- Stage 4 – This is marked as a severe condition with kidney disease symptoms that are widely evident.
- Stage 5 – This is the end-stage condition signaling kidney failure. As the organ fails to function, the condition turns life-threatening.
Kidney Disease Treatment
A kidney disease treatment plan depends upon the stage of the kidney disease. For diagnosis in stages 1-3, kidney disease treatment typically revolves around treating symptoms and managing side effects. This is particularly done with the help of diet alteration and medicines. These include:
- Treating high blood pressure
- Correcting anaemia
- Maintaining phosphate balance
- Treating skin itching
- Correcting vitamin D deficiency
- Reducing fluid retention
Symptom-specific kidney disease treatment can help the kidneys heal and recover gradually. Complete recovery is possible in cases of acute kidney disease. Once the cause of the kidney problem is addressed, the kidneys begin to function normally. However, for chronic kidney disease, the damage is permanent. For patients in stages 4 and 5 of kidney disease, the treatment methods include:
1. Dialysis
This is an assisted therapy that helps filter the blood and eliminate the extra fluid and waste. It is of two types:
- Haemodialysis is done with the help of a machine. As the blood passes through the machine, waste, salts and excess fluids from the body are removed.
- Peritoneal dialysis involves inserting a catheter, a thin tube, into the abdomen. A solution is pressed into the tube that absorbs waste and excess fluids
2. Kidney Transplant
This is a surgical procedure that involves replacing a damaged kidney with a healthy one received from a living or deceased donor. The procedure is complicated and intricate and requires thorough evaluation to ensure that the organ is not rejected after transplantation.
Kidney Disease Complications
Chronic or acute kidney disease can slowly progress to kidney failure. The condition is life-threatening, and the associated complications are:
- Anaemia
- Fluid retention
- Gout troubles
- Heart ailments
- Hyperkalemia is a condition marked by excessively high potassium levels in the blood
- Metabolic acidosis, increased acid buildup in the body
- Osteomalacia, resulting in weak and brittle bones
- Pericarditis is inflammation around the heart
- Secondary hyperthyroidism, imbalance of vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus levels
Health Tips to Maintain Kidney Health
Kidney health can be improved by following good dietary habits and a healthy lifestyle. Here’s how you can reduce your risk of developing kidney disease:
1. Follow a Low Blood Pressure Diet Plan
A low blood pressure diet not just helps the heart; it is a magic potion for the kidneys too. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grain cereals, lean meat and fish. Avoid a diet that is high in salt, sugar and fats. Make sure you drink 8-10 glasses of water every day.
2. Remain Physically Active
A physically active lifestyle is crucial for physical and mental well-being. Getting enough exercise every day helps maintain blood pressure, control sugar levels and keeps weight in check; all parameters that are important for avoiding kidney disease.
3. Avoid Substance Abuse
Excessive alcohol consumption, habitual smoking, and long-term exposure to heavy metals contribute to kidney disease. Avoid substance abuse to promote kidney health.
Conclusion
Kidney disease is a widespread condition but people do not realise it until the symptoms become evident. Kidney disease can be of two types – chronic or acute. Chronic kidney disease is slow and progressive, while acute kidney disease is sudden and fast. Kidney disease progresses through five stages, Stage 5 being the end-stage condition signalling kidney failure. The condition can be managed through proper diet, active lifestyle and medicines. Kidney disease treatment in the latter stages of the condition will require dialysis. A kidney transplant is the last resort, as kidney failure is potentially life-threatening.
