Disease of the kidney
Kidney disease, also called kidney failure, describes the gradual loss of kidney function. The kidneys filter wastes and excess fluids from blood, which are then excreted in urine. When kidney disease reaches an advanced stage, dangerous levels of fluid, electrolytes and wastes can build up in the body. In the early stages of kidney disease, there are only few signs or symptoms. Kidney disease may not become apparent until the kidney function is significantly impaired.
Signs and symptoms of disease of the kidney
Signs and symptoms of chronic kidney disease develop over time if kidney damage progresses slowly. Signs and symptoms of kidney disease may include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue and weakness
- Sleep problems
- Changes in urine output
- Decreased mental sharpness
- Muscle twitches and cramps
- Hiccups
- Swelling of feet and ankles
- Persistent itching
- Chest pain, if fluid builds up around the lining of the heart
- Shortness of breath, if fluid builds up in the lungs
- High blood pressure (hypertension) that’s difficult to control
Signs and symptoms of kidney disease are often nonspecific, meaning they can also be caused by other illnesses. And because the kidneys are highly adaptable and able to compensate for lost function, signs and symptoms may not appear until irreversible damage has occurred.
Causes disease of the kidney
Kidney disease occurs when a disease or condition impairs kidney function, causing kidney damage to worsen over several months or years. Diseases and conditions that commonly cause kidney disease include:
- Type 1 or type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Glomerulonephritis, an inflammation of the kidney’s filtering units (glomeruli)
- Interstitial nephritis, an inflammation of the kidney’s tubules and surrounding structures
- Polycystic kidney disease
- Prolonged obstruction of the urinary tract, from conditions such as enlarged prostate, kidney stones and some cancers
- Vesicoureteral reflux, a condition that causes urine to back up into your kidneys
- Recurrent kidney infection, also called pyelonephritis
Diagnosis of disease of the kidney
To determine whether an individual has kidney disease, may need tests and procedures such as:
- Blood tests: Kidney function tests look for the level of waste products, such as creatinine and urea, in your blood.
- Urine tests: Analyzing a sample of an individual’s urine may reveal abnormalities that point to kidney failure and help identify the cause of chronic kidney disease.
- Imaging tests: The use of ultrasound to assess the kidneys’ structure and size. Other imaging tests may be used in some cases.
- Removing a sample of kidney tissue for testing: This is also referred to as kidney biopsy. To remove a sample of kidney tissue for testing to help determine what is causing kidney problem.
Prevention disease of the kidney
The following are measures to reduce the risk of kidney disease:
- Moderation in alcohol consumption: If an individual choose to drink alcohol, he or she should do so in moderation. For healthy adults, that means no more than one drink a day for women of all ages and men older than 65, and no more than two drinks a day for men 65 and younger.
- Follow instructions on over-the-counter medications: When using nonprescription pain relievers, such as aspirin, ibuprofen and others, follow the instructions on the package. Taking too many pain relievers could lead to kidney damage.
- Maintain a healthy weight: For people with healthy weight, they should work to maintain it by being physically active most days of the week. For those that need to lose weight they should do so by getting involved in daily physical activity and reducing calories.
- Avoid smoking: It is important to avoid smoking to prevent kidney disease.
Dietary management for disease of the kidney
- Cholesterol diet: People with kidney disease often experience high levels of bad cholesterol. There should increase in diet low in cholesterol level’
- A lower protein diet: As your body processes protein from foods, it creates waste products that the kidneys must filter from the blood. To reduce the amount of work the kidneys must do, the individual is advised to reduce diet in protein.
References
Idee, J. (2006). Role of Apoptosis in the Pathogenesis of Contrast Media-induced Nephropathy and Hints for its Possible Prevention by Drug Treatment. Anti-Inflammatory & Anti-Allergy Agents in Medicinal Chemistry 5 (2): 139
Longo, K (2010). Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine, (18th ed.). New York: Sage Publication.