What Are the Functions of the Kidneys?
Kidneys are a pair of organs that removes waste products from the body and produces urine. Kidneys also maintain electrolyte balance and fluid levels and prevent the buildup of waste products inside the body. Thus, the kidneys purify the blood and excrete waste products in the form of urine. If the kidney fails to do so then the waste products build up in the body. A gradual loss of kidney function can occur which can give rise to kidney disease. If the disease is left untreated for a longer period of time it is called chronic kidney disease. Advanced chronic kidney disease is dangerous as it can cause electrolyte imbalance, and the buildup of waste products, and can present with severe symptoms.
The early stages of chronic kidney disease do not result in any symptoms as the kidneys present with symptoms up to 40 percent of their working efficiency. Below 40 percent of the working efficiency of the kidneys, various symptoms such as fatigue, weight loss, swelling, and various other symptoms can be seen. As the condition advances the chances of reversing it becomes low. Treatment for chronic kidney disease focuses on slowing the progression of the disease by managing the cause.
What Are the Types of Kidney Damage and Their Symptoms?
The types of kidney damage and their symptoms are:
1. Chronic Kidney Disease: It is a type of kidney disease that slowly damages the kidneys. It is divided into stages based on the severity of the kidney damage. Chronic kidney disease is commonly caused by diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, heart diseases, and certain genetic diseases. The symptoms generally appear when there is considerable kidney damage until then it may not cause any symptoms. The symptom includes -
-
Swelling in the legs, hands, and face.
-
Dry and itchy skin.
-
Nausea and vomiting.
-
Muscle cramps.
-
Fatigue.
-
Weight loss.
-
Shortness of breath.
-
Loss of appetite.
-
Shortness of breath.
2. Acute Kidney Injury: It is also called acute renal failure which arises from kidney damage within a very short period of time. It can damage other organs that include the lungs, brain, and heart. It can be caused by shock, major ones, severe dehydration, and excessive bleeding. The symptoms appear depending on the calls and severity of acute kidney injury. The symptoms include-
-
Swelling of the feet, and ankles.
-
Shortness of breath.
-
Nausea.
-
Puffiness around the eyes.
3. Kidney Stones: It is also called renal calculus and renal stones. These are formed due to the deposit of salt and minerals from the kidney. They can be found in the ureter, urinary bladder, or kidneys. It generally results from the excess amount of salts such as calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate, or uric acid in the body. The symptoms include -
-
Flank pain.
-
Blood in the urine.
-
Burning sensation while urination.
-
Frequent urination.
-
Difficulty passing urine.
-
Foul-smelling or cloudy urine.
-
Fever with chills in case of an infection.
-
Recurrent urinary tract infections.
4. Kidney Infections: Pyelonephritis, or kidney infection, is a type of urinary tract infection that typically occurs in any part of the urinary tract, including the kidneys. The infection starts from the urethra or the bladder and then travels up toward the kidneys. It is less common for the infection to spread to the other sides of the body. The symptoms of a kidney infection include -
-
Fever and chills.
-
Nausea and vomiting.
-
Flank pain.
-
Burning sensation during urination.
-
Foul-smelling or cloudy urine.
-
Blood in the urine.
-
Increased frequency of urination.
5. Kidney Cysts: A cyst is a fluid-filled sac-like structure. There are various types of kidney cysts and can also arise from a genetic condition called polycystic kidney disease. Polycystic kidney disease involves the formation of numerous cysts and its causes are unknown. They may be formed when there is damage or injury to the kidneys and leads to fluid accumulation in a small area leading to the formation of it. The symptoms include-
-
Flank pain.
-
Blood in the urine.
-
Increased urine frequency.
-
Fever and chills.
6. Kidney Cancer: Cancer is the growth of cells that multiply without any stimulus. Kidney cancer also called renal carcinoma, includes transitional cell carcinoma, nephroblastoma, and renal sarcoma. It may be caused due to certain factors such as obesity, Family history of kidney disease, smoking, and high blood pressure. The symptoms include -
-
Lump or swelling in the back.
-
Unexplained weight loss.
-
Loss of appetite.
-
Flank pain.
-
Blood in the urine.
-
Swelling in the hands, legs, and face.
How to Prevent Kidney Damage?
Kidney damage can be prevented by:
-
Lose weight if overweight or have obesity.
-
Increase physical activity to control blood sugar levels.
-
Quit smoking.
-
Make sure to get the kidneys checked in case of any risk factors are present.
-
Take medications as prescribed. Avoid taking extra or low doses of the drugs.
-
Keep blood pressure below 140/90 milliliters of mercury, or make sure to get it checked and the doctor which is the best blood pressure target.
-
In case of comorbidities like diabetes and high cholesterol levels, try to target the blood sugar range as much as possible.
-
Lower the salt intake.
-
Eat more vegetables and fruits.
-
Avoid canned and preserved food.
How to Manage the Risk Factors?
-
In the case of diabetes and high blood pressure, blood sugar, and blood pressure control are found to lower the risk of developing kidney disease.
-
The possibility of preventing or delaying diabetic kidney disease can be made by treating patients having diabetes with blood pressure-lowering drugs. Also, these medications reduce protein in the urine, a risk factor for developing kidney disease.
-
Managing blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels are very important because these are all risk factors for stroke and heart disease.
-
Having kidney disease increases the chances of heart disease and stroke, early diagnosis and treatment of kidney disease are important for people with diabetes to prevent or delay cardiovascular death and kidney failure.
Conclusion:
There are various physical signs of kidney disease, but they are ascribed to other conditions. Also, the symptoms of kidney disease do not arise until very late. The symptoms develop when the kidneys fail, and a large amount of protein is excreted in the urine. This is the basis for why only ten percent of the patients with chronic kidney disease know that they have it. The various symptoms of kidney disease include anemia, dry and itchy skin, trouble sleeping, frequent urination, blood in the urine, cloudy or foamy urine, swelling and puffiness around the eyes, inflammation of feet and ankles, loss of appetite, and muscle wasting. Patients with risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, and a family history of kidney failure must get their kidneys tested annually.
