The human body operates with two kidneys, which are located at the bottom of the rib cage. The main functions of the kidneys are to remove toxins from the blood, balance fluid levels within the body, produce vitamin D, and excrete urine. Kidneys also help control blood pressure and the production of red blood cells. Kidney disease is a condition in which the kidneys are no longer functioning properly. When kidney disease lasts longer than three months, it’s referred to as chronic kidney disease.
The human body can withstand a large decline in kidney function before any symptoms develop. As a result, symptoms of kidney disease typically do not manifest until one has entered the later stages of chronic kidney disease. These symptoms include the following:
Kidney disease is caused by damage to the kidneys. When this happens, the kidneys can no longer perform optimally. There are several conditions which cause kidney damage, as listed below:
The following risk factors increase one’s likelihood of developing kidney disease:
Another risk factor is the long-term intake of medications that are known to affect the kidneys. Examples of such medications include lithium, omeprazole, and NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and aspirin.
Kidney disease is often diagnosed through blood and urine tests. If the kidneys are damaged, one’s tests will display the following:
The diagnosis of kidney disease can be supplemented through imaging tests (ultrasound, MRI, and CT scan) and kidney biopsy.
There is no treatment that can reverse kidney damage. The following forms of treatment are prescribed in order to stop any further kidney damage, prevent kidney failure, and to improve the symptoms of kidney disease:
It is important to make healthy lifestyle choices that positively affect your kidneys. Healthy choices include stopping smoking, limiting alcohol use, eating a healthy diet low in salt, exercising regularly, and avoiding certain medications.
Medications are available to treat some of the underlying causes for kidney disease. These include medications to treat hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Other medicines can be taken to relieve symptoms of kidney disease. These include medicines to treat water retention (oedema) and anaemia.
Dialysis is used for people with kidney failure. There are two forms of dialysis: haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Both forms of dialysis mimic the kidneys by removing excess toxins and fluid from the blood.
A kidney transplant is the most successful form of treatment for chronic kidney disease. It involves replacing a kidney with a healthy donor kidney. However, donor kidneys are rare. In addition, a kidney transplant is a major surgery that requires one to take immunosuppressants for the rest of his/her life.
If a person has diabetes, hypertension, or cardiovascular disease, they must recognize that they are at higher risk for developing kidney disease. It’s imperative that they manage their condition appropriately. This means that one’s blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels must be monitored regularly and maintained at goal levels. It is also recommended that these individuals get their kidneys tested regularly to monitor kidney function.