Are your kidneys healthy? Let's learn exactly about kidney disease.

Have you ever thought about the amazing filtering system in our body? Like the oil filter in a car, our kidneys are a very important organ that filters out waste products from our body, cleans our blood, and keeps us healthy. But most of the time, we don't think much about them until something goes wrong. Maybe you've also had swollen legs and felt like you were going to die. These could be early signs of kidney disease. So today, let's talk about this in a simple, straightforward way.

What service do the kidneys provide to our body?

We all have two kidneys. They are located on either side of our back, just above our waist. The role of these two small organs is no small feat.

If the kidneys are healthy, they will:

But when the kidneys are damaged , this process doesn't work properly. Then waste products and excess water start to accumulate in the body. This can cause things like swollen legs , nausea , weakness , insomnia , and difficulty breathing . If not treated properly, this damage can worsen and the kidneys can fail completely. It can even be life-threatening.

What are the main types of kidney disease?

There are several main types of kidney disease . Let's take a look at them.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

This is the most common type. CKD is a condition in which your kidneys gradually lose their ability to filter toxins and excess fluid from your blood. It doesn't happen all at once, but develops slowly over time. The most dangerous part of this is that there are no symptoms in the early stages.

Proper treatment can slow the progression of this disease. If left untreated, the disease can progress to End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). Dialysis or a kidney transplant may be necessary. Diabetes and high blood pressure are the two main causes of CKD.

Other types of kidney disease

• Polycystic Kidney Disease: This is a genetic disease. Fluid-filled cysts form on the kidneys. This reduces the kidneys' ability to filter waste products.
• Lupus Nephritis: Lupus is an autoimmune disease in which the body's own immune system attacks healthy cells. This is a condition that occurs when the immune system attacks the kidneys.
• Glomerulonephritis:Damage to the tiny filters (glomeruli) inside the kidneys. This causes the kidneys to stop working properly. This condition can also occur after some types of strep throat infections.
• Pyelonephritis: This is when a urinary tract infection spreads to the kidneys. If this happens repeatedly, it can cause scarring in the kidneys and cause long-term damage.

What are the causes of kidney disease?

The causes of kidney disease can be divided into two categories depending on how the disease occurs.

1. Sudden kidney failure (Acute Kidney Injury)

This is when the kidneys suddenly stop working. The main causes of this are:

• Decreased blood flow to the kidneys.
• Direct damage to the kidneys.
• Blockage in the kidneys without urine coming out.

These are the situations where things like this can happen:

• A major accident resulting in excessive bleeding.
• Excessive dehydration of the body.
• Body going into shock due to a severe infection (Sepsis).
• Blockage of the urinary tract due to urinary stones or an enlarged prostate gland.
• Exposure to certain medications and toxic chemicals.
• Complications during pregnancy.

2. Chronic Kidney Disease

When the kidneys don't work properly for more than 3 months, doctors call it Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). There are two main culprits for this.

• Diabetes Mellitus: Uncontrolled diabetes causes high blood sugar levels over a long period of time, which damages the delicate blood vessels in the kidneys.
• High Blood Pressure: When blood pressure increases, pressure is placed on the blood vessels that carry blood to the kidneys, damaging them over time.

In addition, long-term use of certain painkillers (especially NSAIDs such as ibuprofen), exposure to certain toxic chemicals, and certain congenital conditions can also cause CKD.

The relationship between alcohol and the kidneys

Alcohol puts an extra strain on the kidneys, as their job is to filter out toxins that enter the body. When you drink alcohol, your kidneys have to work harder than usual.

What are the symptoms of kidney disease?

As we mentioned earlier, the kidneys are an organ that can remain asymptomatic until significant damage occurs. Therefore,Often, there may be no symptoms in the early stages. As the disease progresses, symptoms such as:

• Increased blood pressure.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• The food is tasteless.
• A metallic taste in the mouth.
• Frequent fatigue and weakness.
• Difficulty concentrating.
• Sleep problems.
• Muscle twitching and pain.
• Swelling of the feet and ankles.
• Persistent skin itching.
• Chest pain (due to fluid accumulation around the heart).
• Difficulty breathing (due to fluid accumulation in the lungs).

How do you find out if you have kidney disease?

Your doctor will first ask about your family medical history, the medications you take, and whether there have been any changes in your urination patterns. Then he or she will perform a physical exam. In addition, the following tests may be done:

• Blood tests: Check the amount of waste products (such as urea and creatinine) in the blood.
• Urine tests: Check for things like protein in the urine to see if there is any kidney damage.
• Imaging Tests: The doctor can check the condition of the kidneys with something like an ultrasound scan.
• Kidney Biopsy: This involves taking a very small piece of tissue from the kidney and sending it to a laboratory to determine the exact cause of the disease.

What are the treatments for kidney disease?

Some kidney diseases can be cured. However, the CKD we often talk about, which means chronic kidney disease, cannot be completely cured. However, with proper treatment, the disease can be controlled and the kidneys can be helped to work longer.

Your doctor may refer you to a nephrologist during your treatment.

1. Medications

• Blood pressure medications: High blood pressure can cause kidney disease, and kidney disease can also cause high blood pressure. Your doctor may prescribe medications such as ACE inhibitors or ARBs. These can help control your blood pressure and reduce the amount of protein in your urine.
• Diabetes medications: Some newer diabetes medications, such as dapagliflozin (Farxiga), have been found to slow the progression of kidney disease, even in people without diabetes.
• Medication for anemia: When the erythropoietin hormone produced by the kidneys decreases, blood loss occurs (anemia). There are medications to treat this as well.

2. Diet

Your doctor will prescribe a special diet for you. This means a diet low in sodium (salt), potassium, phosphate, and possibly protein. When the kidneys are damaged, it is difficult to excrete these nutrients. The goal of the diet is to reduce the burden on the kidneys. For this, it is very important to seek the advice of a renal dietitian, a specialist in kidney disease.

3. Dialysis

When the kidneys no longer work, they need the help of a machine to do their job. This is called dialysis.

• Hemodialysis: This involves a machine taking some of your blood, cleaning it, and returning it to your body.
• Peritoneal Dialysis: This involves using the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneal membrane) to purify the blood.

There are pros and cons to both methods. Your doctor will explain which method is best for you.

4. Kidney Transplant

This is the best treatment option when the disease is advanced. A compatible kidney from a healthy person (living or deceased) is surgically transplanted. After a successful transplant, dialysis is no longer needed. However, you will need to take medication for the rest of your life to prevent your body from rejecting the new kidney.

Kidney Disease, Kidney Failure, CKD, Dialysis, Kidney Transplant, Diabetes and Kidneys