Are you aware of Kidney Disease? Let's talk about it simply.

The kidneys are one of the most amazing organs in our body. They are like the "filter system" in our body. But many people think about the health of these kidneys only after they become ill. But kidney disease is a condition that enters the body silently, but can be serious.

What are kidneys? What is their function?

Simply put, you have two kidneys. They are located on either side of your back, just above your waist. They are not just two organs. They perform a wide range of functions. Imagine what happens if your kidneys do not work properly. Then waste products and unnecessary fluids start to accumulate in your body. This causes swelling in your legs, nausea, fatigue, sleeplessness, and difficulty breathing. If left untreated, the damage can worsen and your kidneys may stop working altogether. This is a serious condition that can even be life-threatening. Let's look at some of the main functions performed by healthy kidneys.

What are the main types of kidney disease?

There is not just one type of kidney disease. There are many different types. Let's talk about a few of the most common types.

1. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

This is the most common type. It is a gradual loss of kidney function over time. It does not happen suddenly, but usually develops gradually over many years. Diabetes and high blood pressure are the main causes. Although CKD cannot be cured completely, the progression of the disease can be controlled with proper treatment and lifestyle changes. If left untreated, it can eventually lead to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Dialysis or a kidney transplant is then required.

2. Other types of kidney disease

• Polycystic Kidney Disease : This is a genetic disease. In this condition, many fluid-filled cysts ( cysts ) develop in the kidneys . This reduces the kidneys' ability to filter waste products.
• Lupus Nephritis: Lupus is an autoimmune disease. This means that the body's own immune system attacks healthy cells. In Lupus Nephritis, the immune system attacks the kidneys.
• Glomerulonephritis: A condition caused by damage to the tiny filters (glomeruli) inside the kidneys. This condition can sometimes occur after a strep throat infection.
• Pyelonephritis: This is a urinary tract infection that occurs in the kidneys. If this infection occurs repeatedly, it can cause permanent damage to the kidneys.

What are the causes of kidney disease?

The causes of kidney disease can be divided into two main categories.

1. Acute Kidney Injury

This is when the kidneys suddenly stop working. This can be caused by:

• Decreased blood flow to the kidneys (e.g., severe blood loss from an accident, dehydration ).
• Direct damage to the kidneys (e.g., certain medications, toxins).
• Obstruction of urination (e.g., enlarged prostate , kidney stones).
• Complications during pregnancy (such as preeclampsia).

2. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

If kidney function is impaired for more than three months, it is called CKD. The two main reasons for this are:

• Diabetes: High blood sugar levels over a long period of time can damage the kidneys.
• High Blood Pressure: High blood pressure damages the delicate blood vessels that carry blood to the kidneys.

Additionally, long-term use of some painkillers (NSAIDs such as ibuprofen) and exposure to certain chemicals can also damage the kidneys. Therefore, do not continue to use any medication without medical advice.

Alcohol and kidney disease

Alcohol is a stressor on the kidneys. Binge drinking can lead to acute kidney failure. Also, drinking alcohol excessively on a daily basis increases the risk of high blood pressure, which increases the risk of developing chronic kidney disease.

What are the symptoms of kidney disease?

Our kidneys are very smart. No matter how much damage they do, they try to repair it and keep working. Therefore, when kidney damage occurs slowly, symptoms appear slowly. Sometimes, there may be no symptoms at all until the disease is very advanced. However, as the disease progresses, symptoms such as these may appear:

• Swelling of the legs and ankles
• Feeling of extreme fatigue and weakness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Loss of appetite and a metallic taste in the mouth
• Constant itching
• Insomnia problems
• Change in frequency of urination (increased or decreased)
• Muscle cramps
• Difficulty breathing (due to fluid accumulation in the lungs)
• High blood pressure

If you have these symptoms, it is very important to see your doctor immediately for advice.

How to diagnose the disease?

Your doctor will first ask about your family medical history, medications you take, and symptoms. Then they will perform a physical exam. In addition, they may order tests such as:

• Blood tests: Check the amount of waste products (such as creatinine and urea) in the blood.
• Urine tests: Check for things like protein in the urine.
• Imaging Tests: Your doctor can check the condition of your kidneys with a test like an ultrasound scan.
• Kidney Biopsy: Here, a very small piece of tissue is taken from the kidney and sent to a laboratory to determine the exact cause of the disease.

What are the treatment options?

The main goals of treatment are to control symptoms, slow the progression of the disease, and reduce complications. It is important to remember that chronic kidney disease (CKD) cannot be completely cured . However, with proper management, it is possible to live a normal life.

1. Medicines

Your doctor may prescribe medications such as ACE inhibitors or ARBs to control your blood pressure. These medications help control blood pressure and reduce damage to your kidneys. They may also give you medications to control anemia or other complications.

2. Diet

Kidney patients need to follow a special diet. A diet low in salt, potassium, and phosphorus is usually recommended. You may also need to limit your protein intake. This is because the damaged kidneys have to work harder to remove these substances from the blood. Diet control reduces the burden on the kidneys. It is essential to seek the advice of a doctor or nutritionist for this.

3. Dialysis

When kidney function is severely reduced, the work that the kidneys should be doing has to be done by a machine or another method. This is called `Dialysis`.

• Hemodialysis: This is where the blood is cleaned using a machine.
• Peritoneal Dialysis: This is where the blood is purified using the peritoneal membrane inside the abdominal cavity.

Your doctor will explain both methods to you and help you choose the method that is best for you.

4. Kidney Transplant

When the disease reaches the final stages, another option is a kidney transplant. In this, a healthy kidney from a living relative, another person, or a deceased person is surgically transplanted. After a successful transplant, dialysis is no longer needed. However, you will have to take medications for the rest of your life to prevent your body from rejecting the new kidney. Kidney Disease, Kidney Failure, Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Dialysis, Kidney Transplant, Kidney Disease Symptoms