The human body contains two fist-sized kidneys, located in the middle of the back, just below the rib cage. Inside each kidney, there are about a million very small structures called nephrons (kidneys), which filter the blood and remove toxins and excess water in the form of urine. Urine flows through a tube called the ureter to the bladder, which stores urine until the person is ready to urinate. Healthy kidneys produce hormones that keep bones strong and blood healthy.
Kidney disease
There are
many different causes of kidney tissue damage, and this damage can prevent the
kidneys from removing toxins and excess fluid from the body.
Types of kidney disease
Chronic
kidney disease:
A long-term
condition in which the kidneys stop working properly and the kidney tissue
gradually becomes damaged over several years.
Acute
kidney failure:
Rapid kidney
dysfunction results in an inability to filter toxins from the blood, which
develops rapidly over hours or days as toxins accumulate in high
concentrations, causing an imbalance in the blood components.
Kidney
disease can be:
Cancer,
cysts, stones, and infections.
the reasons
- Genetic causes.
- diabetic.
- Hypertension.
- Immune-mediated renal infections.
- Kidney cyst.
- Prolonged use of medications harmful to the kidneys.
- Acute kidney failure can occur for several reasons.
- A condition in which blood flow to the kidneys is reduced. It directly harms the functioning of the kidneys.
- Blockage of the ureters due to kidney stones or an enlarged prostate gland, which prevents the elimination of toxins from the body.
Risk factors
- Aging.
- Smoking.
- Obesity.
- Family
history of kidney disease.
- Severe
cases that require hospitalization, especially intensive care.
- diabetic.
- Hypertension.
- Heart
failure.
- Liver
diseases.
Symptoms
Kidney patients usually do not have symptoms until the advanced stages, but symptoms may include the following:
Constant fatigue. Normal kidneys produce the hormone erythropoietin (which forms red blood cells), but when the kidneys are damaged, blood formation is affected, causing anemia, fatigue, and colds.
Shortness of breath even with light exercise: due to fluid in the lungs or anemia.
Weakness and dizziness.
Mild dizziness.
Severe itching.
Swelling of the extremities or face: due to fluid remaining in the blood that the kidneys should excrete.
A strange metallic taste in the mouth: due to the accumulation of toxic substances in the blood.
Bad breath.
Stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite.
Foam in the urine: due to the presence of protein in the urine.
Dark urine or blood in the urine.
Back pain is not a sign of kidney disease, as the kidneys are located above the waist and in the back of the body.
When do you visit the doctor?
If you have
a disease that increases your risk of kidney disease, your doctor will check
your blood pressure and kidney function with urine and blood tests during
regular checkups.
Complications
- Fluid
accumulation in the body: In the case of acute kidney failure, water may
accumulate in the lungs, causing shortness of breath.
- pain in the chest.
- Weak bones,
which increase the risk of fractures.
- Anemia.
- Impotence.
- Damage to
the central nervous system.
- Increased
chance of infection due to decreased immunity.
- Pericarditis
(inflammation of the pericardium): Inflammation of the membrane surrounding the
heart.
- Pregnancy
complications pose a risk to the pregnant woman and the fetus.
- Death.
Diagnosis
Laboratory
tests: blood and urine analysis.
treatment
Healthy
lifestyle change.
Adherence
to medications to control comorbidities (eg, high blood pressure, diabetes,
high cholesterol).
If chronic
kidney disease develops, the following treatments may be required
Dialysis.
Kidney
transplant.
protection
Avoid
excessive use of over-the-counter medications.
Managing
chronic conditions (such as high blood pressure, and diabetes) that may cause
kidney damage.
Doing
physical activity.
Maintain a
healthy weight.
Follow a
healthy and balanced diet.
Avoid
smoking.
common questions
When do
kidney failure patients die?
Kidney
failure patients do not die of the disease.
Can chronic
kidney failure be treated?
No, once
kidney damage occurs, it cannot be treated.
Does
dialysis cause death?
The most common cause of sudden death in
patients with end-stage.
What causes
fatigue after dialysis?
Fatigue
after dialysis Some patients may experience fatigue after dialysis due to the
physical stress of treatment.
How can I
live with chronic kidney disease?
Patients
with kidney disease need to reduce salt intake, as excessive salt intake can
lead to thirst and increased fluid accumulation and retention in the body,
leading to high blood pressure. Finally, patients suffering from kidney failure
should always be followed up by a nutritionist to monitor their weight and
appetite and change their diet according to the analysis requested by the
doctor.
If you have any questions, please leave a comment