Kidney Diseases - Types, Symptoms and Treatments

The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs that filter waste product, excess water and impurities from the blood. These toxins are stored in the bladder and removed during the process of urination.

In India, one in ten people has some form of kidney diseases. Chronic kidney disorders occur when the kidneys suffer irreversible damage. This disease can lead to other health problems like weakened bones, malnutrition and nerve damage.

People suffering from high blood pressure (hypertension) and diabetes are prone to kidney diseases. Diabetes is the most common cause of chronic kidney diseases in most developing countries. A quarter of all cases of kidney failure takes place due to high blood pressure.

Some other causes of this disease include inflammation (glomerulonephritis), infections (pyelonephritis), and prolonged use of painkillers.

Following are some of the common symptoms of kidney diseases. 

Early Symptoms –

• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• Difficulty in concentrating
• Muscle cramping
• Swollen ankles/feet
• Dry and scaly skin
• Frequent urination
• Poor appetite

Severe Symptoms –

• Changes in urine output
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Decreased sex drive
• Hyperkalemia (sudden rise in potassium level)
• Inflammation of the pericardium
• Fluid retention
• Anaemia (decrease in red blood cells)

• Chronic kidney disease – This is the most common type of kidney disease. Chronic kidney disease translates to a long-term condition of this organ, which does not improve over time. High blood pressure and diabetes cause this.
• Glomerulonephritis – Glomeruli are extremely small structures inside the kidneys, and they help in blood filtration. Glomerulonephritis is an inflammation of the glomeruli. Congenital abnormalities, infections or drugs cause it.
• Kidney stones – When minerals and other substances in the blood crystallise, they form solid masses known as kidney stones. Kidney stones usually come out of the body during urination.
• Polycystic kidney disease – It is a genetic disorder that causes numerous cysts in the kidneys. These cysts interfere with the functionality of the kidneys and cause kidney failure.
• Urinary tract infections – Bacterial infections of any part of the urinary system is known as urinary tract infections (UTIs).

To see if the kidneys are working correctly, the doctor will run some tests, such as –

• Glomerular filtration rate – This test determines the stage of kidney disease.
• Ultrasound or computed tomography (CT) scan – It provides a clear picture of the kidneys and the urinary tract. They help the doctor see if there is any tumour or a structural problem present in the kidneys.
• Kidney biopsy – During this process, the doctor will remove a piece of tissue from the patient’s kidney while he/she is sedated. It helps the doctor to determine the type of kidney disease and the amount of damage.
• Urine test – The urine sample is required to test for albumin. 
• Blood creatinine test – Creatinine is a waste product. The level of creatinine in the blood increases when the kidneys stop working properly.

Treatment for kidney disease may include one or more of the following methods –

• Medication and drugs – The doctor will prescribe angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. These include lisinopril and ramipril, or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), such as irbesartan and olmesartan. Depending on the symptoms, the doctors may prescribe drugs to relieve swelling and treat anaemia. Professionals may also treat you with cholesterol drugs, such as simvastatin.
• Lifestyle and dietary changes – Adopting a healthy lifestyle and changing the diet can help prevent many of the root causes of kidney disease. The doctor may recommend you control diabetes using insulin injections, reduce salt consumption and high cholesterol foods, limit alcohol consumption, and quit smoking. He may also suggest losing weight, increasing physical activity and starting a healthy diet that includes fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products.
• Dialysis – When the kidneys fail, they cannot filter blood efficiently. Dialysis is an artificial method of filtering blood when the kidneys fail or are close to failing. The two types of dialysis are haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.

If not treated in time, kidney diseases can lead to kidney failure and early cardiovascular disease. A kidney transplant might be necessary in such a case.

Risk factors, such as age, race and family history are impossible to control. Nevertheless, there are some methods by which one can prevent kidney diseases. They are as follows – 

• Quit smoking
• Drink plenty of water
• Reduce salt intake
• Control blood sugar if you have diabetes
• Control blood pressure

People having kidney disease must adopt a healthy lifestyle and follow a proper diet. They should follow the doctor’s advice. If left untreated, it gets worse over time and can be life-threatening.

Kidney diseases should not be neglected. Instead, people witnessing early-stage symptoms should get themselves diagnosed and treated to avoid further complexities and lead a healthy life.