5 Min Read.webp "Chronic Kidney Disease")
There’s nothing more precious than health and the quality of life depends on the organs of our body to stay fit. Whereas, complications can be seen if any of our organs fail. One such common organ failure is chronic kidney disease. Chronic kidney disease or Kidney failure, which is also known as CKD is a condition that damages the ability of a kidney to filter blood fluid by the gradual loss of kidney function over a prolonged period. It significantly affects millions of lives globally in terms of health and quality of life.
Before we delve into the disease, let’s understand how a kidney functions.
How do Our Kidneys Function?
A kidney must maintain the internal body balance. To maintain this internal body balance, kidneys perform a variety of functions. It filters waste and excess fluids from the blood, producing waste fluid. It controls electrolyte levels, blood pressure, and acid-base balance in the body. It also helps to produce hormones that control red blood cell production and regulate calcium metabolism. Overall, the kidneys ensure the body's waste products are eliminated while maintaining crucial physiological functions. Some of the main functions are listed below:
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Remove wastes and extra fluid.
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It helps to control blood pressure.
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It helps to keep our bones healthy.
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Control the pH levels.
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Build healthy red blood cells.
What is Chronic Kidney Disease?
The term chronic kidney disease (CKD) describes the slow, persistent decrease in kidney function over time. It generally occurs when the kidneys suffer damage and fail to properly filter waste and extra fluid from circulation. Anaemia, high blood pressure, bone disease, and fluid imbalances are just a few of the major problems that can result from CKD, which is defined by a progressive decrease in kidney function. To stop additional kidney damage, early detection and treatment are essential.
What are the Possible Symptoms of Chronic Kidney Disease?
The early stages of chronic kidney disease frequently show very few symptoms which makes it difficult to identify without medical help. However, when the illness worsens, kidney disease symptoms could emerge more clearly. The following is a list of some typical signs of kidney infection that can termed chronic kidney disease:
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Tiredness and weakness
A constant sense of tiredness and low energy levels is one of the early signs of chronic kidney disease. Generally, it occurs due to reduced production of erythropoietin, a hormone responsible for red blood cell production.
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Fluid retention and swelling
It is hard for damaged kidneys to eliminate extra fluid. Due to this oedema or swelling in the hands, feet, ankles, and face can be experienced.
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Urinary alterations
People with chronic kidney disease tend to experience changes in their urination, like foamy and frequent urination. Sometimes, one may also experience blood in the urine or the darker urine.
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Hypertension
High blood pressure can be one of the great symptoms as well as the cause of chronic kidney disease. It can be one of the significant risk factors for kidney failure.
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Loss of appetite and weight loss
CKD can lead to a decrease in appetite, which might result in unintentional weight loss.
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Sleep problems and concentration difficulties
The accumulation of toxins in the body due to impaired kidney function can disrupt sleep patterns and affect cognitive abilities.
What are the Causes of Chronic Kidney disease?
Chronic Kidney disease can be caused by various factors that damage the kidneys over time. It’s a very slow process and the effects can be seen over time. Let's explore some of the most common causes:
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Diabetes
Data shows that one out of three adults are suffering from Chronic kidney disease. High blood sugar levels over an extended period can damage the small blood vessels in the kidneys, impairing their function, and can be one of the main reasons for kidney failure.
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Hypertension
Uncontrolled high blood pressure can damage the blood vessels in the kidneys, reducing their ability to filter waste effectively and slowly build up the disease.
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Glomerulonephritis
Glomerulonephritis refers to inflammation of the glomeruli, the filtering units of the kidneys. It can be caused by infections, autoimmune diseases, or certain medications.
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Polycystic kidney disease (PKD)
PKD is an inherited disorder characterized by the growth of numerous cysts in the kidneys. These cysts can gradually replace healthy kidney tissue, leading to kidney failure.
Risk Factors for Chronic Kidney Disease
Chronic Kidney Disease is a condition that affects the functioning of the kidneys over a prolonged period. While anyone can develop this disease at any point in age. However, certain risk factors can help individuals take proactive measures to maintain kidney health. Some of the key risk factors are as follows:
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High Blood Pressure
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Family History
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Increasing Age
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Obesity
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Smoking
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Cardiovascular Disease
What are the Treatment and Prevention Measures?
While some risk factors for CKD, such as genetics, cannot be controlled, certain measures can help prevent the disease or slow its progression:
1. Maintain a healthy lifestyle
This deadly chronic disease can be controlled or slowed down by following a healthy balanced diet, engaging in regular exercise, managing weight, and taking care of smoking and excessive consumption of alcohol.
2. Control blood sugar and blood pressure
Blood sugar and blood pressure are the core reasons for all prolonged diseases. Also, people who are diagnosed with diabetes or hypertension should closely monitor and manage their conditions to reduce the risk of kidney damage or to relieve the risk of kidney failure.
3. Stay hydrated
Drinking an adequate amount of water helps maintain proper kidney function and flushes out toxins from the body helping to risk down CKD.
4. Regular health check-ups
Regularly monitor kidney function through blood and urine tests, especially if you have risk factors for CKD.
5. Early intervention
To prevent or slow down the progression of CKD, it is important to timely diagnose and start the treatment of conditions such as diabetes and hypertension.
Conclusion
Health conditions like chronic kidney disease require the utmost attention and proactive management. It is crucial to understand and identify the symptoms and the causes of the deadly disorder. To reduce the burden of CSK by adopting a healthy lifestyle, managing underlying conditions, and seeking regular but significant medical care. Remember, to lead a healthy and wholesome life, it is advised to take good care of our precious organs. Contact a top nephrologist in Goa if you have any kidney-related concerns.
