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Kidney disease is a serious health condition that has become a worldwide health crisis, accounting for 35 million deaths globally due to chronic kidney disease in 2005. In India, chronic kidney disease is the eighth leading cause of death. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for managing chronic kidney disease and preventing its progression to end-stage renal disease. This blog will explore what causes kidney disease, its symptoms, essential diagnostic tests, and treatment options.
Synopsis
About Kidney Disease
Kidneys play a vital role in the body and are responsible for filtering waste and excess fluids from the blood into the urine. This helps maintain electrolyte balance and regulates blood pressure. However, when the functioning of these kidneys gets impaired due to kidney disease, it leads to the buildup of harmful substances in the body, posing significant health risks and complications.
What Causes Kidney Disease?
Various factors and conditions contribute to kidney disease, whether acute or chronic. These are:
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Diabetes
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Hypertension
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Glomerular diseases
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Polycystic and other cyst diseases
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Kidney stones
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Lupus
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Vasculitis
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NSAIDs and other medications
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Infections
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Other rare diseases or birth defects
What Are The Symptoms Of Kidney Disease?
Kidney disease often shows no symptoms in the early stages or goes unrecognised. When the disease progresses to a chronic stage, it becomes challenging to treat this condition. The symptoms of kidney disease include:
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Frequent urination, mostly during the night
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Fatigue and weakness
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Nausea and vomiting
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Swelling of the feet and ankles
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Facial puffiness
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Sleep problems
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Dry, itchy skin
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Blood in urine
If you experience any of these symptoms, book an appointment with our best Nephrologist in Mukundapur.
How To Diagnose Kidney Disease?
Unless severe kidney damage has occurred, it shows no symptoms. Moreover, the only way to know how well your kidney is working is through its diagnostic tests. It's also recommended to undergo regular kidney tests if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of kidney disease. Finding its cause and treating it at an early stage can reduce its progression into a chronic kidney disease or an end-stage renal disease, which is life-threatening.
8 Essential Chronic Kidney Disease Tests for Diagnosis
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Urinalysis: A blood urine test that helps to identify underlying issues and examines the physical and chemical properties of urine, detecting various abnormalities like protein, blood, sugar, pus, and bacteria. A positive test may indicate kidney stones, kidney disease, diabetes, or kidney or bladder infections.
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Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) Test: Measures the other waste products in the blood, such as urea and nitrogen, indicating how efficiently the kidneys filter these waste products. The results of this test are usually compared with the results of a creatinine test for the right diagnosis.
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Serum Creatinine Test: Evaluates the creatinine level in the blood, a waste product of muscle metabolism. The elevated test levels can also indicate early signs of impaired kidney function. Creatinine can also be assessed through a urine test.
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Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR): It is the most reliable test to know how well your kidneys work. It makes an estimation of how quickly the kidneys filter blood. Decreased renal function is indicated by a decreased GFR.
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Microalbuminuria and Albumin-to-Creatinine Test: These tests help to identify the albumin levels in the urine. Microalbuminuria is a much more sensitive test that can detect even small amounts of albumin in the urine, an early sign of kidney disease, especially in diabetics.
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Renal Ultrasound: A harmless, pain-free procedure that visualizes the kidneys using sound waves. It takes around 20-30 minutes and helps to identify structural abnormalities such as tumours, cysts, blockages, or obstructions.
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CT Scan: This painless test uses X-rays to create detailed and 3D pictures of the kidneys. It may take around 30-60 minutes to complete and helps to identify any structural changes or deformities in a kidney.
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Kidney Biopsy: Kidney Biopsy helps identify the cause and severity of a kidney problem and shows how well the kidney responds to treatment. It involves inserting a small needle into the kidney to remove a small tissue sample from the kidney to examine under a microscope. This provides detailed information regarding the type of kidney damage.
Kidney Disease Treatment
Treatment for kidney disease varies based on the underlying cause, stage, and type of the disease, like infection, stones, etc. The common treatment options include:
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Medications
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Dietary and lifestyle changes
Conclusion
Early kidney disease diagnosis is vital for effective management and slowing its progression. Regular check-ups and understanding the essential tests for kidney function can help identify problems before they become severe. If you experience any symptoms or have risk factors for kidney disease, schedule a consultation with the Nephrology Hospital in Mukundapur, for appropriate diagnostic testing and intervention. Check our blog page to stay informed and proactive so you can protect your kidney health and overall well-being.
FAQ's
Various factors that increase the risk of kidney disease include:
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High blood pressure
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Diabetes
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Heart diseases
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Obesity
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Smoking
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Family history of kidney disease
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Ageing
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Frequent use of medications
Making certain lifestyle changes can help manage kidney diseases in a better way. These are:
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Eating a diet low in sodium, potassium, and protein
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Adequate water intake
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Staying healthy and keeping your weight in control
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Staying active
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Controlling blood pressure and blood sugar levels
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Avoiding smoking
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Limiting alcohol intake
The frequency of doctor visits depends on the stage and severity of your disease. If you have chronic kidney disease, then you must see your nephrologist at least every 3 to 6 months, while with more advanced stages, you may require more frequent monitoring. Check this with your doctor, who will provide personalised advice based on your condition.
The risk of developing kidney disease can be reduced by following certain instructions, such as:
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Maintaining a healthy weight
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Quitting smoking
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Following the doctor’s advice and label instructions while taking over-the-counter medications
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Managing health conditions that increase the risk of kidney disease
Schedule a consultation with our doctor to learn about the preventive measures you can take, depending on your medical needs.
To schedule an appointment at Manipal Hospitals, contact our Nephrology Department or visit our website.
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