Renal Diseases

Overview

Renal diseases include problems in the kidneys, reducing the body's natural ability to clean and filter blood and remove toxic wastes. It also affects the production of red blood cells and the Vitamin D metabolism needed for maintaining proper bone health. A person having such a disease needs constant medical support to survive and continue their life unless proper management options of their life are determined. In cases where the renal disease is severe, a person might need to opt for a kidney transplant. Delaying such professional consultation and subsequent measures leads to severe health problems.

What is Renal Disease?

Kidneys are primarily responsible for eliminating waste products from a person's body, which might otherwise build up dangerous levels of toxins. Renal diseases refer to conditions that impair the kidneys' ability to remove toxic substances from the body. Such a disease ultimately impacts the body's metabolic balance and causes a build-up of high blood pressure, anaemia, and weakened bones. If left untreated, this condition can progress towards Chronic Kidney Disease or CKD, or even a complete failure of the kidneys.

Types of Renal Disease

Renal diseases are broadly classified into chronic and acute types. The acute kidney injury system refers to the loss of functioning of the kidney for more than three months.

Acute Kidney or Renal Diseases

Generally, acute kidney problems arise due to illness or an injury, drugs, blockages of the kidney or many other associated factors. Some people may need a shorter course of dialysis to ensure that their kidneys recover faster. Many people recover fully from an acute renal disease and go on leading their normal lives. However, in cases of significant damage, there is a higher risk of developing chronic (or long-term) kidney disease later on.

Chronic Kidney Diseases

Chronic renal diseases occur when the damage suffered by the kidneys is extreme and cannot be reversed. If a person has been facing such kidney problems for more than three years, then there is a chance that the patient has suffered a chronic phase. One can live a normal life for many years with chronic kidney disease. However, if the functioning of the kidneys lapses throughout the years, then there is a chance of complete damage to the kidneys. Eventually, patients might face severe lifestyle challenges, which ultimately call for periodic dialysis or kidney transplants.

Symptoms of Renal Disease

Symptoms of renal disease often appear late, and it might cause fatigue, difficulty in urination, and the presence of blood in the urine. Often the accumulation of toxic wastes in the body results in swelling of ankles or face, and muscle cramps. In many cases, Renal Disease symptoms and causes are interlinked to produce effects of high blood pressure, nausea, shortness of breath, etc. Other symptoms of renal failure include persistent itching and sudden changes in the urine output.

Upon noticing these symptoms, it would be prudent to get diagnosed immediately and seek appropriate medical care to prevent disease progression and complications.

Causes of Renal Disease

The most common causes of renal disease include diabetes and hypertension, which exert excessive strain on the kidneys. Other contributing factors that are present are autoimmune disorders like lupus and prolonged use of nephrotoxic medications. Infections, kidney stones, and genetic conditions such as polycystic kidney disease are also significant contributors. Therefore, a person needs to change their lifestyle habits, including smoking, poor diet and excessive consumption of alcohol. Poor lifestyle choices are the primary reasons for the increase in the risk of developing kidney issues.

Renal Disease Diagnosis and Tests

The diagnosis of renal diseases relies on blood tests, urine tests, and imaging studies of the kidneys. Some diagnostic procedures for Renal Diseases are outlined below:

Measuring Glomerular Filtration Rates

The GFR or Glomerular Filtration Rate is the measurement of how much fluid the kidney filters on average. The higher the GFR, the better it is in representing the functioning of your kidneys. Therefore, testing the GFR is necessary to assess the conditions of the kidneys.

Ultrasound or CT Scan/Imaging Studies

Imaging studies help study the real-time conditions of your kidneys. A doctor can easily understand the problems in the kidneys or tumours if they have one. Thus, it offers a better approach to visualise the condition and take an appropriate step directly.

Biopsies

A biopsy is a process of studying the cells of the kidneys and understanding if there are some abnormalities present. It can reveal in-depth information about the cells and if they are performing appropriately. Just a small piece of tissue is taken out from the kidneys to conduct the examination.

Urine Test

One of the most well-renowned tests developed for checking the functioning of a person's kidneys. The test specifically tests for the presence of Albumin levels in a patient's urine. Higher amounts of this protein indicate that the urine is protein-rich and suggest inappropriate functioning of the kidneys.

Blood Creatinine Levels Assessment

A blood creatinine test is performed to check for its presence in the patient's urine. Creatinine is a toxic chemical waste that is produced in the body as a result of countless enzymatic reactions. If blood creatinine levels are high, it indicates that a person may have improper kidney functioning.

Renal Diseases Management and Treatment

Renal disease management and treatment vary based on the severity of the disease or the specific cause identified. Mostly, doctors prescribe their patients ACE or Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors like ramipril or lisinopril. Along with ACE blockers, people can also opt for ARBs or Angiotensin Receptor Blockers like olmesartan or irbesartan. These medications are known to preserve the kidneys' ability to function appropriately. Other drugs or their cocktail might be prescribed based on the stage of renal disease in a patient.

Preventive Measures for Renal Diseases

Renal diseases can be prevented if a patient takes proactive steps in managing their lifestyle choices. These changes include staying physically active, reducing salt intake, managing diabetes via insulin, maintaining a healthy diet, and limiting the intake of high-cholesterol diets. People can control food intake, particularly by keeping a check on their BMI (Body Mass Index). If the patient is overweight opt for a weight loss program.

Additionally, they can control the intake of too much sugar or oil, as it disrupts renal functioning. For patients having addictions towards smoking or alcohol, they must try to limit it as much as possible. Lastly, if the patient suffers from too much stress, opt for activities that reduce their stress level. Taking these steps early on reduces the risk of renal diseases.

Myths and Facts Related to Renal Diseases

Find some popular myths associated with renal diseases below and the facts to prove them wrong:

Myth 1: Drinking Excessive Water will Cure Renal Disease
Staying hydrated is important, but taking excessive water does not reverse kidney damage. Proper medical treatment is needed for the treatment and management of the disease.

Myth 2: Kidney Disease Only Affects the Elderly
Renal diseases can affect anyone from any age group. However, the risks increase with the age of the individual. Additionally, associated factors like diabetes and hypertension might result in complexity in people suffering from this condition.

Myth 3: Dialysis is the Only Treatment for Kidney Failure
Dialysis is a required intervention, however, if the kidneys are damaged severely at present, or in chronic cases where they face irreversible damage. Medications, kidney transplants and even healthier lifestyles can be enforced in the patient's life to cure their present condition.