WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF KIDNEY FAILURE?

Our kidneys are responsible for a variety of critical tasks, including blood filtration, regulation of blood pressure and hemoglobin levels. Kidney failure, also known as Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), implies permanent damage which is both progressive and irreversible, to the kidneys. This disease impairs all the functions of the kidneys. This aggravates various other conditions such as blood pressure, anemia and bone disease.

What leads to kidney failure?

These common risk factors are:

• Diabetes: The foremost risk factor for CKD is diabetes. More often than not, diabetes is detected during the later stages, by which time other organs like the kidneys will have been affected.
• Hypertension: When uncontrolled, is a very high risk factor for kidney failure.
• Family History: A family history of renal dysfunction increases the risk of getting affected by chronic kidney disease.
• Infections: Recurrent urinary or kidney infection are also red flags for this disease.
• Over-the-counter medications: Popping pills without a qualified doctor’s supervision can not only wreak havoc with the kidneys, but also cause many other harmful side-effects.
• Glomerular disease: The presence of proteins in the urine is a tell-tale sign of an impending kidney damage, and if undetected and untreated, even kidney failure.

SYMPTOMS OF CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE

The common signs and symptoms include:

• Unexplained anemia
• Weakness
• Tiredness
• Problems getting sleep
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Loss of appetite
• Changes in urine
• Swelling of feet and the face
• Recurrent vomiting
• Nausea
• Unexplained weight loss

By the time the symptoms manifest themselves, it is usually too late and the kidneys are already severely damaged.  Therefore, it is vital not to wait for the symptoms to appear before a kidney checkup.

Kidney Failure Treatment Options

The treatment for CKD depends on the stage of the disease. The first three stages are early onset stages where the underlying cause must be treated and no specific medicines for kidney failure is administered. Quitting smoking is a very important step. Any instances of kidney or urinary infections must be looked into at the earliest.

In the advanced stages, the kidney function may be reduced by as much as 60-70%. In these cases, there should be more emphasis on controlling the blood pressure and things which are harmful to the kidneys.

There are certain medications such as Angiostein-Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and Angiostein Receptor Blockers which are proven to prevent further progression.

In stage 5, where the kidney damage exceeds 80-90%, medications do not have any effect and the only solutions are either dialysis, or, if the patient is fit enough, a kidney transplant.

Regular physical activity can help control the blood pressure, sugar levels, keeps the weight under control, all of which help in preventing further progression of this disease. Moderate exercises like walking, cycling etc. is definitely beneficial in the early stages.

As the kidney disease worsens beyond stage 4, the prospect of kidney failure becomes very real and it needs to be controlled with specific medications and certain dietary changes such as reduced salt and fluid intake and checking for any signs of heart problems. When the kidney fails, the only treatment options are kidney dialysis and transplant.

In the unfortunate eventuality of requiring a dialysis or transplant, a modern, well-equipped hospital makes a world of difference. NU Hospitals is a state-of-the-art kidney care hospital that has the all the necessary facilities and experienced specialists to successfully manage the most complex renal conditions.

MEDICAL TOURISM BENEFITS: THE NU WAY

India has emerged as the hub of medical tourism in the world owing to a potent combination of cutting-edge facilities, highly skilled doctors and above all, it’s relatively low cost of treatment compared to other developed nations, making it a preferred destination for many affluent foreigners seeking high quality but cost-effective medical treatment for their ailments. India ranks particularly high in the list for people of other nations seeking treatment in the fields of cardiology, ophthalmology, orthopaedics and organ transplants, and also in allied fields such as preventive, wellness and alternative medicine.

Medical tourism in India is fast emerging as one of the fastest growing segments of tourism sector. Estimates indicate that more than 500,000 foreign patients avail treatment in India, drawn to the high-end infrastructure of India’s famed multispecialty corporate hospitals. To facilitate a better international patient care service and experience, the Indian government has enabled visa-on-arrival for travellers from certain countries, allowing them to stay in India for up to 30 days for the treatment.

NU Hospitals has made a name for itself in the fields of nephrology, urology and fertility care, and in fact is India’s first hospital to be NABH and NABL accredited in these specialties. It is equipped with ultra-modern infrastructure and trained healthcare personnel in order to provide the best standards of care across all its facilities- Padmanabhanagar and Rajajinagar in Bangalore, Ambur and Krishnagiri in Tamil Nadu and Male in Maldives. 

In the field of infertility treatment, NU Hospitals possesses top-of-the-line IVF laboratory and experienced specialists for providing systematic treatment under one roof. It also has other hallmarks of international patient care hospitals in its fields of operation, including pediatric-specific imaging and investigation facilities, pediatric uro-dynamics capability, an active cadaver transplantation program, specialty education programs for renal disorders and much more! Through our consistent service and rigorous emphasis on clinical excellence, we have carved a niche for ourselves for offering the best international patient services in India.

How You Can Prevent Kidney Stones

Kidney stones are solid deposits of crystals, usually made of calcium oxalate, which form in the kidneys, bladder, urethra and the ureter. They can be very painful.

Why do kidney stones form?

• The leading cause of kidney stones is insufficient intake of water.
• The uric acid doesn’t become diluted enough and hence the urine becomes more acidic.
• This acidic environment in the urine can result in formation of kidney stones.
• Excessive concentration of substances like calcium, oxalate and uric acid.
• High amounts of proteins, salt and glucose in the diet.
• Inflammatory bowel diseases and infection in the urinary tract
• Medications such as diuretics, anti-seizure drugs and some antacids can also play a role in formation of kidney stones.

Symptoms of Kidney Stones

In the initial stages, the person does not usually exhibit any symptoms. When the stones move into the ureter, which is the tube connecting the kidney and the bladder, the following symptoms of kidney stones can be observed:

• Severe pain in the lower back and the sides, called renal colic.
• Pain radiating to the groin area
• Blood in the urine (pink, red, or brown urine)
• Pain that occurs in waves and varies in intensity
• Sweating, nausea and vomiting
• Fever and chills
• Frequent and painful urination
• Pain in the testicles or the scrotum in men

Treatment for kidney stones

Kidney stone treatment depends on their size as well as the composition. Small-sized stones can be treated in the following ways:

Drinking water: Adequate consumption of liquids can help flush out the smaller kidney stones out of the system.

Medication: Pain relievers such as ibuprofen, medicines like diuretics and alpha-blocer drugs are also effective.

Stones which are bigger in size can be treated in the following ways:

Lithotripsy: This method employs sound waves to create strong vibrations that can break up large stones into smaller pieces that can be easily removed from the body.

Ureteroscopy: A thin tube is inserted through the urinary tract in order to break up the stones into smaller fragments which are then removed through the tube.

Kidney Stone Surgery: A surgical procedure called percutaneous nephrolithotomy, by which kidney stones are removed through a small incision in the person’s back may be performed if the lithotripsy was unsuccessful.

How Can Cigarette Smoking Cause Urological Cancer

It is a known fact that smoking has dangerous repercussions on our body. It significantly increases the risk of many harmful conditions, aside from exacerbating their severity as well as having a negative impact on the treatment. Not surprisingly, smoking is also a major contributing factor for bladder cancer. This includes not just cigarettes, but also e-cigarettes, hookahs and smokeless tobacco. Here are some urologic conditions that are affected by smoking:

Kidney Cancer: Studies have shown smoking to be a risk factor for renal cell carcinoma, otherwise known as kidney cancer. The smoke gets drawn into the lungs, from where it makes its way through the bloodstream into the kidneys. This poses a formidable obstruction to an effective kidney treatment programme in the event of such an eventuality.

Erectile Dysfunction: Smoking damages the blood vessels and therefore adversely affects the blood supply to the penis resulting in an inability to get and/or maintain a firm erection for sexual intercourse.

Bladder Cancer: Due to the accumulation of harmful chemicals and drugs in the urine as a result of smoking, they affect the lining of the bladder and hence increases the risk of this disease. The risk is also dictated by the smoking quantity, duration of exposure and second hand smoke exposure.

Infertility: Tobacco and other sources of smoking not only causes a wide range of urologic diseases and cancers, but also has a marked bearing on infertility. Exposure to the toxic smoke impacts the genetic makeup of the sperm and the eggs, affects the production and regulation of hormones and creates an in conducive environment in the uterus, all of which combine to lead to infertility. Besides, it also increases the risk of a miscarriage and the chances of birth defects in the new born.  Therefore, urologists are of the unanimous opinion that smoking is a habit that is best avoided by those looking to have a child.

Incontinence: Due to disruptions in the bladder, smokers may experience leaking urine and overactive bladder, which leads to frequent urination.

Aside from the preventive measure of quitting smoking altogether, there are some treatment options available to treat urological cancers once it has set in. One of the specialties that NU Hospitals is renowned for is urology and infertility treatment, thanks to its fine team of urology specialists in Bangalore, who run a battery of tests to diagnose and treat such conditions effectively.