Kidney Stones: Not Just an Adult Problem

It’s not wrong of you to typically think to relate kidney stones to older people. But the reality is that while they are common in adults, there has been a significant increase in kidney stones occurring in children over the last 10 years.

What’s the reason behind kids getting kidney stones?

So you’re probably wondering why there are so many children with kidney stones. Even if there is no specific answer, but we can predict that it’s related to the following risk factors:

• Not drinking enough water.
• Consuming excessive salt.
• Lack of exercise.

The symptoms can vary. Some really young children, even premature babies have really small kidney stones and are entirely unaware of their existence. Younger kids may face problems to describe the pain and may just complain of a belly ache. Adolescents and teens may complain of intense back pain with nausea and vomiting. Sometimes there’s the presence of blood in the urine, but it’s always suggested to consult a doctor in order to detect the symptoms.

So as parents, how can you help prevent kidney stones?

There are three measures parents can take to prevent kidney stones.

• Make sure the children are drinking enough water.
• limiting the amount of sodium, maintaining an active lifestyle.
• Water intake is a little more specific to your child’s age.

The occurrence of kidney stones is not a new problem but what is a more recent phenomenon is the growing epidemic of kidney stones in kids and teens nationally. As kidney stones are likely to reappear after their first occurrence, it’s extremely important for your child to be seen by a nephrologist. At NU Hospitals, your child will be given a specialized dney stone treatment kiplan. Our team will figure out the root cause and suggest certain preventive measures accordingly.

Kidney Transplantation: Everything you need to know

When your kidneys fail, treatment is needed to replace the functionalities of your own kidneys. There are two types of treatment for kidney failure- dialysis or transplant. It’s said that a kidney transplant offers more freedom and a better quality of life that dialysis. With well-equipped technologies and erudite surgeons, one can consider NU Hospitals for it serves as one of the best kidney transplant hospitals in Bangalore.

What is a kidney transplant?

At the time of a kidney transplant, a healthy kidney is placed inside your body to do the work your own kidneys can no longer do.

On the other side, there are a certain restrictions that one must follow. A successful kidney transplant may allow you to live the kind of life you were living earlier. Many people might need more than one kidney transplant during a lifetime.

What is a pre-emptive or early transplant?

Getting a transplant before you need to start dialysis is called a pre-emptive transplant. It allows you to avoid dialysis together. Getting a transplant done not long after kidneys fail is referred to as an early transplant. Both have their own set of benefits. Pre-emptive or early transplant, with little or no time spent on dialysis, can lead to better long-term health.

Who can get a kidney transplant?

Kidney transplants have no age bars. It can be done on patients of all ages- from children to seniors. You just need to be healthy enough to undergo the operation. Every person being considered for transplant will get a full medical and psychological evaluation just to be sure that you fit as a good candidate for transplant.

What does the operation involve?

You may be surprised to know that your own kidney usually aren’t taken out when you get a transplant. The surgeon leaves them where they are unless there is a medical reason to remove them. The donated kidney is then placed into your lower abdomen. The entire procedure takes up to four hours. If the kidney comes from a living donor, it should start working immediately whereas a kidney taken from a deceased donor can take longer to start working-two or four weeks or more. If that happens, you may need dialysis until the kidney begins to work again.

At NU Hospitals, you’ll be offered with one of the best set of kidney transplant doctors in Bangalore.

The Curious Tale of the Toiling Kidneys

The Curious Tale of the Toiling Kidneys

KIDNEY DISORDERS

Your kidneys may be small, but they perform many big and vital functions. However, we often forget the existence of this pair and with that ignorance, you may suddenly realize you've got acute or chronic disorders. In certain serious cases, there even may be the need for kidney treatments like dialysis or kidney transplant to stay alive.

Kidney disorders come under the medical bracket of Nephrology. Nephrotic syndrome, acute nephritic syndrome, acute renal failure, chronic renal failure, and diabetic nephropathy are some of the common albeit serious disorders we treat and cure at NU Hospitals. 

Nephrotic syndrome: You may not even know that you have nephrotic syndrome until you’ve got a urine or blood test. This syndrome isn’t a disease, but a group of symptoms indicating at kidneys that aren’t working right.

SYMPTOMS OF NEPHROTIC SYNDROME

• Cloudy urine
• Tiredness
• Swelling in legs, feet, ankles and sometimes hands and face
• Loss of appetite

Acute Nephritic Syndrome: It’s an immune reaction prompted by an infection or another disease. A doctor’s appointment and tests can show an enlarged liver, high blood pressure, abnormal heart and lung sounds, enlarged veins in the neck.

SYMPTOMS OF ACUTE NEPHRITIC SYNDROME

• A dark shade or cloudy urine
• Blurre vision
• Shortness of breath
• Weakness and aches 

Acute Renal Failure: This disorder tends to occur rapidly. There are three main categories of causes of acute renal failure, prerenal (caused by the low blood supply to the kidneys), intrinsic (harm caused by chemicals, illegal drugs or even prescribed ones), postrenal (kidney failure caused by problems in the urinary tract, bladder, urethra)

SYMPTOMS OF ACUTE RENAL FAILURE

• Vomiting, fatigue, and loss of appetite
• Irregular heartbeat
• Muscle weakness
• Loss of consciousness

Chronic Renal Failure: It is a slow and steady decline of the kidney functions. It usually is caused by another serious medical condition. It occurs over months as the kidney slowly stops working. 

SYMPTOMS OF CHRONIC RENAL FAILURE

• Increase urination, especially at night
• Decreased urination
• Blood in urination
• Cloudy urination

Diabetic Nephropathy: As the name suggests this kind of kidney disorder is caused Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. In worst case scenarios there even may be a need for a transplant. 

SYMPTOMS OF DIABETIC NEPHROPATHY

• Tiredness
• Swelling of hands, feet, eyes, legs
• Worsening of BP control
• Loss of appetite
• Increased urination

In NU Hospitals there are treatments available for many kidney diseases, though these disorders can often be prevented with regular doctor’s check-up and advice. Our kidney doctors have specialized many innovative procedures that allow our patients to receive quality treatment, making one of the top Nephrology Hospitals in India. However, before you let your body down think of all the consequences you’d have to face for it.