What Causes Kidney Failure

The kidneys are a pair of organs that are located in the lower back. Each of the kidneys is one side of the spine. The function of a pair of healthy kidneys is to filter blood and remove toxins from the body.
The toxins from the kidneys are sent to the bladder, which is removed during urination. Apart from
Kidney transplant
Another treatment option is a kidney transplant. If the body accepts the transplanted kidney it will function normally which usually last from 10-20 years. Most patients go with a living donor from a family member. It is necessary for the kidney to 
being the bodies, the hormones that control blood pressure and red blood cells are made in the kidneys. They also balance some elements in the blood like sodium, potassium, and calcium.

Kidney failures are of two kinds acute kidney failure and chronic kidney failures. Chronic Kidney Failure is also known as end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Both, acute and chronic kidney failures, occur when the kidneys can’t filter waste from the blood properly. When this happens the wastes accumulates to a dangerous level causing the blood’s chemical to get imbalanced.

There are many reasons why the kidney’s health deteriorates or other kidney diseases may occur when:

●      Other chronic or acute problems that have done permanent damage over time

●        Polycystic kidney disease

●      Diabetes

●      High blood pressure

●      Urinary tract issues

●      Blocked kidneys due to recurring kidney stones

●      Heart attack

●      Blood clot in the kidney

●      Drugs, alcohol and smoking

●      Infection

●      Chemotherapy

Here are some of the common symptoms one may notice if suffering from kidney failure:

●      Itching

●      Muscle cramps

●      Nausea and vomiting

●      Not feeling hungry

●      Swelling in your feet and ankles

●      Too much urine (pee) or not enough urine

●      Trouble catching your breath

●      Trouble sleeping

In the case of acute kidney failure:

●      Abdominal pain

●      Back pain

●      Diarrhea

●      Fever

●      Nosebleeds

●      Rash

●      Vomiting

The signs of early-stage kidney disease are often subtle but the following are the common symptoms:

●      Decreased urination

●      Swelling in the limbs (fluid retention)

●      Shortness of breath

With acute kidney failure, the damage may not always be permanent. The kidneys may go back to normal or almost normal with proper treatment if other serious health problems don’t disturb the healing process.

When the patient has CKD the kidney treatment recommended is either dialysis or a kidney transplant. This is a serious treatment needed to live. While on kidney dialysis or with a kidney transplant many live long lives even as there is no cure for CKD.

The best hospitals for kidney failure treatment in Bangalore will suggest the following :

Kidney Dialysis

During dialysis, a machine is used to filter the blood and toxins out of the body. The kidneys functions are performed by the machine. While on it the doctors may suggest a low-potassium and low-salt diet along. It is important to understand that dialysis doesn’t cure kidney failure, but it can extend life so other treatments can be scheduled.

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.

Get to Know Your Kidneys Working Efficiency

When properly functioning, kidneys help eliminate wastes and excess fluids from the blood and expel them from the body in the form of urine. Located on either side of the spine and posterior to the abdomen, they also control the quantities of various minerals and water in the body, apart from being indispensable for the production of red blood cells, blood pressure regulating hormones and Vitamin D. That said, there are many tests available to determine any signs of kidney failure or damage. Here are a few of them:

Serum Creatinine Test: Creatinine is a water product that results from the normal wear and tear of muscles. It is expelled by the kidneys at a constant rate. The normal levels for a healthy adult male ranges from 0.7 to 1.2 mg/dl and from 0.5 to 1.0 mg/dl for a female. A creatinine level of over 1.4 mg/dl is an early sign that the kidneys are not functioning optimally.

Urine Analysis: Kidney doctors also assess the level of proteins and urine in the urine to determine the extent of kidney damage. Of course, infection is just one of the reasons for proteins in the urine, another major reason being physical workout. Therefore, the nephrologists may also for a 24-hour sample or repeat this test after a few weeks to be sure of the cause.

Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN): This is a compound which forms in the liver from the breakdown of proteins that we eat. Normal BUN levels range between 7 and 20. Greater the BUN level, the lower the efficiency of kidney function.

Biopsy: This is performed using a thin needle to collect tiny samples of kidney tissue for the purpose of examining them under a microscope. This is usually done to identify a specific disease, evaluate the amount of damage or ascertain the reasons for an unsuccessful kidney transplant.

Micro albuminuria: This is a dipstick test used to detect the presence of albumin in the urine. This is usually performed in cases where a person is highly predisposed to develop kidney disease, or at a greater risk of getting affected by diabetes or high blood pressure.

These are some of the basic tests that are performed to assess the magnitude of kidney function. It is always a good idea to get your kidneys checked as part of your regular health checks for maximum effectiveness of kidney treatment, if found to be faulty.