Kidney Health And Kidney Disease Basics

 

The kidneys are often the most ignored and forgotten organ of our body. This pair of fist-sized organs are positioned at the bottom of the rib cage of the back. There is one kidney on either side of the spine.

To maintain a healthy body, it is essential that the kidney function that its optimum levels. Since, they are essentially responsible for filtering out toxins like waste products, excess water, and other impurities out of the blood. These toxins come through the kidneys to the bladder which is then removed during the urine. They play a large role in the upkeep of health by balancing pH, salt, and potassium levels in the body. They also secrete hormones that control the blood pressure and the creation of red blood cells. A form Vitamin D is stimulated by the kidneys to help the body absorb calcium.

So when the kidneys come under any duress or are damaged by lifestyle choices like smoking, drinking and lack of physical activity the kidneys will not be able to function well enough for the body’s upkeep. The damage may be caused by diabetes, high blood pressure, and many other long-term health issues. Kidney disease can contribute to the worsening of other health problems, including weakened bones, neural damage, and malnutrition. That’s why it is essential to get kidney disease treatment if one already has kidney issues. Early detection can prevent the kidney from getting further damaged.

If these kidney diseases or health issues that damage the kidneys are not checked and treated in time, over time the kidney may be irreversibly damaged and may even stop working completely. This is also called chronic kidney disease. That’s why kidney specialists in Bangalore urge the patients to take better care of this often forgotten organ.

Types of kidney diseases:

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

Chronic kidney disease, also called chronic kidney failure, describes the gradual loss of kidney functions. At the point when it has reached a serious stage, high levels of fluid, electrolytes and toxin and waste will build up the body. The severity of the disease will gradually advance to end-stage kidney failure, which is fatal without dialysis that is artificially filtering out the toxins in the blood or with a kidney transplant.

Kidney Stones

This common kidney disease is easily treatable but may require surgery if left untreated. Kidney stones occur when minerals and other substances in the blood crystallize in the kidneys to form solid masses akin to stones. These stones usually pass out of the body through urine. The passing urine tends to be painful but doesn’t usually cause any significant problems. However, in case the size of the stones are too large to pass through urine, surgery as per doctor’s recommendation may be required.

Glomerulonephritis

Glomerulonephritis occurs because of an inflammation of the glomeruli which are extremely small structures inside the kidneys that filter the blood. This type of disorder may be caused by infections, drugs, or problems are congenital. It often gets better on its own.

Urinary tract infections

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) another common issue that easily treated by some of the best urology specialists in Bangalore. This is caused by bacterial infections in any part of the urinary system. Because UTI is easily treatable they seldom lead to any other health problems. However, if left untreated and ignored, the infections can spread to the kidneys and is known to have caused kidney failure.

Polycystic kidney disease

This is a genetic problem that leads to the formation of several cysts which are small sacs of fluid to grow in the kidneys. These cysts can block the proper functioning of the kidney and invariably cause kidney failure.

To avoid the threat of any of these kidney issues from happening one must keep a healthy lifestyle and maintain follow up appointments and not miss the medications as prescribed by the doctor.

Better kidney health for kids: Seven golden rules

Kidney disease is one of the most common among adults, and many habits adapted by kids over the years can set the stage for kidney disease. Therefore, you can help your kid(s) protect their kidney from an early age. Here are some of the golden rules to follow to ensure kidney healthy for kids in future.

Activities are important: Regular exercise and engaging your kids in some kind of physical activities can help your kid feel better, and improve and maintain their health. In turn, it keeps your kid’s body healthy, including their bones, muscles, heart and kidneys.

Reduce sugar: Too much intake of sugar can raise the risk of diabetes as kids get older. High blood sugar can also put a strain on the kidneys. Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure in adults. One of the ways to lower sugary intake is cutting back on sugary drinks, such as sodas, juices and sports drinks.

Serve water: Serving water instead of sugary drinks is a good way to cut down on sugar. Water is important for good kidney health and helps the kidneys remove wastes from the blood in the form of urine. Having enough water to prevent dehydration is important, especially for kids. Mild dehydration can make kids feel tired. Further, it can impair normal bodily functions, and very severe dehydration can lead to kidney damage.

Reduce salt: As we are aware, sodium is needed for the body to function, but anything too much can be harmful. Sodium can make the body hold on to more water. This extra stored water can raise the blood pressure and strain different parts of the body, including blood vessels and kidneys. High blood pressure can damage kidneys as they get older. High blood pressure is the second leading cause of kidney failure in adults. So, keep a check of the sodium intake in kids.

Get regular checkups: Make sure you get regular checkups for your kid. By doing a thorough check up your kid can be detected if they are experiencing any unusual symptoms, such as feeling tired, difficulty in sleeping, trouble concentrating, poor appetite, issues with urinating, swollen feet and ankles, etc. Usually, urine and blood tests can be used to check how well their kidneys are working.

At NU Hospitals, known to be one of the finest kidney care hospitals in Bangalore, will diagnose and evaluate your kid just the right way. Backed by some of the best kidney specialists in Bangalore along with state-of-the-art facilities, you need not worry about a thing.