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.

5 Steps for Preventing Kidney Stones

 

Kidney stones are characterized by a condition wherein the urine instead of flowing out of the body crystallizes into small masses which then block the urinary tract causing pain and infections thus leading you to requiring Bladder & Renal Stone Treatment. Some of the most prominent symptoms of kidney stones are: 

• Pain areas: in the back or side part of the body
• Pain types: can be severe, sharp, or sudden in the abdomen
• Pain circumstances: can occur during urination
• Gastrointestinal: nausea or vomiting
• Urinary: blood in urine or frequent urination
• Also common: sweating

Since symptoms of kidney stones can sometimes be misleading, it’s advisable to get professional guidance at the earliest from a Top Urologist in Bangalore. Although there’s no particular cause for kidney stones, slight changes in lifestyle can help avoiding it to a certain degree. 

Let’s discuss 5 effective ways of preventing kidney stones: 

• Stay sufficiently hydrated: Excess water helps dilute the elements that are potent of causing stones in the urine. Even some citrus beverages like orange juice and lime cordials help dilute stone formation.
• Increase calcium intake: Reducing calcium intake in the diet can lead to increased levels of oxalate in the urine. In order to prevent oxalate formation, one can take an age-appropriate amount of calcium which your doctor will be able to tell you.
• Regulate sodium intake: Kidney stones are triggered by increased sodium levels in the diet. A low sodium diet helps prevent the development of kidney stones. 
•  Check on the amount of animal protein: Uric acid levels are easily hyped by an increased intake of animal proteins such as seafood, eggs, red meat, etc., In fact, a high-protein diet is seen to bring down citrate levels, the element crucial to preventing kidney stones. Hence, only adequate amounts of meat is recommended for those looking to lead a stone-free lifestyle.  
• Foods can cause stones too: Foods such as spinach, beets, rhubarb, chocolate, tea, and nuts can lead to kidney stones as all these are rich in phosphate and oxalate leading to Bladder & Renal Stone Treatment. 

NU Hospitals offers the best Kidney Stone Treatment for adults and children. Call/visit the website to book your appointment today.

How to Differentiate Between Kidney Pain and Back Pain?

Sometimes, it can become difficult for all of us to identify between kidney pain and back pain. Our kidneys are placed beneath the rib-cage towards the back, and hence, kidney pain may sometimes be easily mistaken for back pain. In this article, we will talk about the symptoms and types of pain so as to make it easier to identify in the initial stages whether you have back pain or kidney pain, which must always be followed up by professional medical guidance. 

Kidney Pain 

Usually, it’s kidney stones or a kidney infection that causes kidney pain. So, look out for these features if you suspect kidney pain: 

Location of the pain: 

Kidney pain would usually occur in the flank area, which is the part on either side of your spine between the hips and the rib-cage’s bottom. 

Pain Analysis:

If it is a sharp pain, it may be kidney stones, while a dull pain would reflect a kidney infection. 

Although it won’t increase with moving around, it would definitely require treatment at the earliest to prevent further damage. 

Pain radiation: 

The pain may sometimes move towards the lower abdomen or the inner thighs and this phenomenon is known as radiation of the pain. 

Kidney Treatment: 

Irrespective of the source or cause of pain, kidney pain will need expert-guided treatment. The doctor may, depending on the issue, prescribe certain procedures such as Kidney stones treatment and kidney infection diagnosis etc., 

Book An Online Video Consultation with our Doctors For Kidney Disease In Bangalore

Associated Symptoms:

• Chills & Fever 
• Vomiting
• Dark urine or cloudy in texture 
• Frequent urination 
• Urinary pain
• Bladder infection 
• Urinary blood 

Back Pain

In terms of findings, back pain is more common than kidney pain. Back pains are a result of minor muscle pulls, bone and nerve injuries pertaining to the back. If you are confused whether the pain you're experiencing is back pain or kidney pain, look out for the features to know it’s the back. 

Location of pain:

Back pain, although can occur in a wide surface area, is usually felt in the lower back or on one of the buttocks. 

Pain Analysis:

A dull ache would mean a minor muscle pull, however, if it’s a sharp, burning sensation it may be revealing a damaged nerve. While muscle pains are known to affect both sides, nerve damage would cause pain in one side along with muscle spasms and weakness. 

For the best Urologist Doctors In Bangalore, you can visit NU Hospitals, Bangalore.

Why living donor kidney transplant is better than decreased donor kidney transplant

Renal Transplantation surgeries or kidney transplantation is a surgical procedure performed by a kidney specialist surgeons known as nephrologists. In this procedure, a healthy kidney is taken from a donor who may be living or deceased. The healthy kidney is then placed in the patient whose kidneys are failing.

 

When suffering through kidney problem, it can wreak good moments in life. So, many patients are recommended renal transplant.

The advantage of getting one is that the food and drink restrictions are fewer than before (keeping a healthy diet, nether-the-less). The newfound energy is exhilarating and improves with passing months.  A successful kidney transplant also ends up being a boon wherein one may resume the life the patient lived before getting kidney disease. It is also safe to say that once a kidney is suited into the body, the kidney may last over a decade or even decades.

 

However, renal transplantations also have a bane attached. As things may not go according to plan no matter how well the surgery went. The risks include chances of contracting infection, and kidney rejection and then dialysis.

 

This brings in the question of dialysis. Why get it and can it be avoided? Many today prefer to get a renal or kidney transplant before they can start with dialysis. However, dialysis is taken mostly due to the lack of a donor match or other health complications. When seeking to answer such an important question, it is suggested to consult with doctors from hospitals that specialise in this treatment. And one of the best kidney transplant hospitals in Bangalore is NU Hospitals.

 

Types of Kidney Transplant

 

Living donors

Did you know a body can function perfectly well with just one healthy kidney? This is one of the reasons why a family member who has two healthy kidneys may choose to donate one of them the family member with failing kidneys. Living donors are usually preferred from the family since finding a matching with the blood and tissues to that of the patient’s is higher. Another plus point of receiving a kidney from a family member is the reduced chances of the patient’s body rejecting the kidney.

Deceased donors

These kidney donations are received from a recently deceased person. Usually, the kidney is taken from a deceased person, usually dead by an accident rather than a disease. It’s mostly donated because the donor or donor’s family has chosen to give away the organs to help another.

With this kind of transplant, rejection of the foreign kidney from an unrelated donor is always high. However, this is a good alternative in case the patient has no family member who’s able to donate a kidney or has no living family members. There are many kidney transplants cases in Bangalore that have had to use the cadaver or deceased donor option. Though finding a match and waiting for the body to accept the kidney does take some time, advancements in treatments and medications have increased the success rates.

 

How to Prevent Bladder Cancer?

As we all know, old age for most comes with its share of changes, especially in the way the body functions and responds to certain abnormalities. While people in their old age are more susceptible to risks, it is important to know that irrespective of one’s age, a healthy lifestyle and positive outlook towards a daily routine helps one reduce the risks considerably if not eliminate the chances completely.

 

One such ailment which one must always be wary of is bladder cancer. Here, we are going to share with you a few bladder cancer prevention techniques which can help you and your loved ones be more cautious and proactive in the later years of life as it is more common in older men than young boys and/or girls. One of the major deterrents in a bladder cancer prevention regime is the habit of smoking. Prolonged smoking leads to some genetic changes in the body, which, with time, may develop into bladder cancer.

It is imperative to note that different age levels expose different risk factors and levels. For example, a man has 1 out of 27 chances of developing bladder cancer during his lifetime while the same for a woman is 1 in 89 chances. Studies show that people who have the habit of chain-smoking, and / or who are subjected to harmful fumes and chemicals due to their profession may be at a greater risk of developing bladder cancer.

Risk factors for bladder cancer

Exposure to the below can increase the risk of bladder cancer in the later years. Knowing what they are early in life can only make one more cautious and proactive towards bladder cancer prevention: 

·  Industrial chemicals

·  Aromatic amines 

·  Arsenic 

·  Rubber 

·  Aluminium 

·  Paint products 

·  Genetic history 

·  Bladder infections 

·  Birth defects 

·   

·  Lack of hydration 

·  Medications

While bladder cancer treatment will involve the usual cancer treatment procedures, it is always advisable for people to take the necessary steps for bladder cancer prevention:

·  Reduce smoking 

·  Drink enough water

·  Well-balanced diet (Fruits and Veggies, fish rich in omega-3 along with lean protein and red meat)

It is imperative to be conscious about any changes in the body especially in the later years of life as any abnormality could be a sign and / or symptom of bladder cancer. Hence, it is always recommended to seek professional medical guidance if and when in doubt. 

 

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.

Kidney Biopsy Tests: Procedure, Risks & Results

In order to diagnose a disease or the extent to which it has spread in the body, the doctor may sometimes employ a method where he / she would extract a tiny piece of tissue from the affected or surrounding area for examination; this diagnostic procedure is called a Biopsy. When this procedure is used to diagnose whether the kidneys are affected by cancer, the process is known as Kidney Biopsy or Renal Kidney Biopsy. The test aids the doctor with the necessary information such as the disease severity, the spread of the ailment, and the risks it may pose, thus, enabling the professional in determining the apt treatment and cure strategy.

 Before we discuss kidney biopsy procedure further, it is important to have an in depth look at the various different types of biopsies that are performed.

 There are primarily two types of Renal Kidney Biopsy, both of which are performed fairly widely, however, based on a patient’s conditions or the doctor’s recommendations, the subject to choose rests upon the team of healthcare professionals.  

·  Open Biopsy also known as Surgical Biopsy

·  Renal Needle Biopsy also known as Percutaneous Biopsy

Factors that lead to a renal kidney biopsy:

·  Un-diagnosable ailment in the kidney/s

·  Sudden malfunction of kidney/s 

·  Blood in the urine

·  Excess protein (urea) in the urine 

·  Observation of a transplanted kidney 

Kidney Biopsy Procedure: 

·  Open Biopsy: This process is helpful when the doctor requires a large portion of kidney tissue. A small incision is made near the kidney and once the sample is collected, it is stitched back.

·  Percutaneous Biopsy: In this process, a thin needle is employed. The needle is inserted into the body, and with the use of ultrasound or tomography, the location for extracting the tissue is identified. 

Risks Associated with Renal Biopsy

If you notice any of the signs and symptoms as mentioned below, seek immediate medical attention, as more often than not, these signs may lead to certain kidney biopsy risks: 

·  Difficulty in urination 

·  Presence of blood beyond a day after the biopsy was conducted 

·  Urgent and / frequent need to urinate 

·  Urinary burns 

·  Above points accompanied by fever or chills 

·  Post-biopsy pain in the affected area 

·  Nausea

·  Renal biopsies, in some rare cases, may even cause internal organ damage 

Apart from these indicators, some kidney biopsy complications may happen due to other reasons too, such as certain infections. 

Infections:

·  Affected flow of blood through the kidneys 

·  Diseases in the connective tissues 

·  Diabetes 

·  Kidney transplant rejection 

Additional tests may be recommended by the professional to devise a fully tailored treatment regime. Even the reports from a biopsy are vital in determining the changing the course of treatment, if required.