Kidney Diseases: Types, symptoms and risk factors
There are two different types of doctors who treat kidneys, urologist and nephrologist. The urologist is a surgeon that can remove cancers of kidneys, open blockages in ureters from stones, and help drain the bladder better. Whereas, a nephrologist is a specialist that helps in maximizing the kidney’s function and support it with dialysis when necessary.
Kidney Disease Overview
Chronic kidney disease, also known as the silent killer. This is because people suffering from CKD feel little to no symptoms when they are diagnosed.
Now, you must be wondering what types of medical conditions can affect the function of your kidneys? What are the common symptoms? And when to contact a kidney specialist in Lucknow.
If you are suffering from any of the following symptoms or disease, you should contact your doctor immediately:
- Acute kidney injury: This disease refers to the rapid onset of the kidney, which is related to dehydration, inadequate drainage from the urinary tract, kidney problems related to surgery, or shock.
- Chronic renal failure: This disease can be caused by many different medical conditions such as diabetes, obesity, kidney stones, congenital, and chronic kidney infection.
- Glomerulonephritis: it is an inflammation of the kidneys that is caused by many different processes, including the bacteria that causes strep throat.
Kidney diseases are described by 5 different stages based on their severity. Grade 1 refers to mild kidney disease, whereas grade 5 refers to renal failure. This usually indicates that the person needs a transplant or dialysis.
In addition, to cure kidney problems, kidney doctors also help in managing the symptoms that are associated with kidney diseases such as high blood pressure and electrolyte disturbance.
Symptoms of Kidney Disease
To understand common symptoms of kidney diseases, it is best to review the structure and function of the kidneys. Your kidneys are located near your spine. Any injury to your back or side of your diaphragm can injure your kidneys as well. Your kidneys are responsible for many important tasks in the body such as;
- They filter blood to remove toxins,
- Maintain levels of electrolytes
- Maintain fluid balance in your body.
If you become dehydrated, your kidneys will ensure that the status of the fluid in your body is maintained, but prolonged dehydration can lead to kidney injury. If your kidney is not working properly, it can affect the levels of potassium and sodium in your body. Since potassium is required for proper heart functioning, kidney problems can lead to abnormal heart rhythms.
If you are suffering from abnormal blood pressure, it can lead to kidney damage. Kidney damage can also result in anemia. Since kidneys are responsible for making the hormone that produces red blood cells, kidney damage can lead to lower blood count.
People suffering from urinary problems, like difficulty in urinating also experience flank pain, because of the location of the kidneys.
Diagnosing Kidney Disease
There are many tests that can be done to determine what type of kidney problem you are suffering from. These tests include blood urea nitrogen test, creatinine test, urine test, and imaging tests like MRI, CT, and IVP.
When to meet a Nephrologist
As mentioned in the beginning, chronic kidney diseases have little to no symptoms, so you might not visit a doctor until you are severely affected by the disease. That said, you should go for regular tests to check to ensure there are no abnormalities in your blood.
Risk Factors for Kidney Disease
Since kidney disease can become deadly before any symptoms show up, it is important for you to be aware of your medical condition. People who are suffering from the following problems are at much higher risk of kidney failure:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Cerebrovascular and peripheral vascular disease.
- Family history of kidney problems
- Prolonged use of drugs like Celebrex and Advil.
Treatments
Many early problems can be treated with medicines and making changes in your lifestyle. In many advanced stages, your doctor may perform dialysis because that is the only way to remove toxins from your blood.
When it comes to treating kidney diseases, a person has to make a lot of changes in their life to reduce the effect of the disease. A doctor can help you manage a symptom but ultimately your lifestyle and medical conditions determine whether you will be successfully treated or not.
The best way to diagnose any kind of medical condition is to visit your doctor and undergo medical tests on a regular basis. This will help you check any kind of abnormality in your body and allows you to take the necessary actions.
So, if you are suffering from dehydration, having trouble with urination, or has a history of kidney problems, it is best to contact your kidney doctor immediately.
