Kidney dysfunction is a serious health disorder that affects millions of people of most age groups in the world. Kidneys are two bean-shaped organs located along your spine, one on either side, which play a vital role in maintaining general health. They filter waste and extra fluids from your blood, save helpful electrolytes, and make hormones that play a significant role in the production of red blood cells and the regulation of blood pressure. These are highly significant organs, and failure to work according to requirements may cause this condition with some health complications. In this blog, we will be explaining what kidney dysfunction is, the symptoms associated with it, the causes, and the types available.
Kidney Dysfunction Understanding
Kidney dysfunction, more medically termed renal failure, or kidney disease, is a case in which kidneys are unable to filter waste through a person’s blood effectively. Such failure can lead to the building up of toxins and fluids within the body, which in turn results in several other health-related issues. Kidney dysfunction might either be acute or chronic; more precisely, CKD is more frequent.
Acute Kidney Dysfunction
Acute kidney dysfunction is an acute loss of renal functions, whose establishment takes hours or days. It usually is curable and turns out to be reversible with timely treatment. Causes include the most extreme states of dehydration, infections, medications, or blockages to the urinary passage. Symptoms may include decreased urine output, swelling, fatigue, and confusion.
Chronic Kidney Dysfunction
Chronic kidney malfunction takes some time to become apparent. On the other hand, generally, it is influenced by health conditions one suffers from. Being a progressive condition, quite often, it may well lead to kidney failure. And in worse cases, dialysis or even the transplantation of the kidney could well become necessary. Early-stage chronic kidney disease typically does not present any symptoms and thus requires periodical monitoring.
Symptoms of Kidney Failure
The signs and symptoms of renal impairment vary according to the type and extent of damage. The early stages of renal disease are relatively symptomless, but this is often followed by the following:
- Changes in Urination: There is more or less frequent urination, especially during sleep at night. The patients may observe different colors, clarity, or odors of the urine.
- Swelling: This results from the collection of fluids leading to swelling in the legs, ankles, and around the eyes. The kidneys cannot excrete the added fluid in the body; hence, the swelling.
- Fatigue: Due to the buildup of toxins and waste products in the blood, one of the common symptoms is chronic fatigue and general weakness.
- Shortness of Breath: The accumulation of fluid in the lungs leads to dyspnoea; this usually occurs during bouts of exertion.
- Nausea and Vomiting: The accumulation of nitrogenous waste products in the body leads to gastrointestinal manifestations; hence nausea and vomiting are common.
- High Blood Pressure: The kidneys play a role in the maintenance of blood pressure, and dysfunction leads to hypertensive states.
- Confusion or Difficulty Concentrating: The accumulation of toxins may result in impaired functioning of the brain; concentration may be difficult, and thoughts may not be clear.
Causes of Kidney Dysfunction
Kidney dysfunction results from a number of causes. Some of the more common ones include:
- Diabetes
The most important cause of chronic kidney disease is considered to be diabetes. High blood sugar happens to destroy the tiny blood vessels inside the kidneys which are responsible for filtering waste from the human body. Diabetic Nephropathy is a major complication common in diabetic patients. - Hypertension
High blood pressure tends to cause damage to the kidneys slowly. Once the kidneys are damaged, they cannot perform their normal functions; this increases the risk of kidney disease. - Glomerulonephritis
This is an inflammation of the filtering units of the kidney glomeruli. This usually results from an infection, autoimmune disease, and other disorders. - Polycystic Kidney Disease
A genetic disorder whereby cysts develop within the kidneys, hindering the action of the kidneys over time. - Obstruction
This involves kidney stones and disorders such as an enlarged prostate because it interferes with the usual course of the flow of urine. Kidneys wouldn’t function when the course of passage of urine is obstructed. - Drugs and Toxins
Long-term use of certain drugs especially NSAIDs leads to renal failure. Similarly toxic substances like heavy metals cause more damage to kidneys. - Infections
Pyelonephritis is an infection of the kidneys which, if severe, may lead to acute failure of the kidneys.
Types of Renal Failure
Kidney dysfunction broadly may be categorized into types, depending upon the underlying cause and nature of the dysfunction. Familiarization with these types is useful for its diagnostic and therapeutic approach.
- Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)
As earlier discussed, AKI is an acute onset- usually transient injury to the kidneys. This most often emanates from elements such as dehydration, blood loss, or certain medications. Management addresses the cause and may hence include fluid resuscitation or dialysis, which could be temporary. - Chronic Kidney Disease
CKD is the progressive destruction of kidneys over time. The classification into different stages was according to the GFR, or the glomerular filtration rate, a measure of kidney function. Therefore, stage 1 being the mildest, and stage 5, being the most severe, indicates kidney failure and thus needs either dialysis or transplantation. - End-Stage Renal Disease
ESRD stands for the final stage of chronic kidney disease in which kidneys are unable to function properly anymore. At this stage, some of the patients depend for survival on the dialysis or transplantation of kidneys. - Nephrotic Syndrome
This condition is caused when glomeruli is damaged, it increases the excretion of proteins in urine to very large amounts. It creates symptoms like swelling, increased cholesterol and low blood protein. - PKD: Polycystic Kidney Disease
PKD is a genetic disorder that consists of the growth of numerous cysts in the kidneys. The kidney tissue around growing cysts is gradually destroyed, causing with time the kidneys to obstruct normal kidney function. Treatment can help control symptoms and complications that result from PKD, but not cure it.
Importance of Early Detection and Treatment
Because of this fact, early diagnosis holds a special place in the management of kidney malfunction. Special emphasis on regular medical check-ups and monitoring of the functions of the kidneys, especially for those people at risk for this such as those suffering from diabetes and hypertension, is needed.
A whole perspective for health Dr. Vikesh Shah, a Cancer Specialist in Ahmedabad, always focuses on. Many cancers and their various forms of treatments result in dysfunction of the kidneys; it, therefore, becomes all the more important for cancer patients to monitor their kidney health very closely. There is a need for coordination among oncologists and nephrologists that may help in avoiding complications and their management accordingly.
Conclusion
Kidney dysfunctionality is a situationally huge health problem where one has to be aware and understand its symptoms, and know the causes and types of kidney diseases. It shall make timely medical attention possible for individuals concerned with it. Regular check-ups, lifestyle modifications, maintaining healthy diets, management of blood pressure, and controlling levels of blood sugar can go a long way in the prevention of kidney dysfunction.
Specific questions relating to renal health, or if you are part of a population subgroup believed to be at risk from renal disease, should be forwarded to your health professional for specific advice and treatment. Your kidneys form a major part of your overall well-being; therefore, the health of your kidneys is extremely crucial.
For more information or any concern regarding your kidney health or related to cancer, you can always contact Dr. Vikesh Shah, your Cancer immunotherapy Specialist in Ahmedabad. Your health is our concern!