Chronic kidney disease is claimed to affect 1 in 10 adults worldwide. Early diagnosis provides timely treatment in kidney diseases as well as in all diseases.
The death rate from kidney disease continues to increase from year to year, and chronic kidney disease is predicted to be the fifth leading cause of death worldwide by 2040.
The kidneys are glandular organs located in the lower back, one kidney on each side of the spinal cord. The main function of the kidney is to filter the blood and remove the toxins it sends to the bladder, and the bladder excretes them through urine. When kidney failure occurs, there is a decrease in urine output, which often leads to a buildup of toxins in the body. It is a life-threatening condition that needs to be treated. Although it is a vital organ, it is possible to continue living with only one kidney.
The anatomy of the kidney is complex because each kidney is made up of approximately one million building blocks called nephrons. Nephrons can be called microscopic filters because each of them performs the task of filtering the blood. The final filtrate formed by passing through the filters becomes urine, which reaches the bladder from the kidneys through the ureters. The kidneys are closely related to other vital organs such as the heart, lungs, and liver, and their good connections provide healthy stability in the body.
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CHRONIC RENAL DISEASES MAY NOT SYMPTOMS
Kidneys play an extremely valuable role in our body. They control the levels of many minerals and molecules in the blood, including sodium and potassium, and help control blood acidity. They control the salt and water stability in the body, thus they regulate blood pressure.
When kidney function drops below a certain point, it is called kidney failure. Kidney failure affects the whole body and can be life-threatening if left untreated. Early chronic kidney disease has no symptoms. Chronic kidney disease does not go away on its own, but it can be treated. The sooner you realize what you have, the better your chances of effective treatment. Blood and urine tests are used to check for kidney diseases. It should not be forgotten that kidney diseases can turn into kidney failure.
CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS OF RENAL FAILURE
The health of the kidneys is affected by many different factors. Some of the most common causes of kidney failure are:
Insufficient Blood Supply to the Kidneys
Including heart attack, heart failure or other heart disease or liver problems, dehydration, allergic responses, sepsis and other major types of infections There are some conditions and diseases that can cause the blood flow to the kidneys to be cut off. Certain medications that reduce inflammation and hypertension can also restrict blood flow.
Urinary Tract Obstruction
There are some cancers that can prevent urination, such as colon cancer, bladder cancer, and prostate cancer. Kidney stones and blood clots in the urinary system can also cause urination issues.
Other Causes
Other causes include drug and alcohol use as well as consumption of toxic heavy metals. In some cases, there is no clear indication that kidney failure is occurring, and these are some of the symptoms that should be taken as a warning:
– Decreased urine production,
– Swelling of ankles, feet and legs due to fluid retention,
– Sudden difficulty in breathing,
– Confusion,
– Very tired or drowsy,
– Nausea all the time,
– Chest pain.
Some patients with kidney failure can go into a coma, so it is very valuable to diagnose the disease before it worsens. Some tests for kidney failure include urinalysis, urine volume measurement, blood samples, and imaging techniques. Treatment varies depending on the cause of the kidney dysfunction. Common treatments include dialysis and kidney transplant in the middle.
It is valuable to see a specialist as soon as symptoms appear, but the best way to protect kidney health is to take precautions. Avoiding excessive and unnecessary drug consumption, consuming tobacco products and alcohol, and avoiding inhalation of toxins and harmful chemicals such as pesticides and chemical cleaners are valuable in preventing kidney disease.
SYMPTOMS OF CHRONIC RENAL DISEASE
Kidney disease often does not cause specific symptoms, that is, symptoms that can be caused by other diseases are seen. Kidneys are highly adaptable organs and can make up for lost function. Therefore, symptoms may not appear until irreversible damage occurs. Symptoms of chronic kidney disease develop gradually in parallel with the progression of kidney damage. The most common of these are:
– Nausea,
– Vomiting,
– Loss of appetite,
– Fatigue and weakness,
– Sleep problems,
– Changes in urination,
– Muscle twitching and cramps,
– Swelling of feet and ankles,
– Always itching,
– Chest pain,
– Shortness of breath if fluid accumulates around the heart,
– High blood pressure that is difficult to control if fluid accumulates in the lungs.
The primary consequence of undetected chronic kidney disease is the risk of loss of kidney function. This means that systemic dialysis therapy or a kidney transplant is necessary for survival.
Another consequence of chronic kidney disease is a higher risk of premature death from heart attack and stroke. Individuals who appear healthy and are later diagnosed with chronic kidney disease are at increased risk of dying prematurely from cardiovascular disease, regardless of whether they have kidney failure.
If chronic kidney disease is diagnosed early and managed appropriately, it can be treated and the risk of associated diseases can be reduced.
How to reduce the risk of developing chronic kidney disease?
Follow package directions when using over-the-counter pain relievers such as aspirin and ibuprofen. Taking too many pain relievers can cause kidney damage and should be avoided mainly if you have kidney disease. Ask your doctor if these drugs are safe for you.
– Be at a healthy weight. Try to maintain your weight and stay active with physical activity more than once a week. If you need to lose weight, consult an expert about healthy weight loss methods.
– Quit smoking and alcohol. Smoking and drinking alcohol can damage the kidneys and worsen existing kidney damage.
– If you have a condition that increases the risk of kidney disease, definitely seek medical advice to get the condition under control and prevent further organ damage.