What is chronic kidney disease?
Do you experience swelling in your feet and ankles? Or do you have urinary issues, like passing urine more or less often? If you experience either of these regularly, you must consult your doctor for chronic kidney disease.
Your kidneys remove waste and extra fluid from your blood through your urine. However, when they get damaged, it affects their functioning and leads to excess fluid and waste accumulation in your body. This causes swelling in your feet and ankles or changes in your urine.
Read on to learn more about chronic kidney disease, the causes of chronic kidney disease, and chronic kidney disease treatment.
What are the types of kidney disease?
There are two types of kidney disease:
• Acute kidney injury
Acute kidney injury occurs due to an injury, illness, kidney stones, or drugs. It lasts for a short duration and needs a short course of medication or dialysis to recover.
• Chronic kidney disease
Chronic kidney disease is when the kidneys have been damaged for more than three months, and their normal functioning is affected.
What are the causes of chronic kidney disease?
Chronic kidney disease occurs due to the following health conditions:
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• HIV and AIDS
• Hepatitis B and hepatitis C (Inflammation of the liver)
• Urinary tract infection
• Infection in the filters of the kidneys
• Immune system diseases, like Lupus
• Polycystic kidney disease (fluid-filled sacs in the kidneys)
• Long-term use of drugs like NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
What are the symptoms of chronic kidney disease?
Chronic kidney disease symptoms develop gradually. You may not notice the signs initially. But over time, you will experience the following:
• High blood pressure
• Swelling in the ankles and feet
• Urinating more or less
• Change in the colour of the urine
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Disturbed sleep
• Itchy skin
• Muscle cramps
• Chest pain (due to fluid accumulation around the heart)
• Trouble breathing (due to fluid accumulation in the lungs)
What are the treatment options for kidney disease?
Your doctor will prescribe options for chronic kidney disease treatment after a complete diagnosis that includes:
• Blood tests
• Urine tests
• Imaging tests
• Kidney biopsy
Your doctor will create a chronic kidney disease treatment plan to help slow down the disease and its complications. This will depend upon the causes of chronic kidney disease.
The treatment plan will typically consist of-
• Medications to control high blood pressure
• Medications to bring down the swelling in the feet and ankles; these consist of diuretics to maintain fluid balance in the body
• Medications to treat anaemia and get relief from fatigue and weakness
• Medicines to lower cholesterol levels
• Medicines and vitamin D and calcium supplements to protect your bones
• A diet low in protein, sodium and potassium, to reduce the waste products in the blood and help lessen the amount of work your kidneys have to do
• Regular health check-ups to determine if the disease is stable or progressing
Kidney failure occurs when your kidneys don’t function normally and clear the waste and fluids.
Treatment for end-stage kidney disease consists of-
• Dialysis: Artificial removal of fluid and waste products from the blood.
• Kidney transplant: Surgically placing a healthy kidney into your body.
Can you prevent kidney disease?
You can reduce the risk of chronic kidney disease by practising the following:
• Maintain a healthy weight: Eat a balanced diet of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats. Exercise regularly to maintain a healthy weight.
• Manage your health conditions: Maintaining healthy blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure levels is crucial in preventing chronic kidney disease. Go for regular health check-ups and blood tests.
• Quit smoking: As cigarette smoking can damage your kidneys, it is advisable to quit smoking.
• Check for instructions on over-the-counter medications: Long-term consumption of painkillers, like Ibuprofen or aspirin, can damage the kidneys. Always consult your doctor before taking these painkillers. Avoid self-medication.
Myths and facts about chronic kidney disease
Here are some myths and facts about chronic kidney disease that will help you stay aware and seek timely medical help.
Myth: If I pass a lot of urine, my kidneys are healthy.
Fact: In the early stages of the disease, the kidneys gradually lose their ability to function normally. So, initially, you may have to pass urine more often.
Myth: Kidney disease is curable.
Fact: Kidney diseases, like acute kidney injury, can be reversed with timely treatment. The progression of other kidney diseases can be slowed by managing health conditions and a diet low in salt and sodium.
Myth: Only dialysis helps treat kidney disease.
Fact: Medication, diet, and exercise can help slow the progression of early-stage chronic kidney disease. Dialysis is required only if the condition worsens and leads to kidney failure.
Takeaway
Medication and a low-protein, low-sodium diet can help manage acute kidney injury. A healthy diet and lifestyle can also help prevent the condition. Timely medical help goes a long way in getting the right treatment and controlling your symptoms.
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