Overview

Kidney conditions include urinary tract infections (UTIs), kidney stones, chronic kidney disease (CKD), polycystic kidney disease, nephrotic syndrome, glomerulonephritis, and kidney cancer. Kidneys are vital for filtering blood, balancing fluids, electrolytes, and producing hormones that regulate blood pressure and red blood cell production.

Key Facts

Each kidney contains about 1 million nephrons (the filtering units). Around 10% of the world’s population suffers from chronic kidney disease. Kidney disease is often called a 'silent disease' because symptoms may not appear until significant damage has occurred.

Causes

Major causes include diabetes, hypertension, genetic conditions (like polycystic kidney disease), recurrent urinary infections, autoimmune disorders, long-term use of certain medications (like NSAIDs), kidney stones, dehydration, and exposure to toxins.

Symptoms

Symptoms include flank or lower back pain, blood in urine (hematuria), frequent urination, painful urination, swelling in legs/ankles, fatigue, high blood pressure, nausea, and foamy urine (protein leakage).

Risk Factors

Risk factors include diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, smoking, family history of kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, older age, frequent dehydration, and long-term medication use (like painkillers).

Diagnosis

Diagnosis includes urinalysis (to check protein or blood), blood tests (creatinine, eGFR, BUN), ultrasound or CT scan (to detect stones or structural issues), kidney biopsy (for suspected inflammation/cancer), and MRI if needed.

Prevention

Prevention involves staying hydrated, controlling blood sugar and blood pressure, eating a low-salt balanced diet, avoiding excessive painkiller use, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol, and undergoing regular health checkups if at risk.

Celebs Affected

Celebrities like Selena Gomez (lupus-related kidney disease, received a kidney transplant) and George Lopez (received a kidney transplant) have openly shared their kidney health struggles.

Specialist to Visit

Nephrologists specialize in kidney disease. Urologists handle surgical and structural problems like stones. Transplant surgeons perform kidney transplants. Dietitians help with kidney-friendly diets.

Treatment

• Infections (UTIs/pyelonephritis): Antibiotics and hydration.
• Kidney stones: Pain management, hydration, lithotripsy, or surgery.
• Chronic kidney disease (CKD): Controlling blood sugar, blood pressure, dietary management, medications to slow progression.
• End-stage kidney disease: Dialysis (hemodialysis/peritoneal dialysis) or kidney transplant.

Home-Care

Patients can adopt a kidney-friendly diet (low salt, moderate protein, low potassium/phosphorus if needed), drink adequate water, avoid over-the-counter painkillers, quit smoking, and exercise regularly to maintain overall health.

Complications

Untreated kidney disease can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, bone disease, anemia, electrolyte imbalance, fluid retention, kidney failure, and even death without dialysis or transplant.

Alternative Therapies

Some people try Ayurveda, acupuncture, yoga, and herbal remedies (like nettle tea, ginger, or cranberry for urinary health). However, these should be used cautiously as some herbs can be harmful to the kidneys. Always consult a doctor first.

Living with

Living with kidney disease often requires long-term lifestyle adjustments, strict diet management, regular medical monitoring, and sometimes dialysis. Many patients live fulfilling lives post-transplant with proper care and follow-up.

FAQs