Kidney disease

Kidney disease-or renal disease-refers to any disease that affects the functioning and health of the kidneys. Kidneys are vital organs that filter out waste products and excess fluids from the blood and finally excrete them in the urine; along with the metabolic wastes or toxins they filter from the blood. The disease of the kidneys, whenever upset in even one single way, may cause a failure of the filtering actions of the kidneys and thus will allow toxins and wastes to accumulate in the body fluid.

Types of Kidney Disease

Kidney disease is classified basically into two forms: acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD).

1. Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a sudden and mostly reversible loss of kidney function, the common causes being injury, severe infection, dehydration, or temporal aggravation by different medications. AKI may be treated promptly if diagnosed and could become another condition in case the kidney's damage becomes permanent.

 2. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

Chronic kidney disease is the progressive, irreversible condition in which the kidneys are gradually dying, mostly due to diabetes, hypertension, or inflammation of the filtering units of the kidney (glomerulonephritis), and therefore could last for years. It is usually staged in five phases when considering severity, based on glomerular function or the glomerular filtration rate (GFR)-stage 5 being that of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or complete renal failure requiring dialysis or transplantation. 

Causes of Kidney Disease

There are several factors that contribute to kidney disease. They include:

• Diabetes: The disease causes high blood sugar levels, which damage the blood vessels supplying the kidneys.
• Hypertension (high blood pressure): Its persistent high levels can put a strain on and even injure kidney tissues.
• Glomerulonephritis: Inflammation or damage of the glomeruli, the minute structures that play a prime role in filtration in the kidneys.
• Polycystic Kidney Disease: A genetic disorder leading to cystic formation in the kidneys.
• Infections: Untreated urinary tract infections or kidney infections may be responsible for some degree of kidney damage.
• Obstructions: Kidney stones or goiters hinder the urinary tracts among others, whereby this can subsequently affect the functioning of the kidney.
• Medications: Some drugs, mainly consisting of analgesics and certain antibiotics, cause irreversible damage to the kidneys over time.

Symptoms

In the early stages of kidney disease, the patient often presents with no symptoms. However, an advance in the disease would show:

• Fatigue and weakness
• Swelling (edema) in the legs, ankles, or face
• Difficulty concentrating
• Decreased urine production or frequent urination, particularly at night
• Blood in urine
• High blood pressure
• Nausea and vomiting
• Shortness of breath
• Muscle cramps

Diagnosis

Kidney disease is usually diagnosed through a combination of blood tests, urine tests, and imaging studies:

• Blood tests: Measures creatinine levels and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels as a measure of kidney function.
• GFR: Glomerular filtration rate- estimates how well the kidneys are filtering waste products from the blood.
• Urinalysis: It identifies blood, protein, or very slow abnormal substances in the urine.
• Ultrasound or CT scans: Images of the kidneys can reveal structural deformities.

Treatment

The treatment of kidney disease has been determined by the cause, form of the health condition, and its stage:

• Medications: Drugs will ostensibly represent substantial success in hypertension, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia, thus helping in the management of CKD.
• Lifestyle changes: Altering one's dietary practices, exercise patterns, and quitting smoking significantly reduces the progression of kidney diseases.
• Dialysis: In patients with end-stage or kidney failure, dialysis is a blood purification method.
• Kidney transplantation: In end-stage renal disease cases, transplantation of a kidney may need to be done. 

Prevention

Preventing kidney disease involves managing underlying conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension, and leading the lifestyle that conforms to certain values:

• Regular check-ups and assessment of renal functions
• Control of blood pressure and blood sugar
• Low-sodium balanced diet and elimination of processed foods
• Hydration
• Avoid excessive use of painkillers and nephrotoxic medications. 

Prognosis

There is a significant variation in prognosis for renal illness based on whether it is chronic or acute, histological pattern, and timing of presentation for diagnosis and intervention. A timely intervention is paramount as it could slow the disease's progression, thus improving the quality of existence. Such long-term treatment in cases of ESRD may be vascular access or dependent on the model followed thereafter.

Conclusion

Kidney disease is a serious condition that can significantly affect overall health. Early detection and management become critical, thereby preventing irreversible damage and improving the health status of the affected.