Common Kidney Diseases – Types, Symptoms, and Management

The kidneys are responsible for waste products, excess water, and other impurities from the blood. They help regulate pH, salt, and potassium levels in the body. The kidneys also produce hormones that regulate blood pressure and control the production of red blood cells. Lastly, they are also responsible for activating a form of Vitamin D that helps in the absorption of calcium. Healthy kidneys are essential to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Kidney disease, however, is very common across the country. Over 37 million adults in the country suffer from kidney complications that can limit their functioning. Common kidney diseases Damage to the kidneys could be triggered by diabetes, high blood pressure, or other chronic conditions. Lack of adequate treatment may result in complications such as weak bones, nerve damage, and malnutrition. The most common types of kidney diseases are: Chronic kidney disease Chronic kidney disease is a condition caused by high blood pressure, and it does not improve over time. Over time, high blood pressure increases the pressure on tiny blood vessels in the kidneys called glomeruli. This pressure can damage the blood vessels, causing kidney function to decline. In some situations, this deterioration may cause the kidneys to stop functioning, and a person would need to be put on dialysis to filter extra fluid and waste out of the blood. In extreme situations, a kidney transplant may be required. Symptoms: Symptoms of chronic kidney disease include vomiting, nausea, fatigue, weakness, frequent urination, chronic muscle cramps, high blood pressure, dry and itchy skin, and sleep issues. Management: Chronic kidney disease generally has no cure. Treatments usually involve controlling signs and symptoms, reducing complications, and slowing down the progression of the disease. These involve treatments to control blood pressure and cholesterol and treatments to relieve swelling and treat anemia. Supplements like Vitamin D and calcium may also be prescribed to protect the bones, and doctors may recommend eating less protein to reduce waste products in the blood. For people experiencing near-complete kidney failure, dialysis or a kidney transplant may be advised. Kidney stones Kidney stones occur when minerals and other substances in the blood form solid crystals in the body. These usually come out of the body during urination. While passing kidney stones can be painful, they rarely cause any serious problems. Symptoms: The main symptoms of kidney stones are severe, sharp pain in the side and back, pain that radiates to the lower abdomen and groin, pain that comes in waves and fluctuates in intensity, and pain or burning sensation while urinating. Other symptoms include pink, red, or brown urine, cloudy or foul-smelling urine, nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, and constant urination. Management: Small kidney stones with minimal symptoms can generally be resolved without invasive treatments. This process can be aided by drinking a healthy amount of water, consuming pain relievers, or taking treatments like alpha-blockers. For larger stones, doctors may prefer using sound waves to break up the stones or suggest a procedure called percutaneous nephrolithotomy to remove the stones surgically. A ureteroscope may also be used for removing stones. Parathyroid gland surgery may be necessary for stones caused by overactive parathyroid glands. The risk of kidney stones can be reduced by lifestyle changes such as drinking water throughout the day, eating fewer oxalate-rich foods, consuming less salt and animal protein, and exercising caution with calcium supplements. Glomerulonephritis The inflammation of the glomeruli is known as glomerulonephritis. It can be caused by infections or congenital abnormalities and often gets better on its own. Symptoms: Signs and symptoms of glomerulonephritis may include pink or cola-colored urine (hematuria), foamy or bubbly urine (proteinuria), high blood pressure, fluid retention with evident swelling, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps, fatigue, and urinating less than usual. Management: Treating glomerulonephritis can involve prescribing treatments such as immunosuppressants, dialysis, etc. It may also involve treatments such as ACE inhibitors to reduce blood pressure. Depending on the severity, plasmapheresis or dialysis may be recommended. People diagnosed with glomerulonephritis must get their kidneys checked regularly. Doctor's advice and prescriptions must be followed thoroughly to manage the disease. They may also be asked to limit the amount of salt, protein, and potassium they consume to ease the stress on the kidneys. Polycystic kidney disease This is a genetic disorder that causes numerous cysts to grow in the kidneys. These cysts can interfere with kidney function and cause renal failure. Symptoms: Symptoms of polycystic kidney disease include high blood pressure, back or side pain, blood in the urine, feeling of fullness in the abdomen, enlarged kidneys, headaches, kidney stones, kidney failure, and urinary tract or kidney infections. Management: Treating polycystic kidney disease involves managing its various signs, symptoms, and complications. Kidney cyst growth can be managed with pain relievers or cyst removal, and high blood pressure may require ACE inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers. Acetaminophen may be prescribed to manage pain, while infections may require antibiotic intervention. In case of kidney failure, dialysis or a transplant may be recommended. Reducing sodium and fat consumption may help control symptoms such as high blood pressure. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) UTIs are bacterial infections in any part of the urinary system. When left untreated, these can spread from the bladder and urethra to the kidneys, causing kidney failure. Symptoms: UTIs may not always cause symptoms. However, sometimes symptoms may include a strong urge to urinate that does not go away, a burning feeling when urinating, often urination, passing small amounts of urine, cloudy-looking urine, blood in the urine, strong-smelling urine, or pelvic pain. Management: To treat simple UTIs, antibiotics may be prescribed. For those suffering from frequent UTIs, healthcare providers may recommend low-dose antibiotics, self-diagnosis, and treatment, or vaginal estrogen therapy (for menopausal women). In case of severe UTIs, IVs may be required. To ease discomfort during a UTI, it is important to drink plenty of water, avoid drinks (such as citrus juices or coffee) that may irritate the bladder, and use a warm heating pad.