Kidney Disease

Our kidneys are very important to us. Without actively functioning kidneys, the presence of kidney disease can be devastating for a person. In the worst case scenario, an individual will need to be on dialysis or receive a kidney transplant to replace the diseased kidneys.

There are several different types of kidney disease, some of which are worse than others. Kidney disease can be "acute", meaning it is of a fast onset or "chronic" meaning the decline in kidney function is slow. Both kinds of kidney disease can be due to autoimmune disorders, toxins, medications or infections. Diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure can gradually worsen the function of the kidneys.

Another classification of kidney disease occurs when the kidneys leak out certain body fluids or substances. One of these diseases is hematuria or blood in the urine. This can come from sickened kidneys that leak out blood cells from the capillaries in the kidneys. The other is fairly common and is called proteinuria. Proteinuria is when protein, mostly albumin, leaks out from the body. This can become so great that there is not enough protein in the blood of the rest of the body. We need our protein to keep the fluid in the blood vessels and without it, fluid leaks out into the tissues all over the body. This condition is known as "nephrotic syndrome".

The presence of kidney stones is another kidney disease. This can occur when a person secretes too much calcium oxalate into the urine and doesn't drink enough water. Uric acid can cause kidney stones as well. The calcium oxalate or the uric acid builds up in the urinary area of the kidneys and precipitates into a stone that, if passed, becomes very painful. Kidney stones do not fit well in the ureters and they get stuck, causing a back of urine and extreme pain. Infections can occur with kidney stones as well.

Hypertension can cause kidney disease or, in some cases, the medications that treat hypertension (high blood pressure) can cause kidney problems. In some cases, a person has a blockage of one or both arteries leading to the kidneys. The kidneys respond by releasing vasopressin which causes the blood pressure to rise remarkably. There are specific blood pressure medications that address this problem. In some cases, surgery to correct the blockage may need to be done.

Chronic pyelonephritis is another kidney disease. This is a condition where infection seeds into the kidneys (one or both) and causes chronic pain and inflammation in the kidneys. Hematuria can result from this type of kidney infection.

There is one primary kidney disease which is cancerous. Renal cell carcinoma is a type of kidney disease that can occur spontaneously. The cancer can cause pain or bleeding in the area of the kidneys. A CT scan of the abdomen can detect this form of kidney disease. Often, if the cancer doesn't extend beyond the outer capsule of the kidney, the kidney can be removed and the cancer is highly treatable.

Kidney disease can be hereditary. There are a number of rare hereditary kidney diseases that result in leakage of blood or protein from the kidneys. These diseases can sometimes be managed medically but, in other cases, dialysis or kidney transplant are necessary to cure the underlying problem.

By: Michael Webb

Labels: disease kidney, kidney, kidney cancer, kidney cyst, kidney diet, kidney disease, kidney failure, kidney infection, kidney pain, kidney symptoms, kidney transplant, renal failure

Although we tend to take our kidneys for granted, these important organs deserve a little consideration now and then. Often, we don't pay much attention to them until there is a problem. When a kidney malfunctions, you will definitely know it. We've all heard tales of excruciating kidney stones or a painful kidney infection, which, if left untreated, can turn into sepsis that pervades the body and cause substantial harm.

To keep your kidneys functioning as they should, include a few management tips in your health routine. It won't take much time or effort to add these tips to your lifestyle, and the payoff may help to keep you off dialysis in preventing kidney failure later in life.

1. Drink plenty of fluids. We've all heard that drinking eight to ten glasses of water each day promotes better health, but do you know why? Imagine a riverbed that, due to a drought, sinks to low levels and even exposes muddy areas in spots. Debris like tree limbs, large stones, and even flailing fish can be seen floating in the lifeless stream and perhaps sticking to the banks in passing around bends. Then imagine a reservoir with low water levels. It may look dry, dusty, or shallow, with many objects bobbing on the surface that otherwise might be carried off downstream. This grim image is a picture of your bloodstream and kidneys when you don't drink enough fluids. Although the kidneys act as more of a filter than a reservoir, toxins can build up if there isn't enough water pressure to push them through to the urinary tract for excretion.

2. Avoid caffeine. While a couple of cups of tea or coffee, and a little bit of chocolate, may not be bad for most people, don't get hooked on drinking multiple cups of caffeine beverages each day. Your kidneys will be forced to work harder and pump out fluid and toxins when they become dehydrated by caffeine's purging effect and more active by its metabolism-boosting powers. If you find that you are urinating several times a day more than you used to, try cutting back on caffeine products to see if that helps. Too much caffeine isn't good for your body in many ways, and kidney stress is one of them.

3. Cut back on bumpy road rides. Long-distance truck drivers may have a higher incidence of kidney bruising or damage than people in other occupations. Until the possible link is confirmed or disproved, try to take long rides in comfortable seats, and stop for frequent breaks to get out of the vehicle and stretch your legs, which will be good for your back as well as your kidneys and other organs.

4. Eat cleansing foods. Some experts believe that cranberry juice helps to reduce bacteria in the urinary tract by keeping it from sticking to tissues where it can build up and cause an infection. A few glasses of this refreshing beverage each week might be enough to promote better kidney health. Some practitioners claim that white rice is a good food for cleansing the body. You may want to include this in your diet on occasion, as well.

You will feel better about taking control of your health when you use tips like these to protect your kidneys.

By granola

Labels: disease kidney, kidney, kidney cancer, kidney cyst, kidney diet, kidney disease, kidney failure, kidney infection, kidney pain, kidney symptoms, kidney transplant, renal failure