The kidneys are among the essential organs in the body. They help eliminate toxins from the blood and transform the impurities into urine. Unfortunately, several diseases may affect the kidneys and prevent them from functioning correctly. As per estimates, around six million people in our country aged 18 or older suffer from kidney disease. It can affect one or both kidneys and can be severe enough to require dialysis or even transplantation if not managed.

What are the types of kidney diseases?
They are mainly divided into chronic kidney disease (CKD) and acute kidney disease (AKD):

Chronic kidney disease
CKD is a long-term problem affecting the organ’s ability to filter waste from the blood. Here, the kidney is affected gradually, usually due to ailments like diabetes or high blood pressure. The main symptoms are tiredness, feeling sick more often, and weakness in one arm or leg when standing up (this may go away on standing up straight).

Acute kidney disease
AKD occurs suddenly and is more severe but not a long-term problem. It may result from damage to the organ due to an illness or treatment. The symptoms include chest pain, stomach pain, loss of appetite, and fever, among others.

What are the most common kidney diseases?
Some of the most common ones are kidney stones, glomerulonephritis, polycystic kidney disease, and urinary tract infection (UTI). Let us take a closer look:

Kidney stones
These are hard deposits of calcium and other substances inside the organ. Kidney stones can be as tiny as a salt grain or as large as a lime. They may cause pain in the lower back, side, or abdomen and blood in the urine. The pain is caused by pressure on one or more of the ureters—the two tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder. A stone moves through these tubes and causes a blockage when it becomes lodged at any point or gets bigger than 1 mm. This blockage causes urinating to become painful or difficult, a condition called urinary retention.

Glomerulonephritis
It is a disease of the glomeruli (nephron)—small blood vessels in the kidneys. The main symptom is proteinuria (blood in the urine). Glomerulonephritis can cause kidney failure if left untreated or if the patient has another condition that makes their kidneys more susceptible to damage. The causes of glomerulonephritis include granulomatous diseases (such as sarcoidosis and Wegener’s granulomatosis), long-lasting viral infections (such as hepatitis B or C), and autoimmune disorders (like lupus).

Polycystic kidney disease
It is a genetic disease that can cause the organ to be abnormally shaped and develop cysts. If a person has polycystic kidney disease, they may experience fatigue, thirstiness, and frequent urination (early morning or at night). The condition is usually genetic, which means it runs in families.

Urinary tract infection
A urinary tract infection is mainly caused by bacteria called Escherichia coli (E. coli). Sometimes, it is also caused by other infections like yeast or fungus that grow in the bladder or kidneys. UTIs usually affect women and cause pain and burning while urinating and frequent urination. However, they usually do not need powerful treatments because they lead to mild symptoms in most cases. Nevertheless, if one develops signs like blood in the urine, they must seek immediate attention from an expert.

What are the symptoms of kidney disease?
While the symptoms might differ from condition to condition, there are a few common symptoms one should never ignore. These include blood in the urine, fever (low grade or high), chills, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and pain in the abdomen, which patients may feel as a burning sensation or heaviness. Swelling in the feet is another common sign, especially if a person has diabetes or hypertension.

How to manage kidney diseases with treatment?
Dialysis is one of the most common treatments for severe cases. It is usually needed when the kidneys fail and cannot do their job. There are various types of dialysis. The options available include:

Peritoneal dialysis (PD)
Doctors use a catheter to transfer special cleansing dialysis fluid to the patient’s peritoneal cavity—the open spaces in the abdomen. The fluid cleans the blood impurities through the abdomen’s internal wall. Once its job is done, doctors drain the fluid. PD requires multiple daily sessions but can be done at home or in a dialysis center.

Hemodialysis
This treatment involves removing blood from one’s arm, filtering it through special machines, and returning filtered blood to the body via an artery. This process repeats until all waste materials have been removed from the system by filtration through these same filters over time.

What lifestyle changes are recommended?
Besides using the proper treatment, one must follow healthy habits. Here are a few tips:

Follow a healthy meal plan
Nutrition is crucial for managing several ailments, and kidney disease is no exception. Healthy foods help patients gain strength to fight the problem. Patients should avoid salt, foods high in potassium (such as bananas), and caffeine. At the same time, they are advised to opt for nutrient-rich foods like cauliflower, blueberries, garlic, red grapes, and olive oil. One must also drink plenty of water.

Exercise regularly
Kidney diseases can affect one’s muscles and bones, so exercise is essential. Patients can opt for aerobic exercises, resistance training, and flexibility and balance exercises. These can improve muscle strength and leg stability. Moreover, exercise can help fight stress, which often sets in when dealing with chronic ailments.

Manage blood sugar and cholesterol
Patients must aim to control their blood pressure and cholesterol levels by eating healthful foods containing less sodium, saturated fat, and cholesterol.

Kidney disease is a common problem in our country. While it can be managed with proper treatment and lifestyle changes, it is essential to know the symptoms to diagnose the condition in time. The kidneys are vital in filtering waste and toxins from the blood. If ignored, the condition may lead to several complications and even death.