We’re born with two kidneys. Made up of 1 -1.5 million nephrons (tiny filters) each, our kidneys perform the complex task of filtering the blood in our body. They remove the excess water, toxins and waste substances/ chemicals as urine.

However, even slightest damage to the kidneys can lead to toxin and fluid build-up in the body, which in turn can cause permanent kidney damage.

How a healthy kidneys function:

• Maintains a healthy balance of water and minerals like sodium, potassium, and phosphorus in your blood
• Helps remove toxins and waste products from the blood
• Produces renin, which helps manage blood pressure
• Produces erythropoietin, which in turn helps your body produce red blood cells
• Produces an active form of vitamin D that’s crucial bone health and other functions

Kidney failure or the inability of the kidneys to perform the above functions can be classified into two:

1. Acute Kidney Diseases

If the kidneys stop working all of a sudden, it is termed as acute kidney injury or acute renal failure. This can be due to conditions including:

• Direct damage to the kidneys
• Insufficient blood flow in the kidneys
• Urine retention in the kidneys

The causes of these conditions can be:

• A traumatic injury with severe blood loss
• Severe infection in the blood called sepsis
• A dehydrated muscle tissue breaks down, sending too much protein into the bloodstream
• Enlarged prostate that’s blocking the urine flow
• Complications during pregnancy, such as eclampsia (high-blood pressure)
• Autoimmune diseases, wherein one’s own immune system attacks the body
• Certain drugs/ NSAIDs

2. Chronic Kidney Diseases

When the kidneys haven’t functioned normally for more than 3 months, it called chronic kidney disease. The symptoms of chronic kidney disease might not appear until there is almost 80% damage. However, earlier the detection, easier it is to treat.

This condition may require dialysis or kidney transplant.

Other Causes

• Diabetes (types 1 and 2)
• Hypertension
• Immune system diseases including Lupus Nephritis
• Long-lasting viral illnesses, such as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C
• Recurrence of Pyelonephritis or a urinary tract infection within the kidneys
• Inflammation in the glomeruli or tiny filters within the kidneys
• Polycystic kidney disease
• Congenital/ by-birth defects
• Certain drugs and toxins

Symptoms

• Swelling in the feet and ankles Itching, dry skin
• Chest pain (fluid builds up around the heart)
• Shortness of breath (fluid build up in the lungs)
• Uncontrolled hypertension/ high blood pressure
• Nausea/ Vomiting
• Low appetite
• Fatigue/ weakness
• Sleep issues
• Changes in urination pattern
• Decreased concentration
• Muscle twitches and cramps
• Confusion
• Coma (in severe cases)

Management

• If the condition is chronic, it means life-long. Your Nephrologist will create a treatment plan that will slow down the progression of damage of the kidneys and keep them functioning
• Firstly, the cause of the damage will be ascertained.
• Your Nephrologist will prescribe you medicines or recommend dialysis if the condition is severe.
• You might need to alter your lifestyle completely and adopt a healthier diet (your Renal Dietician will help you with this)
• You will need to keep check on the two biggest threats: hypertension and diabetes
• Maintain optimal body weight
• Exercise regularly (Your doctor will recommend the pattern)
• Regular check-ups/ investigations are a must.

- You will need to check your urine for protein and glucose levels, detect blood in the urine

- Keep a regular check of your blood pressure levels

- Blood checks including HbA1C and Creatinine