• dispose wastes in the form of urine from the food and drinks you consume
• Regulate the amount of salt and water in your body by excreting fluids when the body has an excess amount of fluid and conserving fluid when the body fluid is low
• Stimulate red blood cells and release hormones that help to regulate growth and keep blood pressure normal

What is Kidney disease?

Kidney disease is a general term that includes a range of kidney-related diseases. Some of the common ones are:

Kidney Stones

Kidney stones develop from excess salt or mineral build-up in the urine. The size of kidney stones varies and in the majority of cases, the stones will pass without trouble. In cases, where the stones cannot pass out of the body, they may cause an obstruction and lead to serious kidney damage. They therefore need to be surgically removed. Someo f the known causes of kidney stones are gout, diet, urinary tract infection and dehydration. A person suffering from kidney stone will suffter extreme pain and it will usually occur in the lower back or abdomen. Symptoms include urinary tract infections, fever, burning sensation during urination and bloody urine.

Pyelonephritis

Pyelonephritis is an inflammation of the kidney tissue due to infection and may cause kidney dysfunction if left untreated. Usually, the sufferer will experience flank pain, fever and nausea.

Nephrosis

Nephrosis is a condition which causes the kidneys to remove too much protein from the blood as it is filtered through the kidneys. The conditionis among the most common serious kidney diseases in children. Symptoms include swelling around the eyes, face and ankles due to salt and fluid retention.

Glomeurlonephritis

This may occur in association with strep throat, viral infections, certain drugs and as a result of exposure to certain toxic poisons or chemicals. Common symptoms are blood in urine, swelling of the face, change in frequency of urination, high blood pressure, extreme headaches and convulsions. Glomerulonephritis often resolves itself and treatment includes treating the symptoms and following a restricted diet. In some cases, total kidney failure may result.

Polycystic Kidney Disease

Polycistic kidney disease is hereditary. It is a progressive disease in which cysts form in the kidneys which will eventually end in kidney failure. Patients may have blood in ruine, high blood pressure, kidney stones, enlarged waistlines and experience pain the back, abdomen or side. Unfortunately, this disease cannot be treated.

What is a kidney failure?

A patient is said to have kidney failure or end-stage renal disease (ESRD) when the kidneys are not functioning sufficiently to support life, so much so that waste products accumulate and poison the cells in the body. Uremia (urine in the blood) then results. This condition is permanent and irreversible.

You are unlikely to be aware that the kidneys are failing until more than 50 per cent of the function is lost. Your life will be threatened when the kidney functions are less than five to ten per cent of the normal.

• Burning sensation or difficulty during urination
• More frequent urination, especially at night
• Blood in urine
• Puffiness around eyes
• Swelling of hands and feet
• Pain in the small of back just below ribs
• High blood pressure
• Insomnia
• Distressing diarrhoea
• Poor appetite, nausea
• Frequent headaches

What causes kidney failure?

There are no known causes for kidney failure. It can happen to anyone regardless or gender or age. But most kidney patients suffer from diabetes, hypertension, heart diseases as well as a range of kidney diseases before their kidneys fail.

How can kidney failure be treated?

If the damage is severe, it may be controlled with the right medication and a strict diet for your high blood pressure.

There is no recovery for end-stage renal failure. To survive, the patient has to undergo regular dialysis treatment for life or receive a new kidney through transplantation.