DR. WALKER

Common Kidney Disorders That Can Go Undetected

What are kidney disorders?

Before we get on towards kidney disorders, we should first really understand what function our kidneys do in addition to producing urine. In our body, a pair of bean-shaped kidneys lie towards the middle of the back, just below the ribs. This organ performs various vital functions in our body such as regulating blood pressure by producing an important hormone called renin, regulating the balance of water and minerals in our body, converting vitamin D into a form that is readily taken up by the body cells, producing erythropoietin hormone that brings about the formation of red blood cells in the body, as well as kidneys interacting with adrenal gland’s corticosteroids through which body’s response towards inflammation is regulated,in addition to regulating the function of the kidneys.

A kidney disorder, therefore, is any condition that prevents the kidneys from performing any one or more than one function adequately.These disorders can be acquired ofon their own, as is the case inwith drug overdose, or they can be inherited from family history or can develop as a consequence of some other health concern, for instance having a heart attack or being infected with HIV. Aging can result in the loss of sufficient functioning of the kidneys as well sometimes.

According to the National Kidney Foundation, more than 37 million people residing in America have some kind of chronic kidney disorder, while another million is at risk of developing it, which is why disorders of the kidneys and bladder are a major reason behind a huge number of deaths and illnesses in the U.S(Overview of Kidney Disorders, n.d.).

What are some common kidney disorders?

Among the common kidney disorders that people can develop are kidney stones, hydronephrosis (which is swelling in both or one kidney due to urine not being drained properly), pyelonephritis, polycystic kidney disease (characterized by the presence of fluid-filled sacs in the kidney, it is a common genetic disorder that affects approximately 500,000 people in the U.S), lupus nephritis (an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system starts attacking its own cells and organs),.Chronic kidney diseases that can lead to the development of kidney cancer or advance into end-stage renal disease, andacute renal failure are included.

What are the complications of chronic kidney disorders?

Although chronic kidney disorders seldomly manifest themselves until the condition has advanced to a more severe stage, alsothe symptoms are more or less so common that they can be attributed to other diseases as well, which is why they get diagnosed when complications arise due to the severity of the condition.Complications that occur include,pulmonary edema, swelling in the lower extremities, rise in blood potassium level, anemia, heart disease, weak bones, damage to the central nervous system, decreased sex drive, pericarditis, reduced immune response,and complications in pregnancy (Staff, Chronic kidney disease, 2021).

Often the complications arise because of irreversible damage to the kidneys, as is the case with kidney failure and end-stage renal disease, because of which treatment options such as dialysis and kidney transplant have to be opted to improve quality of life.

What are the symptoms of kidney disorders?

Symptoms vary depending upon the condition

For instance, symptoms of kidney stone include (Staff, Kidney stones, 2020):

• Pain in the side that may shift in direction if the stone moves down the urinary tract from the kidney
• Nausea and vomiting
• Foul-smelling, cloudy urine
• Burning sensation during urination
• Pain that radiates to the groin area and lower abdominal region
• Pink, red, or brown-colored urine
• Persistent urge to urinate and urinating in small amounts
• Fever and chills if accompanied by an infection

The symptoms associated with chronic kidney disorder include (Staff, 2021):

• Itchy, dry skin
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue and weakness
• Persistent chest pain, because of the buildup of fluid around the heart lining
• Swollen ankles and feet
• Decreased mental clarity and sharpness
• Shortness of breath, because of the buildup of fluid in the lungs
• Frequent or infrequent urination
• Sleep issues
• Muscle cramps
• High blood pressure that is difficult to control

Symptoms of hydronephrosis include:

• Pain in the side and/or back that radiates till the groin region and the lower abdomen
• Urinary problems such as a persistent urge to urinate and pain in urination
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fever
• Not being able to thrive in the case of infants

Symptoms of pyelonephritis include:

• Pus or blood in urine, also known as hematuria
• Fever
• Chills
• Pain in the back, side, abdomen, and groin
• Persistent urge to urinate frequently
• Burning sensation and pain during urination
• Foul-smelling, cloudy urine

Symptoms of polycystic kidney disease include (What Is Polycystic Kidney Disease?, 2017):

• Pain
• High blood pressure
• Kidney failure

Symptoms of lupus nephritis include:

• Foamy urine
• Edema in the lower extremities
• Muscular pain
• Joint pain and swelling
• Fever with unknown cause
• Butterfly shaped rash across the face on the nose and cheeks

Symptoms of kidney failure include:

• Headache
• Swelling in lower extremities
• Itchiness
• Trouble sleeping
• Muscle fatigue along with cramping and numbness
• Loss of appetite, loss of the sense of taste and smell
• Losing weight
• Producing little to no urine
• Joint stiffness and joint pain along with an accumulation of fluid in them
• Memory problems and trouble focusing

What are the risk factors for kidney disorder?

Risk factors include(Staff, Chronic kidney disease, 2021):

• Old age
• Inadequate fluid intake and severe dehydration
• Diabetes
• Cardiovascular disease
• Family history of kidney disorder
• Congenital abnormality in the structure of the kidney
• Frequent intake of medications that harm the kidneys, for instance, Ibuprofen, Aspirin, Sodium Naproxen, etc.
• Smoking
• Some cancers and cancer treatments (cause acute renal failure)
• Liver diseases can cause acute renal failure as well
• Being a Native American, Asian American, or being black
• Obesity
• Hypertension

How do I decrease my risk for kidney disorders?

• By being mindful of Over-the-counter drug use, that includes Ibuprofen and Aspirin.
• Opt for a healthy lifestyle by being active, eating healthy, and cutting down your alcohol intake
• Coordinate with your doctor to manage kidney disorder or any other health issues, follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations in managing your condition, and ask them to provide you with a treatment regimen.

Why is early detection of kidney disorders necessary?

Early detection of kidney disorder is very important to prevent irreversible damage to the kidneys that will ultimately compromise their function.

Who should get a kidney ultrasound?

People having a cardiovascular disorder, family history of kidney disease, hypertension, and who have a high risk developing kidney disorders should get their kidneys checked regularly by ultrasound screening, which is a completely non-invasive and pain-free method of screening the kidneys for any possible complications. Getting this screening done annually will keep you updated any changes that may need medical intervention thereby preventing you from developing complications.