The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs located under the rib cage on either side of the spine in the lower back. Each kidney is about the size of an adult fist and weighs about a half pound.
Each kidney has approximately one million nephrons that perform the work of the kidney. When you have kidney disease, nephrons become damaged and cannot work properly. In the beginning stages of kidney disease, the healthy nephrons can do the extra work of the damaged nephrons.
As kidney disease continues, more nephrons become damaged and eventually the nephrons that are left cannot function well enough to keep you healthy. Waste products will then build up in the body and you start to feel sick.
Although it may appear that kidney disease occurs suddenly, most of the time it has been happening slowly, often for many years.
Functions Of The Kidney
Your kidneys perform many very important functions. The most well known functions of the kidney are to filter impurities and waste products out of the blood and to remove extra fluid from the body by making urine.
Other important functions of the kidney include:
– Assist in producing red blood cells
– Help to keep your bones healthy
– Help control blood pressure and regulate important substance in your blood
Causes Of Kidney Disease:
The two leading cause of Chronic Kidney Disease are diabetes and high blood pressure.
Other causes include:
- Inflammation and infection of the kidneys, such as pyelonephritis
- Genetic disorders such as polycystic kidney disease and Alport’s syndrome
- Diseases that affect the immune system such as Lupus;
- Urinary tract infections
- Obstructions of the kidneys such as kidney stones, or below the kidney such as enlarged prostate gland,
- long term use of medicines that may damage the kidneys such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (For example Ibuprofen and Celecoxi)
Diagnosis of Kidney Disease
Your kidney doctor (nephrologist) will determine how well your kidneys are working by testing your blood and urine. Creatinine is an important indicator in your blood and urine to find out your glomerular filtration rate (GFR). The GFR helps determine your kidney function.
ESRD (End Stage Renal Disease)
End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) is that stage of kidney disease when the kidneys are no longer able to function adequately for the patient to maintain a state of health and well-being. Usually only 15% or less of kidney function remains. At that time a patient will need dialysis or a kidney transplant.
Causes of ESRD
The most common causes of ESRD are Diabetes and high blood pressure. CKD from other causes such as infection, heredity, obstruction and inflammation can slowly, over many years, progresses to ESRD .
Symptoms of ESRD
Patients with ESRD may have all or some of the following symptoms. The kidneys can no longer maintain a state of health and the patient feels sick.
- General feeling of illness and fatigue,
- swelling of hands or feet
- Generalized itching,
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting( especially in the morning)
- Headaches, decreased ability to concentrate, confusion
- Thirst and or urine odor on breath
- Muscle cramps or twitching
- Sleep disturbances
Treatment of ESRD
Dialysis or kidney transplant are the only treatments for ESRD.
Your physical condition and other factors will help you and your physician decide on the best treatment for you.
Dialysis is not a cure, but will help you feel better. You should begin to prepare for dialysis before you are in immediate need for it. In this way, you will have time to learn about the different types of dialysis and with the assistance of your doctor choose the therapy that is right for you and for you to have a dialysis access placed.
While on dialysis you probably will take medications to treat your anemia and bone disease.
You will be placed on a special diet that may limit protein, salt, phosphorus, potassium and fluid.
- Another option is kidney transplant; however, you may wait for a kidney that will be a good match for you.
- Dialysis and or transplant are necessary to sustain life. In the absence of treatment for ESRD, toxins and fluids would build up in the body and death would result.
- While treatment decisions can be difficult, we here at IHS Dialysis can assist you to make treatment decisions and choices that make it work for you.
- Patients can lead full, active lives while on dialysis and still enjoy many of the activities and work they
enjoyed prior to dialysis .Your doctor and dialysis team are here to assist you in any way possible.
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