Chronic Kidney Disease
Chronic kidney disease is a term used to describe kidney conditions that cause gradual kidney failure. Because the kidneys are responsible for removing excess waste from the body, when they fail, dangerous levels of waste can build-up. Chronic kidney disease can progress to end-stage kidney failure which is life-threatening and requires permanent dialysis or even a kidney transplant to treat.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of chronic kidney disease may show slowly and progress over a period of time, these may include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue and weakness
- Difficulty sleeping
- Changes in urination
- Mental fogginess
- Muscle twitches and cramps
- Swelling of feet and ankles due to fluid retention
- Persistent itching
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
Most people do not realise these symptoms are related to their kidneys until irreversible damage has been done. It is therefore essential that you see a specialist nephrologist if you have any of the above symptoms so that kidney functioning can be maintained and kidney disease treated before the condition worsens.
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What are the causes of chronic kidney disease?
Dr Machailo specialized in diagnosis and treatment of kidney related conditions from young adults to the elderly in conjunction with other specialists. The following conditions may lead to chronic kidney disease and may increase your risk of kidney failure:
- Diabetes (type one or two)
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Glomerulonephritis caused by Lupus
- Interstitial nephritis
- Recurrent kidney infection
- Polycystic kidney disease
- Vesicoureteral
- Prolonged obstruction of the urinary tract such as kidney stones or tumours
- Blockages in the blood flow to the kidneys due to blood clots or cholesterol
- Excessive ingestion of toxins, such as alcohol, heavy metals, cocaine or certain types of medications
- Early and late pregnancy as well as post-partum kidney injury and renal diseases
- Pregnancy related kidney diseases that cause kidney damage
Because the kidneys are responsible for essential for waste removal in the body, treating these conditions is vital to preserving kidney functioning and preventing kidney failure.
Treatment options
If diagnosed in the early stages of kidney disease, failure can be prevented and treatment of the kidneys may be restored to their optimum health. Your nephrologist will be able to accurately diagnose the cause of chronic kidney disease, and find the most suitable treatment and management of your condition. Depending on the cause, treatment may include:
- Diet changes to lower the amount of toxins the body is producing
- Medications to lower high blood pressure (hypertension)
- Medications to lower cholesterol levels
- Erythropoietin supplements may help relieve anemia and fatigue
- Diuretics may relieve fluid retention symptoms
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