Kidney diseases refers to damage of nephrons (responsible for removal of waste products by filtering), which impairs the functioning of kidneys. Several diseases like uncontrolled diabetes, hypertension and many other medical conditions can lead to kidney damage and deteriorate the functioning of kidney.

Symptoms of kidney diseases

• Cloudy or discoloured urine
• Difficulty urinating
• Frequent urination
• Urgent urination
• Difficulty urinating
• Foul smell in urine
• Muscle cramps
• Dysuria (painful urination)
• Swollen feet or ankles

Some vague symptoms are also developed such as fatigue, decreased appetite, difficulty sleeping and sickness.

Life-threatening symptoms warning for immediate medical treatment -

• Blood in stools
• Blood clots in urine or blood in urine (hematuria)
• Confusion and unconsciousness
• Decrease in urination
• High fever
• Flank pain that travel to groin, lower abdomen, testicles or labia
• Sever shortness of breath

Causes of kidney diseases

Several underlying disorders, diseases or medical conditions lead to kidney damage -

• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Intravenous drug abuse
• Overdose of certain drugs
• Trauma or injury to the kidney or arteries that supply blood to the kidneys
• Kidney stone, tumour, enlarged prostate gland or congenital deformity causing urinary tract obstruction
• Insufficient blood flow to kidneys due to renal artery stenosis
• Systemic lupus erythematosus (disorder in which body attacks its own healthy cells)
• Polycystic kidney disease (an inherited disease that leads to formation of large cysts)
• Infections, such as repeated bladder infections, septicaemia (blood infection) or pyelonephritis (kidney infection)
• Diseases such as nephritis and glomerulonephritis can cause inflammation and damage to the kidney

Treatments for kidney diseases

Treatment of kidney disease involves curing underlying medical condition or disease, slow the progression of damage to the kidneys and prevent excessive fluid and waste accumulation in body. Medications are prescribed to treat the disease, but if the kidney fails completely, dialysis or kidney transplant is suggested by the nephrologists.