Kidney Disease

The Kidneys are two bean shaped organs found in the abdomen. The kidneys are closer to the back of the abdomen than the front. The kidneys are very important and hence the need to identify it’s malfunction early enough to get treatment. Unattended to kidney disease progressively gets worse and could cause irreversible damage.

Kidney disease could be acute or chronic. For the purposes of this write up, we will do chronic kidney disease.

Functions of the kidneys

• Gets rid of the body’s toxic waste

• Produces hormones that help with red blood cell production

• Helps regulate blood pressure

• Helps to regulate acids in the body

• Gets rid of broken-down medications from the body

• Regulates fluid balance in the body

Causes of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD):

• Uncontrolled Hypertension/High blood pressure

• Diabetes

• Inherited or genetic predisposition to kidney disease

• Anti-inflammatory Medications such as Ibuprofen, Naproxen

• Infections like viral hepatitis

• Recurrent bacterial infections of the kidneys

• Chronic urine obstruction from prostate enlargement

• Diseases as lupus, which directly affects the kidneys

Symptoms of Kidney disease:

• No symptoms at all initially

• Elevations in blood pressure

• Lower extremity swelling

• Shortness of breath as fluid builds up in the lungs

• Nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite

• Changes in urine volume mostly decreased urine 

• Frothy or foaming urine

Predisposing conditions:

• Advancing Age

• Obesity

• Tobacco use

• Family history of kidney disease

• Blacks/people of African descent 

Diagnosis of Kidney disease:

• Physical examination

• Analysis of your urine to check for blood, protein etc. 

• Blood work

• Imaging studies like ultrasounds

• Kidney biopsies if needed

Prevention of kidney disease:

• At least annual checkups for blood and urine tests. May be more frequent if you have medical conditions such as diabetes and hypertension

• Avoid overuse of anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen, naproxen and aspirins

• Avoid herbal concoctions when not sure of the side effect profile

• Control diabetes and hypertension

• Avoid tobacco products

• Maintain healthy weight

Complications of kidney disease:

• Fatigue from anemia

• Fluid buildup or retention leading to lungs filling with fluids

• Heart weakens because of fluid build up

• Electrolytes like potassium could rise and become life-threatening

• Complete kidney destruction leading to dialysis or transplant

• Erectile dysfunction,

• Decreased immunity

Treatment of kidney disease:

• Based on cause

• Dialysis and transplant if needed

Francis Obeng MD

Alfa Medical Clinic