The kidneys sieve wastes and surplus fluids from the blood, which are then eliminated in the urine. When the kidney function diminishes, unsafe levels of fluid, electrolytes and wastes get built up in the body. In the early phase of a kidney disorder, there will be only a few signs and symptoms.
Treatment focuses on slowing down the progression of the kidney damage, generally by managing the underlying cause. Chronic kidney disease can aggravate and turn fatal without dialysis or a kidney transplant; timely intervention is vital.
Causes Of Decreased Kidney Function
Diseases and conditions which reduce kidney functioning are:
- Hypertension
- Polycystic kidney disease
- Pyelonephritis
- Glomerulonephritis – inflammation of the glomeruli.
- Interstitial nephritis – inflammation of the kidney’s tubules.
- Obstruction of the urinary tract for a protracted period of time, from conditions such as BEP, kidney stones and tumors.
- Vesicoureteral reflux – urine refluxes back up into the kidneys.
- Type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus.
- Smoking is another significant triggering factor.
- Family history of a renal disease.
- Abnormal renal structure.
Signs And Symptoms Of Decreased Kidney Function
Signs and symptoms of kidney disease may include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Exhaustion
- Loss of appetite
- Sleep trouble
- Persistent itching
- Breathlessness
- Hypertension
- Changes in how much you urinate.
- Muscle twitches and cramps.
- Swelling of feet and ankles.
Treatment Options For Decreased Kidney Function
Treatment comprises of ways to control signs and symptoms, lessen complications, and decelerate progression of the disease. However, kidney damage can continue to worsen even when the underlying condition has been controlled.
- High blood pressure drugs are essential to maintain normal B.P. Your health care provider will recommend medications to lower your B.P. – angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors to conserve renal function. You will also be given a diuretic and a low sodium diet.
- Drugs to bring down cholesterol levels to normal. Those having chronic kidney diseases have high levels of LDL cholesterol, which raises your risk of heart disease significantly.
- Drugs to deal with swelling. When one has a chronic kidney condition, he retains fluids. This causes swelling in the legs, along with hypertension. Diuretics sustain a balance of fluids.
- You need to confer with a nutritionist to make sure you consume a low protein diet to reduce waste products in your blood and consequently the load on the kidneys. To decrease the amount of work the kidneys must do, your health care provider will advise eating less protein. You need to lower your protein intake whilst still consuming a healthy diet.
- If the kidneys cannot keep up with waste and fluid clearance on their own, you most definitely will require dialysis or a kidney transplant.
- Dialysis gets rid of the waste products and surplus fluids from the bloodstream when the kidneys can no longer do it. You may need hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis.
- Kidney transplant comprises of introducing a healthy kidney from a donor in to your body. The kidney may be obtained from a deceased or living donor. What’s more, you will have to take medicines for the rest of your life to ensure that your body does not reject the new kidney.