Chronic Kidney Disease (3)
When the kidneys stop working they can no longer keep the body healthy. This means they can’t remove the wastes or extra fluid from your body. Because the wastes and extra fluid have nowhere to go, they build up and can cause you to feel sick. When the kidneys stop working, this is called kidney failure.
There are two kinds of kidney failure:
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Acute Renal Failure usually happens quickly and can be temporary. The kidneys can stop working due to such things as the loss of blood, a severe burn, infections, medications or certain types of poisoning. Dialysis may be needed for a short time while the kidneys heal. With acute renal failure, normal kidney function can return after the kidneys heal from the injury.•
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) can happen slowly and is usually caused by damage to your kidneys in the form of a disease. End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) occurs when the kidneys no longer work. In ESRD, normal kidney function doesn’t return. Therefore, you will need dialysis or a kidney transplant in order to stay alive.There are many reasons why kidneys fail. Different diseases can cause ESRD. Some kidney diseases are inherited, while others are caused by pre-existing health conditions. Some causes of kidney disease include:
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Diabetes is a disease of high blood glucose (sugar) levels. It can cause changes in the structure and function of blood vessels and abnormal metabolism of carbohydrates, fat and protein. Over time, the small vessels of the kidney are affected, causing destruction of the nephrons (the filters of the kidneys).•
Hypertension or High Blood Pressure damages the blood vessels in the kidneys and reduces the blood supply to the kidneys. If you control it, you may be able to slow down the kidney damage.•
Glomerulonephritis is a swelling of the filters of both kidneys. This is sometimes due to infection. It involves slow, progressive damage. Early diagnosis is difficult because there are no symptoms in the early stages of this disease.•
Nephrotic Syndrome is a non-inflammatory disease. It causes amounts of protein to pass from the blood into the urine. As a result of the loss of protein, large amounts of water stay in your body. This results in overall swelling in your body, called edema.Polycystic Kidney Disease
is an inherited disease. With this disease, abnormal sacs, called cysts, develop in the kidneys. These cysts may contain fluid, gas or tissue. As these cysts grow, they block normal kidney function. Cysts may be painful because of the blockages. If you have polycystic kidney disease you still urinate in normal amounts, but the harmful waste products aren’t removed from the body.•
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus causes swelling in all organs in the body, including the kidneys.•
Chronic Pyleonephritis or Kidney Infection is an inflammation of the tissues of the kidneys, surrounding the filters. Infection and other forms of inflammation can cause kidney failure, if left untreated.•
Kidney Stones can form anywhere in the urinary tract. The stones may cause painful or pain-free blockages in the drainage system of the kidney. When this happens, the kidneys can be damaged due to the pressure of urine backup or infections.What Is The Difference Between Pre-ESRD And ESRD?
Pre-ESRD, or chronic kidney disease (CKD), is the time between the diagnosis of a kidney disease until the time you begin treatment with either dialysis or a transplant. It may be a brief period lasting only a few weeks, or it may be months or even years. During this stage you might visit a kidney doctor (nephrologist). Your nephrologist will monitor your condition. His goal is to treat you in order to help your kidneys work as long as possible. Your nephrologist can give you the best information on how long it may be before you need dialysis or a transplant. Once you begin dialysis, you should see your nephrologist on a monthly basis.
Your doctor may prescribe certain things to help your body adjust to the slowing down of your kidney function.
A Friendly Note: Remember, the pre-ESRD phase is when your kidneys are beginning to shut down. This means certain waste products and fluids may build up in your body. Don’t worry; your doctor will prescribe medicines, dietary changes and certain blood and urine tests to check your kidneys.
Protein in the urine is called proteinuria. It is often the first sign of kidney disease. Very small amounts of protein in the urine are referred to as microalbumin. If you are a person with diabetes, one of the first signals that you may be experiencing diabetic nephropathy (decreased kidney function) is microalbumin. Consequently, testing urine for the presence of protein should always be a part of a routine medical exam.
A dipstick test (a special strip of paper that’s quickly dipped into a sample of urine to test its chemical makeup) may be done. The dipstick test only becomes positive when the amount of proteins, mainly albumin, reaches two to four times the levels normally found in urine. In people with diabetes, the first sign of kidney problems is an even lower level of proteinuria, called microalbuminuria, that is too low to be detected by a dipstick test. There are also new sensitive dipsticks that detect microalbumin.
In diseases affecting the kidneys’ filters, proteinuria is a sign of some sort of kidney disease. This may be related to the presence of heart disease. If the leakage is heavy, protein lost may be enough to cause a fall in the level of albumin in the blood. This can cause swelling of the ankles or face and an increase in blood cholesterol levels. This condition is called the nephrotic syndrome.
You can do things to slow the progression of CKD. The sooner you change your habits, the better!
Control high blood pressure (hypertension). Even if your doctor has prescribed medication for you, there’s still a lot you can do to lower your blood pressure. Changes in your lifestyle and reducing salt in your diet, along with diet and/or behavior changes can help control high blood pressure. A blood pressure reading of 120/70 is considered normal for an adult.Keep your blood sugar level in a safe range,
especially if you have diabetes. An A1C blood test can tell you and your doctor if your blood sugars have been within a normal range for the past two to three months. A normal range is between 4.5 percent and 6 percent. If your blood sugar is not within this range, talk to your doctor or diabetes educator and find out what you need to do to maintain your blood sugar level. The optimal goal for A1C is less than six, but less than 7.0 is acceptable in advanced CKD to minimize the risk of hypoglycemia while maximizing slowing progression. Reduce the amount of protein you eat. Your doctor may recommend you meet with a dietitian to restrict the amount of protein in your diet.Maintain healthy levels of fats
(known as lipids), such as cholesterol and triglycerides, in your blood.Quit smoking. If you do not smoke, do not start. If you smoke, discuss cessation efforts/techniques with your doctor.
Exercise. Consistent physical activity and/or exercise will have a profound affect on your blood pressure and sugar levels. A few proven benefits include: increased energy, strengthening heart and other muscles, weight control and self esteem. Talk to your doctor before beginning a new exercise routine. Medications. Take all of your medications as prescribed. Do not skip or leave out doses.