Kidney disease is a condition in which one or both of the kidneys lose their ability to filter blood correctly. In healthy kidneys, tiny blood vessels called nephrons filter waste products and extra fluid from the blood, which are then excreted in the form of urine. If kidney illness progresses, nephrons become damaged and unable to filter blood correctly. As a result, waste products and fluids remain in the blood, leading to serious complications in the rest of the body.
If you’ve been diagnosed with chronic kidney illness, you’re probably experiencing one or more signs or symptoms of the disease. When you have chronic kidney illness, your kidneys are working at less than full capacity. As a result, you may have some symptoms, such as feeling tired, urinating often, and swelling in your lower legs and ankles. Chronic kidney illness may also cause anemia, which is a condition that occurs when your red blood cells are below normal levels. If your kidney illness is advanced, you may experience other symptoms that signal a serious condition, including feeling weak, having high blood pressure, experiencing swelling in the abdomen, and having difficulty controlling your blood sugar levels.
Individuals with diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney stones, and autoimmune disorders are at high risk for kidney illness. Fortunately, many of these diseases are preventable, so if you’ve been diagnosed with one of these conditions, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing kidney illness. To prevent kidney illness, you should avoid certain activities that can put your kidneys at risk, including consuming a lot of sugary and caffeinated drinks, taking certain medications, and avoiding exercise. Additionally, you should visit your doctor regularly to get blood tests that can detect early signs of kidney illness.
The treatment for kidney illness depends on the severity of the condition. If you have been diagnosed with chronic kidney illness, you will likely be prescribed medications to control your blood pressure and reduce the amount of protein in your urine. If you are diagnosed with end-stage kidney illness, you may need to undergo a kidney transplant or receive dialysis to remove excess fluids from your blood.
Kidney illness is serious, so it is important to catch it early and take steps to prevent it. If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney stones, or an autoimmune disorder, you should take extra care to protect your kidneys. While there is no cure for kidney illness, you can manage the symptoms with treatment, healthy lifestyle choices, and support from loved ones.