Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease is defined as a gradual decline of kidney function over time. Excess fluids along with wastes are filtered out of the blood by the kidneys and removed in the urine. Chronic renal disease can result in extremely high levels of fluid, electrolytes, and wastes. End-Stage Renal Disease occurs when the kidneys stop working.

Chronic kidney disease is defined as a gradual decline of kidney function over time. Excess fluids along with wastes are filtered out of the blood by the kidneys and removed in the urine. Chronic renal disease can result in extremely high levels of fluid, electrolytes, and wastes. End-Stage Renal Disease occurs when the kidneys stop working.

1. Kidney failure can result in the following symptoms, depending on the severity:
2. Skin irritation 
3. Muscle spasms 
4. Tiredness 
5. Nausea and Vomiting 
6. Loss of Appetite 
7. Inflammation in legs, ankles, and feet.
8. Decreased or Increased urine outcome.
9. If fluid starts building up around the heart's lining, it results in Chest Pain.
10. Urine that is foamy, frothy, or bubbly in appearance indicates that there is a protein in your urine. 
11. Difficulty in sleep 
12. If fluid starts building up in the lungs, it results in Shortness of Breath.
13. Low Calcium and High Potassium Levels in Blood.
14. High Blood Pressure 
15. Anaemia
16. High levels of Phosphorus in Blood.

Chronic Kidney Disease is caused by conditions like:

1. Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes.
2. Glomerulonephritis: It is a swelling of the filtering units of the kidney.
3. Interstitial Nephritis: It is the swelling of the kidney tubules and adjacent tissues.
4. Polycystic Kidney Disease 
5. High Blood Pressure 
6. Prolonged occlusion of the urinary tract caused by disorders such as Enlarged Prostate, Malignancies and Kidney Stones.
7. Vesicoureteral Reflux: Urine flows back into the kidneys.
8. Pyelonephritis is a type of reappearing kidney infection.
9. Prenatal Kidney and Urinary Tract Malformations: It occurs while a baby is developing in its mother's womb.

1. Age
2. High Blood Sugar
3. Cardiovascular Disease
4. Obesity and Smoking
5. Family History 
6. Use of medications that can harm the kidneys.

The following tests can be performed to diagnose Chronic Kidney Disease:

1. Blood Tests: Levels of Creatinine and Urea are analysed.
2. Imaging Tests: To find Kidney structure and size ultrasound is performed.
3. Urine Tests: These tests help to detect the abnormalities resulting in Chronic Kidney Disease.
4. Kidney Biopsy: A small amount of Kidney tissue is removed and analysed.

1. Treatment for High Blood Pressure:  To lower blood pressure and preserve renal function, Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers are commonly utilised.
2. Treatment to Decrease Swelling: Frequent fluid retention is common. It results in Edema of the Legs and High Blood Pressure are possible effects. Diuretics are drugs that aid in the maintenance of your body's fluid balance.
3. Treatment for Anaemia: Erythropoietin supplements, which are commonly combined with iron, help the body produce red blood cells. This also helps with fatigue and weakness caused by Anaemia.
4. Treatment for Low Cholesterol Levels: Statins are used to decrease cholesterol levels.
5. Treatment to protect bones: To strengthen bones Calcium and Vitamin D supplements.
6. Treatment for End-Stage Renal Disease
   1. Dialysis: Dialysis is used to eliminate waste materials and excess fluid from the blood. There are two types of it
   2. Hemodialysis: During this process, a machine extracts waste and extra fluids from your blood.
   3. Peritoneal Dialysis: A dialysis solution is injected into your abdominal cavity through a tiny tube, which collects waste and excess.
   4. Kidney Transplant: A kidney transplant involves the implantation of a healthy kidney from a donor into a renal failure patient.

1. Pulmonary Edema: Fluid retention causes inflammation in the arms and legs, elevated blood pressure, and fluid in the lungs.
2. Hyperkalemia: Increase in levels of Potassium in Blood.
3. Fragility of the bones and an increased chance of fracture.
4. The Central Nervous System is damaged which leads to a change in personality.
5. Anaemia
6. Low Immune response leads to more infection.
7. Pericarditis, swelling of the sac-like membrane that surrounds your heart.
8. Complications in pregnancy are a risk to both the mother and the foetus.