What Causes Chronic Kidney Diseases?

 World Kidney Day 2023: 9 March 2023

The majority of people recognize that a prominent purpose of the kidneys is to eliminate waste products and surplus fluid from the body. These debris and excess fluids are discarded through the urine. The creation of urine involves highly detailed steps of re-absorption and excretion. This process is crucial to retain a stable equilibrium of body chemicals.

The significant regulation of the body's salt and acid content is accomplished by the kidneys. The kidneys also generate hormones that influence the functioning of other organs. For example, a hormone produced by the kidneys facilitates red blood cell generation.

The kidneys are vital chemical factories that conduct the following functions:

•             remove faeces products from the body

•             balance the body's juices

•             discharge hormones that supervise blood pressure

•             generate an active form of vitamin D that stimulates solid and healthy bones

•             regulate the production of RBCs

There are two kidneys found in the human body each one is bean-shaped and fist-sized, found on either side of the spine. Each kidney comprises up to a million operating units known as nephrons. A nephron contains a filtering unit of little blood vessels called a glomerulus connected to a tubule. When blood reaches the glomerulus, it is filtered and the persisting fluid then departs along the tubule. In the tubule, water and other chemicals are either amplified or eliminated from this refined fluid as per the body's needs, the ultimate product is the urine that we excrete.

Causes of Chronic Kidney Disease:

Chronic kidney disease is interpreted as carrying some kind of kidney abnormality, or "marker", like the presence of protein in the urine and having diminished kidney function for around three months or longer.

There are many reasons for a chronic kidney disorder. The kidneys may be impacted by disorders such as diabetes or high blood pressure. While some kidney ailments are congenital, that is, individuals may be born with an aberration that can adversely affect their kidneys.

The following are some of the most common causes of kidney damage as explained by Sujit Chatterjee, CEO of Hiranandani Hospital:

1.            Diabetes

Diabetes is a disorder in which your body does not generate enough insulin or is unable to use natural amounts of insulin appropriately. This results in an elevated blood sugar level, which can result in problems in various parts of your body. Diabetes is the dominating cause of kidney disease.

2.            High blood pressure

 High blood pressure which is also understood as hypertension is another popular cause of kidney disease and other difficulties such as strokes and heart attacks. High blood pressure arises when the force of blood rises against your artery walls. When high blood pressure is regulated, the danger of inconveniences such as chronic kidney disease is curtailed.

3.            Glomerulonephritis

Glomerulonephritis is a disorder that induces inflammation of the kidney's little filtering units called the glomeruli. Glomerulonephritis may transpire unexpectedly. However, the disorder may cultivate gradually over several years and it may induce progressive flunking of kidney function.

4.            Polycystic kidney disease

Polycystic kidney disease is the most widespread inherited kidney disease. It is distinguished by the building up of kidney cysts that amplify over time and may inflict severe kidney damage and even kidney failure.

5. Kidney stones

Kidney stones are extremely prevalent, and they may incite terrible pain in your side and back. There are various possible spurs of kidney stones, involving an inherited ailment that stimulates too much calcium to be consumed from foods and urinary tract illnesses or impediments. Sometimes, pills and diet can assist to stave off stone formation.

5.            Urinary tract infections

These infections arise when germs infiltrate the urinary tract and inflict symptoms such as pain or burning sensation during urination and the more steady urge to urinate. These infections most frequently impact the bladder, but sometimes disperse to the kidneys, and they may result in fever and pain in the back.

6.            Congenital diseases

These usually contain some problems in the urinary tract when a baby is evolving in its mother's womb. One of the largely widespread reasons is when a valve-like structure between the bladder and ureter (urine tube) ceases to function properly and lets urine reflux to the kidneys, resulting in infections and apparent kidney damage.

7.            Drugs and toxins

Using substantial quantities of over-the-counter pain relievers for an extended time may be dangerous to the kidneys. Certain other drugs, toxins, and "street" drugs like heroin and crack can furthermore inflict kidney damage.

Detection of Chronic Kidney Disease:

Doctors at Hiranandani Hospital Kidney Transplant infer that Early identification and treatment of persistent kidney disease are the tickets to keep kidney disruption from advancing to kidney failure. Some simple examinations can be performed to detect timely kidney disease. They are:

1.            Protein in Urine Test

Albumin to Creatinine Ratio (ACR), calculates the proportion of albumin in your urine. An excess quantity of protein in your urine may imply your kidney's filtering units have been decayed by disease. A positive result could be because of a fever or heavy workout, so your doctor will want to substantiate your test over some weeks.

2.            Blood Creatinine Test

Your doctor along with your results must also consider your age, gender and other relevant factors, to calculate the Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR). Your GFR tells the performance of the functioning of the kidneys.

Hiranandani Hospital Kidney Care acclaimed Doctors recommend timely tests, especially in the case of people who have a high risk for developing chronic kidney diseases such as people suffering from Hypertension or are obese.

Sujit Chatterjee says individuals may have a heightened risk for kidney disease if they:

•             are aged

•             are diagnosed with diabetes

•             have hypertension

•             have a family fellow who possesses chronic kidney disease

•             are an African American, Asian and Pacific Islander or Hispanic American or American Indian

If you lie in one of these communities or think you may have an enhanced risk for kidney disease, you may consider meeting an eminent kidney care professional at the Hiranandani Hospital Kidney Care

Many kidney disorders can be dealt with successfully. Comprehensive regulation of diseases like diabetes can assist prevention of kidney disease or resist it from getting worse. Kidney stones and urinary tract infections can usually be doctored fortuitously.

Sometimes, chronic kidney disease may unfold into kidney failure, compelling dialysis or kidney transplant. A ton of research is being carried out to find more constructive treatments for all disorders that can result in chronic kidney disease.

At Dr LH Hiranandani Hospital Kidney transplant, Powai, Mumbai, a team of highly proficient team of kidney care doctors is specially equipped that ensures obstinate and steadfast patient care.