Chronic Kidney Disease: Causes, Symptoms, And Treatment

Chronic kidney disease is a progressive and serious condition where the kidneys lose their function over time. The kidneys are responsible for filtering out waste and excess fluid from the blood, which is then removed through the urine.

Advanced stages of chronic kidney disease lead to an excessive buildup of toxins and fluids in the bloodstream, eventually leading to various severe complications.

Unfortunately, patients do not experience any signs in the initial days of the disease until the disease progresses to the advanced stage.

When To See A Kidney Specialist?

Chronic kidney disease is often labelled as “the silent killer”, as it is present with such troublesome or noticeable symptoms. Even with the signs, they are either overlooked or attributed to some other conditions.
As soon as the disease starts to deteriorate, symptoms become more evident.

• Extreme weakness and fatigue
• Swelling in the feet and ankles
• A frequent urge to urinate
• Foamy urine
• Changes in the urine colour
• Hypertension that is difficult to control
• Severe back pain
• Muscle cramps
• Nausea and vomiting
• Loss of appetite

If you are experiencing these symptoms, don’t delay in seeking treatment from a kidney specialist in Kolkata, as they can indicate chronic kidney disease. If left untreated, it can lead to kidney failure requiring dialysis or transplant.

Also, remember that these symptoms are non-specific, meaning that they can be related to other illnesses as well. Hence, consult a specialist for early diagnosis and treatment.

What Causes Chronic Kidney Disease?

Anyone can develop chronic kidney disease at any age. The condition can result from various causes.

• Diabetes (Type 1 and 2): Over time, diabetes, if not controlled, damages the tiny blood vessels in the kidneys, thereby impairing their ability to filter waste.
• High blood pressure (Hypertension): Constantly high blood pressure narrows the blood vessels in the kidney and even leads to scarring of its tissues.
• Genetics: Some individuals are born with a genetic predisposition, meaning that if anyone in the family has had kidney disorders, there is a high chance of inheriting them.
• Blockage in the urinary tract: Defects present at birth or certain health issues, like kidney stones, block the flow of urine and damage the kidneys.
• Repeated kidney infections: Prolonged inflammation and infection scar the kidney and damage its tissues, leading to permanent damage.

If you or your loved one falls under these risk categories, consulting with a kidney specialist in Kolkata is the first step in effective treatment and management of the condition.

Treatment Options

There is no permanent cure for chronic kidney disease. Treatment involves giving relief from the symptoms and preserving its function as long as possible.

Some common modalities include the following:

• Medicines: Depending on the cause of the disease, patients are prescribed medications such as ACE inhibitors or ARBs, diuretics and phosphate binders.
• Kidney dialysis: In the advanced cases, patients are recommended to undergo dialysis. It is a procedure that uses machines to remove waste from the body when the kidneys are no longer functioning.
• Kidney Transplant: It involves replacing the unhealthy kidneys with healthy ones. Kidneys for transplantation come from two sources: living donors, like family members, partners or friends. Deceased donors are the ones who have donated their organs.

Conclusion

Kidney diseases are manageable when detected early and treated properly. So, don’t wait for the symptoms to worsen. Consult a kidney specialist in Kolkata and lead a healthy life.