Definition of Kidney Diseases
Kidney diseases are disorders that affect the kidneys; the two organs that remove waste products, produce certain hormones, and regulate the level of chemicals in blood.
Description of Kidney Diseases
Kidney Function
A major function of the kidneys is to remove waste products and excess fluid from the body. These waste products and excess fluid are removed through urine.
The production of urine involves highly complex steps of excretion and reabsorption. This process is necessary to maintain a stable balance of body chemicals.
The critical regulation of the
body's salt, potassium, and acid content is performed by the kidneys.
The kidneys also produce hormones and vitamins that affect the function
of other organs. For example, a hormone produced by the kidneys
stimulates red blood cell production. In addition, other hormones
produced by the kidneys help regulate blood pressure and others help
control calcium metabolism.
There are two kidneys, each about the size
of a fist, located on either side of the spine at the lowest level of
the rib cage. Each kidney contains about one million functioning units,
called nephrons.
A nephron consists of a filtering unit of tiny blood vessels,
called a glomerulus, attached to a tubule. When blood enters the
glomerulus, it is filtered and the remaining fluid passes along the
tubule. In the tubule, chemicals and water are either added to or
removed from this filtered fluid, according to the body's needs, with
the final product being the urine we excrete.
Types Of Kidney Disease
Kidney disease usually affects both
kidneys. If the kidneys' ability to remove and regulate water and
chemicals is seriously damaged by disease, waste products and excess
fluid build up occur, causing severe swelling and symptoms of uremia
(kidney failure).
There are many different types and causes of kidney disease.
These can be characterized as hereditary, congenital or acquired.
Hereditary Disorders
These can be transmitted to both males and
females, and generally produce clinical symptoms from teenage years to
adulthood. The most prevalent hereditary kidney condition is polycystic kidney disease. Other hereditary
conditions include Alport's syndrome, hereditary nephritis, primary
hyperoxaluria and cystinuria.
Congenital Disease
This usually involves some malformation
of the genitourinary tract, usually leading to some type of obstruction
which subsequently produces infection and/or destruction of kidney
tissue. The destruction can eventually progress to chronic kidney
failure.
Acquired Kidney Disease
These diseases are numerous, the general
term being nephritis (meaning inflammation of the kidney). The most
common type of nephritis is glomerulonephritis, and again, this has many
causes.
Kidney Stones
These are very common, and when they pass,
the pain can be extremely severe in the side and back. Stone formation
can be an inherited disorder, secondary to a malformation and/or
infection in the kidney, or can occur without any prior problem. The
pain can appear suddenly and in waves, and then disappear rapidly when
the stone is passed.
Nephrotic Syndrome
This refers to a large protein loss in
the urine [frequently in association with low blood protein (albumin)
levels, an elevated blood cholesterol and severe retention of body fluid,
causing swelling (edema)]. This disease can be a primary disorder of the
kidney or secondary to an illness, affecting many parts of the body
(for example diabetes mellitus).
Long-standing High Blood Pressure (hypertension)
This can cause kidney disease itself or
can be a result of a kidney disorder. Uncontrolled high blood pressure
can accelerate the natural course of any underlying kidney disease.
Diabetes
Long standing diabetes can lead to kidney failure. However,
tight control of blood glucose levels over the years may reduce those
complications.
Drugs
and Toxins
Certain
medications, toxins, pesticides and "street" drugs (i.e., heroin) can
also produce kidney damage.
Unfortunately, the cause of many kidney diseases is still unknown, but
controlling high blood pressure and diabetes can reduce the risk of many kidney
diseases.
Symptoms of Kidney Diseases
Although many forms of kidney disease do
not produce symptoms until late in the course of the disease, there are
at least six warning signs that may indicate kidney disease: 1. Burning or difficulty during urination
2. An increase in the
frequency of urination
3. Passage of blood in the urine
4. Puffiness around the eyes, swelling of
the hands and feet
5.
Pain in the small of the back just below the ribs
6. High blood pressure
Diagnosis of Kidney Diseases
Your doctor will obtain a complete
medical history and perform a physical exam. He or she may recommend
blood tests and certain urine tests, which can provide much information
about your kidney function.
Treatment of Kidney Diseases
Some kidney diseases can be successfully treated and
others progress to advanced kidney failure, requiring dialysis and/or
transplantation. For
example, kidney infections and kidney stones can often be successfully treated.
Chronic inflammation of the glomerulus (glomerulonephritis) is the most
common kidney disease, which slowly progresses to kidney failure.
Your doctor may recommend certain
medications or suggest a specific diet for you.
K-LINK PRODUCT
K-link product
that is used for Kidney are: 1. K-Kino Takara
2. Ayurin, 3 x 2 kapsul per day,
3. K-Liquid Chlorofil, 3 x 1 sloki per day
4. Gamat emultion, 3 x 1 sloki per day, drunk after meals
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