Chronic Kidney Diseases - What They Are and How To Treat Them

Chronic kidney diseases, also known as chronic kidney failure (CRF), are kidney damage that cause progressive loss of kidney functions. It consists of decreased kidney function for more than three months and structural changes that can compromise the kidneys. These organs are responsible for maintaining the balance of the internal environment of our body, conserving substances that need to be preserved, eliminating unwanted substances and controlling excess or lack of water. If they are not treated, they can permanently compromise the functioning of the organ, leading to the paralysis of the kidneys, which are responsible for filtering the blood, eliminating harmful substances and nutrients in the body.

Causes and Risk Factors

When a disease or health condition is harmful to kidney function and causes organ damage, it can be the start of chronic kidney disease.

The diabetes, the hypertension and obesity constitute the main risk factors for the development of chronic kidney disease. According to Dr. Vinant Bhargava, nephrologist in Delhi, “kidney diseases can progress to CRF if left unattended, mainly associated with other metabolic problems”.

Smoking, being over 65, having heart disease and a history of kidney problems in the family also increase the risk of developing the problem. That’s why it’s so important to keep your appointments with kidney specialist in Delhi up to date.

Symptoms

According with the Dr. Bhargava, nephrologist in Gurgaon, in the early stages, CKD is usually asymptomatic. Loss of kidney function usually takes months to years to occur, and can be so slow that symptoms do not appear until the kidneys are very weak. The first signs of CKD include malaise, fatigue, shortness of breath, tiredness, headache, loss of weight and appetite, nausea, vomiting and itching. The main diseases that cause CKD are diabetes mellitus and high blood pressure. Other symptoms that may appear are impotence, decreased sexual interest and interruption of the menstrual cycle.

Diagnosis and Exams

An early diagnosis contributes to a more effective treatment. The disease can be detected through two tests: analysis of urine and blood, which identify the levels of albumin and creatinine respectively, proteins that can be affected by kidney dysfunction and be imbalanced in our body.

Prevention and Treatments

It is estimated that 10% of the world population has some degree of CKD. When the disease is already at an advanced stage, the kidneys enter a process of functional failure. Thus, treatment is carried out with medication and changes in eating habits. More severe cases in which the disease is at a more advanced stage, treatment involves replacing kidney function through three modalities: hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis and kidney transplant in Delhi.

Ideally, the patient should receive prior follow-up with the best nephrologist in Delhi, be informed about these modalities and decide, together with his doctor, which is the most appropriate for his case. If he has a compatible living donor, he can be prepared soon for kidney transplantation, considered the best form of therapy, without the need to undergo dialysis. If he has no living donor, he can choose between hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. In the first, the blood passes through a dialyzer, which will make the necessary changes to ensure its survival with quality. In the other, a catheter is implanted between the intestinal loops. The “dialyzer”, then, will be the tissue that lines the intestinal loops and the belly internally, called the peritoneum.

The good news is that to prevent or control kidney problems, regular water intake, healthy eating, low in salt and rich in vegetables, fruits and vegetables, not taking medication without medical advice and having a periodic check-up can help you save from that problem.

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