Chronic kidney disease, or chronic kidney failure is a term used to showcase a gradual decline in the function of the kidneys. These are the organs that are used by the body to filter excess fluid and waste from your blood, which can then be removed when you urinate. When disease in the kidneys becomes more significant, then you can suffer from dangerous amounts of wastes, electrolytes, and fluids build up within the blood and in the body.
During the earlier parts of kidney disease, you might notice a few signs and symptoms, or you may not notice anything at all. For some people, the problem isn’t apparent until the kidneys start to fail.
What Is Kidney Disease? Signs and Symptoms
The symptoms and signs associated with kidney disease typically develop over time as damage to the kidneys continues to gradually worsen. Some of the symptoms and signs of kidney disease include vomiting, nausea, and a loss of appetite. Some people with this condition also experience sleep problems, urination issues, and problems with their muscles.
These signs and symptoms are often quite vague. This is because they could also be indicators of other illnesses. Because your kidneys seem to be highly adaptable and capable of compensating for loss of function, these indications might not be obvious until it’s too late.
What Is Kidney Disease? Causes
Typically, kidney disease occurs when an injury or illness impairs the kidneys. This condition might cause kidney damage to grow significantly worse as time passes by. Conditions and diseases that cause chronic kidney disease might include:
– Type 1 or 2 diabetes
– Recurrent kidney infections
– High blood pressure
What is Kidney Disease? Treatments
Depending on the underlying causes, certain types of kidney disease can be treated. For most cases, however, chronic kidney disease doesn’t have a cure. Treatment usually consists of various steps that are taken to control the symptoms, slow down the progression of the disease, and prevent or limit the complications. If your kidneys grow significantly damaged, you might need treatment for end-stage issues.
Usually, your doctor will begin by working to control or possibly remove the cause of the kidney disease. If your kidneys can’t keep up with clearing fluid and waste on their own, you will have end-stage kidney failure, and you may need a transplant or dialysis.
Dialysis refers to a process that is used to artificially remove extra fluid and waste products within the blood stream when your kidneys are unable to accomplish this on their own. In the case of peritoneal dialysis, a tube fills your abdominal cavity with a solution that absorbs excess fluid and waste.
Kidney transplants involve surgically removing a damaged kidney from your body, and replacing it with a healthy kidney taken from a donor’s body. You will need to take medicine for the rest of your life to make sure that your body doesn’t reject its new organ. If you were to refuse a transplant or dialysis, the third option would be to treat your condition using conservative measures. However, after complete kidney failure, life expectancy is often limited.
