Kidneys are bean-shaped organs that are located under the rib cage. The kidneys are responsible for filtering waste products, impurities and excess water from the blood. Furthermore, the toxins are flushed out of the body during urination.

However, due to several causes, an individual gets affected with renal disease. Renal diseases can lead to various other health conditions such as weak bones, malnutrition and nerve damage.

Continue reading this article to know more about the causes, types and symptoms of renal diseases!

Renal disease refers to the diseases that happen due to disorders in the kidney. Renal diseases affect the ability of the body to clean blood, control blood pressure and filter out extra water from your blood. This disease also affects the production of red blood cells and vitamin D metabolism required for bone health.

When the kidneys get damaged due to a renal disease, fluids and waste products accumulate in the body. This scenario causes swelling of ankles, poor sleep, shortness of breath and weakness. Furthermore, if the condition is left untreated, it can lead to a life-threatening condition such as kidney failure.

Broadly, there are five types of renal diseases. These are –

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

This is the most common type of renal or kidney disease. CKD is a condition that lasts long and does not improve over time. The functioning of the kidney deteriorates to a point where it no longer performs its task properly. In such a situation, patients need to opt for dialysis.

Kidney Stones

Another common type of kidney disorder is kidney stones. Passing kidney stones is extremely painful; however, they rarely cause any significant problem.

Glomerulonephritis

Glomeruli are tiny structures present inside the kidney, and they filter blood. The inflammation of glomeruli causes a condition known as glomerulonephritis. Nevertheless, this condition usually gets better by itself.

Polycystic Kidney Disease

It is a genetic disease which causes a number of cysts to grow in the patient’s kidneys. The cysts come in the way of kidney functions and lead to kidney failure.

Urinary Tract Infections

UTIs or urinary tract infections are bacterial infections in any part of the urinary system. Urethra and bladder infections are the most common types of UTIs. These conditions can be easily treated and are rarely severe. However, if these are left untreated, they can spread and lead to kidney failure.

Let us take a look on what are the leading causes of renal diseases – 

• High blood pressure and diabetes are the main causes of chronic kidney disease or CKD.
• Kidney stones occur due to the crystallisation of minerals and various other substances in blood.
• Infections, congenital abnormalities or drugs are the primary causes of glomerulonephritis.
• Bacteria such as E. coli and fungi are the leading causes of UTIs.

Renal disease can go unnoticed till the symptoms get severe. Some of the early symptoms of renal diseases include – 

• Fatigue
• Difficulty in concentrating
• Trouble in sleeping
• Poor appetite
• Muscle cramping
• Swollen ankles/feet
• Puffy eyes in morning
• Scaly, dry skin
• Frequent urination (especially at night)

Severe symptoms of renal diseases are as follows – 

• Nausea
• Vomiting 
• Loss of appetite
• Changes in the urine output
• Fluid retention 
• Anaemia 
• Reduced sex drive  
• Hyperkalaemia 
• Inflammation of pericardium

Individuals with diabetes are at greater risk of getting affected by renal diseases. About 44% of the total cases of kidney diseases happen to diabetic patients. Furthermore, the odds of kidney diseases increase if an individual – 

• Has high blood pressure
• Has family members affected by CKD
• Are elderly
• Are of Hispanic, African, American Indian or Asian descent

Your doctor might recommend several tests to ensure that the kidneys are working properly. The tests include – 

• Glomerular filtration rate test
• Ultrasound or CT (computed tomography) scan
• Kidney biopsy
• Urine test
• Blood creatinine test

Treatment of renal diseases focuses on identifying and controlling the cause of disorder. The doctor might use one or more methods to treat renal diseases. The methods include – 

• Usage of drugs and medications such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ramipril and lisinopril), angiotensin receptor blockers (olmesartan and irbesartan) and cholesterol drugs such as simvastatin.
• Lifestyle and dietary changes such as avoiding foods rich in cholesterol, cutting back on salt and limiting alcohol consumption.
• In a situation where the kidneys have failed, the doctor might recommend you to go on dialysis.

There are several preventive measures to stay protected from renal diseases. These practices include – 

• Drinking plenty of water
• Controlling blood sugar for diabetic patients
• Controlling blood pressure
• Cutting down on salt
• Quit smoking
• Being extra careful while using over-the-counter drugs
• Limiting foods rich in sodium, animal protein, citric acid and oxalate.

That being said, renal diseases do not disappear after diagnosis. However, the best way to ensure good kidney health is by adopting a healthy lifestyle and following the doctor's advice. Renal diseases can turn out to be life-threatening, so never leave them untreated.