Kidney failure, which is also known as renal failure, ensues when kidneys can not filter waste and balance fluids in the body. The common perception is that kidney failure is just one disease but it’s not true at all. In this blog post we will be looking at types of kidney failures and the diseases behind them. There are two main types of kidney failures: acute and chronic. One must understand these kinds, their causes and consequences to manage or prevent this disorder.
Acute Failure of Kidneys:
Acute kidney failure otherwise called Acute Renal Failure (ARF) happens abruptly resulting to a cessation of normal functioning in the kidneys. It may occur over hours or days and often reversible. Some causes include extreme dehydration congestive heart failure, damage to the kidney itself or massive blood loss depending on the person affected . Signs for acute renal failure include reduced urine flow, retention of fluids, confusion as well as fatigue.
Chronic Kidney Failure:
Chronic kidney failure, also known as chronic kidney failure or CKD, is a condition where the kidneys lose their function gradually over time. Often this loss of functionality is irreversible and can lead to end-stage renal disease (ESRD), which necessitates dialysis or a kidney transplant. Chronic glomerulonephritis, diabetes mellitus and hypertension are the causes of it. Indications for chronic kidney insufficiency may include vomiting, lack of appetite, nausea, fatigue and changes in urine production.
Although the above mentioned are the main two types of kidney failure. Chronic Kidney Failure can be due to different reasons. Listed below are some of these kidney conditions that may result in Chronic Kidney Failure:
Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD):
It results from genetic disorder characterized by growth of many cysts in the kidneys leading to disruption in the functioning of kidneys. These cysts can cause an enlargement in size hence interfering with functions. Symptoms for PKD include high blood pressure, back pain or side pain, headaches and blood in urine. There is no cure for this condition but its symptoms can be managed using available treatments including blood pressure control and tackling complications.
Glomerulonephritis
The condition arises when the glomerulus (tiny filters in the kidneys that remove waste from the blood) is infected and causes inflammation. This could result from autoimmune diseases, too much protein as well as some drugs. Symptoms include blood in urine, frothy urine, and high blood pressure. The solution to this problem is treating the root cause while reducing inflammation by using appropriate medications.
Diabetic Nephropathy:
This occurs due to long-term diabetes. Blood vessels in the kidney become damaged due to high blood sugar levels thus losing their ability to filter waste out of the body. If not managed on time, this condition leads to CKD and eventually ESRD. Swelling, fatigue, and changes in urine output are its symptoms. Controlling blood sugar levels and hypertension is a solution for this issue. Early medical check-ups can help prevent or slow down diabetic nephropathy progression.
Interstitial Nephritis:
This involves inflammation of the kidney’s interstitium, which is located between the kidney tubules. Sometimes it may happen after reactions caused by allergies against particular medications used; infectious conditions or autoimmune problems may be responsible for its development as well. There are also fever, rash, and more or less frequent urination symptoms. Infection-causing factors should be withdrawn during treatment for this condition while addressing further causes of it thereby decreasing inflammation.
In addition to these, several other kinds of kidney diseases are:
Lupus Nephritis: An autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks the kidneys, causing inflammation.
Alport Syndrome: A genetic disorder that affects the type IV collagen in the kidneys, leading to progressive kidney disease and hearing loss.
Amyloidosis: A condition where abnormal proteins accumulate in the kidneys, impairing their function.
Cystinosis: A rare genetic disorder where the amino acid cystine accumulates within cells, causing kidney and other organ damage.
Understanding the diverse causes and types of kidney disease is crucial for early detection, appropriate treatment, and effective management of the condition – whether failure or disease.
Any symptoms related to kidney function require immediate medical attention so that treatment can be given, to slow disease progression. Therefore, consulting a healthcare provider is a wise decision if such symptoms are noticed.