Interpreting your body’s signals can help you stay on track. Here’s how to identify kidney problems.
Your kidneys are essential to your overall health. It is located symmetrically around the waist in the abdominal cavity. Pathological processes can occur in the kidneys, like other functions of the body. Early diagnosis of these problems is very important for effective treatment. In the following article, we will discuss the main kidney diseases and focus on their specific symptoms. Then we will look at what parameters can be measured with blood (and urine) tests to evaluate kidney function, and then we will make some preventive recommendations. Kidney function
The importance of the kidneys to health is well known by doctors and patients. These organs, which are part of the urine, play a role in the removal of waste products and are important in filtering the blood. The kidneys are also important for the body’s water and salt balance. The kidneys also produce vitamin D and other chemicals such as prostaglandins, erythropoietin and renin.
What are the main types of kidney diseases?
When talking about kidney functions, let’s talk about the most common pathological conditions. The first problem is kidney stones or nephrolithiasis. Kidney stones are large solid substances that form in the kidneys, especially as a result of the precipitation of excessive salts in the urine. Stones are mostly formed by the aggregation of calcium oxalate crystals and can sometimes block the urinary tract and cause a painful condition called renal colic.
It is a degenerative disease that leads to progressive kidney failure. Chronic kidney failure is associated with the accumulation of waste products in the body, inadequate energy supply, and fluid retention that can endanger the body’s health.
Nephrotic syndrome is a condition that involves the glomeruli (structures that act as filters) and causes excessive protein excretion in the urine. At the same time, albumin levels decrease and fluid volume increases. Diabetic nephropathy is a kidney disease caused by diabetes, which occurs as a result of severe damage to the glomerular structures and can lead to nephrotic syndrome. Diabetic nephropathy can eventually lead to kidney failure.
Other kidney diseases are characterized by inflammatory processes. In this case, we are talking about nephritis. When the root of the problem is an infection and affects the renal pelvis, we call it pyelonephritis. In addition, the inflammatory process can affect the glomeruli and is called glomerulonephritis. In other cases, inflammation affects both the tubules and the interstitial tissue, and this is called interstitial nephritis. Nephritis is most often caused by infection, drugs, or other pathological factors and can occur as an acute or chronic condition.
Signs and symptoms of kidney problems
With some exceptions, kidney problems can be so insidious that they progress silently or are rarely noticed in the early stages. However, it is important to know how to recognize the obvious signs, even if they are not so obvious. So let’s start with the most obvious symptoms and then move on to the sometimes less obvious ones.
- Back pain
- Blood in the urine
- Frequent urination
- Foamy urine
- Water retention
- Fatigue and exhaustion
- Bad sleep
- Digging
- Loss of appetite
- Night cramps
Secrets of long-term kidney health
Quitting smoking, not drinking alcohol and starting physical activity are good starts. The Mediterranean diet is also the basis of health.
In general, it is important to avoid all the bad habits that lead to obesity, diabetes and hypertension: these are all diseases that affect kidney function. It is important to drink plenty of water, consume less salt, eat more whole foods and consume less animal fats and simple sugars. Paying attention to your calorie intake can help you maintain your ideal weight, and following a varied, balanced diet can provide your body with all the nutrients it needs.
