Acute Kidney Injury is defined as sudden onset Kidney failure. Patient presents with increase in Creatinine and reduced urine output. AKI may be caused because of Infection, Sepsis, Poisoning commonly.
Symptoms in patients:
Patients with these symptoms should consult Nephrologist immediately and get treated.
In severe AKI, patients may require hospital admission and dialysis.
Cysts in kidneys are seen in many conditions and also in varied age group of people.
Most of the cystic kidney diseases are hereditary. Most commonly seen are polycystic kidney disease in Adults and acquired cystic kidneys. Cystic kidney disease can be seen congenitally. Once cystic kidney disease is diagnosed, patient’s family members should be screened for cysts in kidney and may also require genetic testing.
Cystic kidney diseases are diagnosed incidentally on abdominal scan for some other reason. Patients with this disease can present with Hypertension, Kidney failure, Increase in Uric Acid and Electrolyte disturbances. Patients with severe renal failure may require dialysis.
Nephrotic syndrome means losing protein in Urine. Most common in children, usually identified by their mother. Nephrotic syndrome can also be seen in Adults. Patients with Nephrotic syndrome present with pedal oedema and Facial puffiness. Patients with these features need to consult Nephrologist and undergo laboratory evaluation and may require Kidney biopsy. Cause of Nephrotic syndrome can be identified by Biopsy and in most cases it is treatable.
Diabetes mellitus is most common cause for Chronic Kidney disease. Uncontrolled diabetes can affect multiple organs in body. Kidneys are also affected where patient present with recurrent urinary tract infection, pedal oedema, facial puffiness, reduced urine output. Patient with diabetes have to consult physician and have strict control of blood sugars.
Regular checks of kidney function test and urine analysis are advised.
Kidneys are sometimes affected during pregnancy due to various causes. Causes include Urinary tract infection, Glomerular diseases, hypertension during pregnancy. Post-delivery causes include blood loss during delivery, infections and vascular diseases.
Regular ante-natal visits and check of blood pressure is advised for all pregnant women. Control of blood pressure during pregnancy is advised. Severe kidney injury may require dialysis.
Poisoning with Paraquat, Organophosphorous compound, Rat killer paste can cause kidney damage requiring dialysis. Dialysis may also help in removing posion content from blood.
Chronic kidney disease means irreversible damage of kidneys. The two main causes of chronic kidney disease are Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension. Diabetes causes damage to many organs including the kidneys, heart, blood vessels, eyes and nerves. Hypertension can be a leading cause of chronic kidney disease, heart disease and strokes. Many other conditions can harm the kidneys. These include:
Risk factors for chronic kidney disease.
Chronic kidney disease causes fluid overload status, muscle cramps, hypertension, anemia, weak bones-mineral bone disorder, anorexia, altered sensorium, pruritus, insomnia, nocturia, poor nutritional health.
Chronic kidney disease may progress slowly over a long time. If it is diagnosed and treated early, it can be slowed down or could be stopped. It will need treatment like dialysis or kidney transplantation.
