Kidney disease - Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Treatment of Kidney Disease

Sadly, chronic kidney disease (CKD) is irreversible. Any treatment offered will focus on improving the underlying disease. While Medcare will advise on the best course of treatment, knowledge of the range of treatments available, & an understanding of what they involve will help assuage fears & prepare you for a smooth treatment & hopefully, rapid recovery to full health. Modern treatment means kidney disease is manageable, & the treatments now offered include medication, surgery or a combination of both.

Treatment will help prevent & manage the complications of CKD, such as:

• Fluid overload
• Congestive heart failure
• Anemia
• Brittle bones
• Weight loss
• Electrolyte imbalance

Ensuring control of underlying problems, such as high blood pressure (hypertension) & diabetes, should slow the progression of kidney disease.

End-Stage Renal Disease

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) occurs when kidneys begin to shut down. Once kidney function reduces to 10 percent or less, you may need dialysis or a kidney transplant. Treatment for both CKD & ESRD include:

• Diet changes - decrease fat, salt, protein, & potassium in your diet.
• Reducing salt & fluid intake - helps control blood pressure & prevent fluid overload.
• Exercise
• Quitting smoking

Supplements & medication include:

• Iron & vitamin supplements for anemia
• Calcium & vitamin D supplements
• Injection of Erythropoietin to stimulate red blood cell production
• Phosphate binders
• Stool softeners – to help with constipation
• Antihistamines – to help with itching

Medical treatment for Kidney Disease

You may need dialysis to purify the blood. This can be hemodialysis (where blood is pumped outside the body through an ‘artificial’ kidney) or peritoneal dialysis (PD), where the blood is cleaned inside your body using a special solution delivered via the abdomen. In certain cases, a kidney transplant may be the right course of action. Also, talk to your Medcare doctor about controlling your blood sugar & diabetes, if you have it. Those with CKD or ESRD may be more susceptible to infection. The following vaccinations are recommended:

• Pneumococcal vaccine
• Hepatitis B vaccine
• Influenza vaccine
• H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine
• COVID-19

Hemodialysis

Hemodialysis removes waste & extra fluid from the blood in a procedure that can be performed at home or a dialysis center. During hemodialysis, blood is pumped to a dialysis machine, then through a special filter (a dialyzer, otherwise known as an artificial kidney). After blood is filtered, it is returned to the bloodstream.

Peritoneal Dialysis

In peritoneal dialysis (PD), blood is cleaned inside the body, not outside, where the abdomen lining (knows as the peritoneum) naturally filters the blood. A cleansing solution is passed into the abdomen via a tube known as a PD catheter. Blood wastes & extra fluid are passed through this cleansing solution.

Kidney Transplant

A kidney transplant puts a healthy kidney from another person into the body. The kidney may come from a person who died, or a living donor, like a close relative, spouse or friend. It might be from someone who wishes to donate a kidney to anyone in need of a transplant. Note that kidney transplant is a treatment, not a cure, & it is important to care for the new kidney with a heightened level of care as before the transplant.

Risk Factors of Kidney Disease

The risk of kidney disease increases the older we get. The condition is also genetic, & is seen to run in families. Evidence also suggests it’s more likely to occur in people of certain ethnicities. Other risk factors of kidney disease include:

• Tobacco smoking.
• Unhealthy weight, especially obesity.
• Having a high cholesterol level.
• Diabetes (both Types 1 & 2).
• An autoimmune disease: When your immune system mistakenly attacks your body.
• Obstructive kidney disease, including bladder obstructions.
• Atherosclerosis: In which plaque builds up inside the arteries, limiting blood flow to organs.
• Liver failure &/or cirrhosis of the liver.
• Cancer of the Kidney &/or bladder.
• Kidney stones & or infection.
• Systemic lupus erythematosus: An autoimmune disease where the immune system. attacks its own tissues, creating organ inflammation & tissue damage.
• Scleroderma: A thickening of the skin.
• Vasculitis: Inflammation of blood vessels.
• Vesicoureteral reflux: When urine flows back into the kidneys.

Complications of Kidney Disease

Cardiovascular disease is a common complication of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), which includes:

• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Cholesterol issues
• Strokes
• Heart failure

CKD sufferers often experience issues with how the rest of the body works. Common complications of CKD include:

• Anemia
• Hypercalcemia (high calcium levels): Too much calcium in the blood can weaken bones, create kidney stones, & interfere with how the heart & brain work.
• Gout: A type of arthritis characterised by sudden pain & swelling in a joint.
• Metabolic acidosis: A serious electrolyte disorder characterized by too much acid in body fluids.
• Bone disease & high phosphorus (hyperphosphatemia): Manifests as muscle cramps, spasms, mouth numbness & tingling, bone & joint pain.
• High potassium levels (hyperkalemia): Causes muscle fatigue, weakness, paralysis & abnormal heart rhythms.
• Fluid build-up: Swelling & discomfort, can cause problems with the heart, lungs, & high blood pressure.

Prevention of Kidney Disease

While kidney disease is irreversible, there are some simple things we can all do to help try & avoid it. If you have diabetes or high blood pressure, it’s vital to manage those conditions under medical supervision.

Kidney diseases can be prevented by:

• Making healthy food choices: Eating more fresh fruits & vegetables, whole grains, & low-fat foods. Cutting back on salt & sugars.
• Including regular exercise in your daily routine.
• Ensuring a healthy weight.
• Ensuring you get enough rest & sleep.
• Avoiding smoking & tobacco products.
• Avoiding alcohol.
• Managing stress.
• Ensuring diabetes, high blood pressure, & heart disease are well-managed.