What You Should Know About Kidney Disease

Kidney disease is a very serious condition that left untreated can lead to an untimely death. There are many causes for this to occur to an otherwise healthy individual. Read the information below so that you can become acquainted with the causes of kidney disease as well as other important information.

One cause for one’s kidneys to no longer function as they should is injury. This could occur in a number of ways, one common way being involved in a serious car accident. Just like any other organ, kidneys are very sensitive, and if damaged to a certain degree they can become unable to perform the processes that they once had.

Another cause of kidney failure is if your kidneys are not receiving enough blood for an extended period of time. Unfortunately, this issue can slowly develop, leaving most people unaware until it is too late to reverse the damage that has been done. This is usually diagnosed using advance medical technologies that can see whether or not blood is getting to where it needs to go effectively.

Yet another cause of kidney failure could be from a shock of a sudden increase in toxins in the blood stream. This can occur if you suffer from sepsis at some point in your life, such as if your appendix were to burst, which sends bile and other toxins into your body. The kidneys can then fail because they are working too hard to try and clean out these toxins. Another way this can occur is if you suffer from hepatitis, which can leave your liver unable to perform its necessary functions.

Certain medications can also cause kidney disease in some people. This is because medications are a foreign substance and are often seen by the body as a toxin. If your kidneys are pushed beyond their limits in trying to clean them from your system then can eventually shut down all together. This is why it is always important to tell your doctor of any changes you notice when you are on medications, as if it is caught soon enough, the damage can be avoided.

Diabetes, if left untreated, can eventually lead to kidney disease. This is because the kidneys can handle only so much insulin going through them. If they are constantly working overtime to try and flush out excess insulin they can eventually shut down completely. If you have diabetes it is essential that you follow your doctor’s instructions to ensure that it does not result in harm to your body over time.

Finally, a common cause of kidney disease is simply from a blockage to your urinary tract system. This can be from an enlarged prostate, which is somewhat common in older men, or from a kidney stone that is too large to pass. To prevent this from happening it is important to see your doctor right away if you notice that you are not passing urine at a normal rate. Having this backed up in your system puts far too much pressure on your kidneys and can lead to other health issues as well.

Now that you know what can cause kidney disease, it is important to also know the early warning signs. One, as stated above, is the reduction of urine output. If you find that you are drinking fluids as you should but are rarely urinating you should see your doctor immediately. Early intervention is crucial in preventing further damage. The opposite can be true as well, meaning that if you are urinating far more often than usual, it can be a sign of a kidney problem.

Another symptom is if there are any changes to the color of your urine, such as becoming darker that a yellow. You should also seek your doctor’s advice if you notice that your urine becomes foamy or bubbly when it reaches the toilet. Noticing these early signs can go a long way towards fixing whatever may be the true cause of your kidney issues.

Other, more extreme symptoms, include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fatigue, sleep issues, mental changes and muscle cramps. If you experience any of these symptoms for more than a few days you should see your doctor, regardless of what you think may be occurring, as they are symptoms of other serious conditions as well.

Finally, if you have been diagnosed with kidney disease, the most important thing that you can do is to follow your doctor’s advice. Many people who are forced to go onto dialysis because their kidneys can no longer do the work of cleaning toxins from their system do not follow their doctor’s orders. By not doing so you are only cause further harm to your kidneys as well as other organs in your body. Additionally, if your condition is that bad, not listening to your doctor can lead to death in just a few months. Following your doctor’s orders can increase your life span by many years, so do not avoid doing what you have been told, no matter how much you may despise the process.

Now that you have read the information above you know a lot more about the various causes and symptoms of kidney disease. Keep these in mind so that if you or someone you know begins to show signs you can know that it is time to seek medical attention. Early intervention is the key when it comes to this condition.