Kidney Diseases
You can find all the details you wonder about kidney diseases in our content, and you can clear the question marks in your mind!
What is Kidney Disease?
Kidney diseases occur when the kidneys do not function as they should. In such a case, the body’s mechanisms are disrupted. This causes various health problems. In some cases, the disease may be limited to the blood vessels associated with the kidney. In some cases, kidney tissue, urinary tract and hormone production systems of the kidney are also affected. As a result, changes in the size and shape of the kidneys occur. The kidney cannot properly excrete harmful substances such as urea from the body. Protein leakage in the blood can also be seen in this case.
What is Kidney?
It is our brown and bean-shaped organ. Their position on the body is at waist level, below the rib cage and closer to the back. They have one on each side of the body. They are equal in size and are connected to organs such as the bladder where urine is transported and stored. It has important tasks such as removing harmful substances from the body.
Where Is The Kidney Located?
Our internal organs are usually located in the thoracic and abdominal cavities. All of them are in a certain order and order. Some organs can move to an area behind the posterior wall of the abdominal cavity while in the womb. The kidneys are also located in this area. They are located on both sides of the spine and next to the connective tissues that make up the posterior abdominal wall.
What Does the Kidney Do?
Its most basic function is to filter the blood through special capillaries and to remove substances such as urea, which are harmful to the body, from our body. Excess water, mineral electrolytes and some chemical products are also removed from the body through the kidneys. This is provided through the urinary tract. They also detect and measure different parameters such as the amount of blood protein and blood sugar.
It then ensures that they remain at the ideal level for blood. Excess protein mixes with the urine and is excreted from the body. Regulating the acid-base balance of the blood is another important task. The kidneys are also the center where vitamin D is produced.
How Does Kidney Disease Start?
The disease shows some important symptoms at first. The most important sign of this is severe bleeding and lack of oxygen. These cause direct trauma. Prolonged obstruction of the urinary tract is one of the most important indicators of kidney disease.
Continuation of this condition causes chronic post-renal renal failure. It is very dangerous not to urinate for a long time. As a matter of fact, in this case, pressure and damage are seen in the kidneys.
What Diseases Can Be Seen in the Kidneys?
Emerging diseases occur according to the affected tissues, different clinical findings and mechanisms. However, there are certain kidney diseases seen in the community. These can be summarized as follows.
Chronic Kidney Disease
It is the most common kidney disease. The presence of a long-term health problem in the kidney tissue causes severe tissue damage. As a result, the functions of the organ are disrupted and permanently changed. Hypertension and diabetes are the most important causes of this condition. Vascular structures that produce urine by filtering blood vessels are also damaged as a result and lose their function. Thus, the kidney cannot produce the required amount of urine. This prevents the removal of harmful substances in the amount that needs to be removed from the body.
Acute Kidney Failure
In some cases, it can develop. Chief among these are chemicals and drugs that cause damage. Factors such as some diseases and physical trauma also cause severe regression of kidney functions. However, this situation can be resolved by solving the cause of kidney damage. In the absence of treatment, the disease can turn into chronic kidney failure. This may cause permanent damage to the urinary ducts that temporarily lose their function.
Kidney Stone
This problem occurs as a result of the minerals in the urine condensing due to some reasons and collapsing on the tissues and taking on a stone-like structure. This condition is seen in the pelvis area and along the urinary tract. This is a very serious condition and can cause a blockage in the tissues. The blockage causes urine to accumulate. This accumulation, which can become infected over time, can cause significant urinary tract infections. Long-term blockages can also damage kidney tissue, which can lead to kidney failure.
Urinary Tract Infections
Bacteria, viruses and fungi in the urinary tract can become infected over time and cause urinary tract infection. All urinary tract infections generally occur this way. This is a treatable condition. However, if left untreated, the infection can spread upwards and progress to the kidneys. Therefore, no urinary tract infection should be taken lightly.
Polycystic Kidney Disease
This occurs when the genes responsible for kidney development are mutated and changed. Thus, a formation surrounded by cystic structures can be seen in the kidneys. This course causes different problems. Especially hypertension, bloody urine and enlargement of the size of the organ are among these problems. Enlargement of the kidneys causes some other symptoms and complaints. These include abdominal pain, swelling, feeling of fullness, nausea and vomiting, fever, sweating, and pain when urinating.
Glomerulonephritis
Glomeruli can become inflamed for a variety of reasons. This condition is called glomerulonephritis. This group of diseases is also known as nephrotic and nephritic syndromes. These occur within the framework of some auto-immune and rheumatological diseases. Patients often have health problems such as hypertension, body edema and bloody urine.
The methods used in the diagnosis of kidney diseases in clinics in Turkey are made with state-of-the-art medical devices. You can find solutions to your kidney disease problem in Turkey with the diagnosis and treatment methods performed by specialist doctors who have accomplished successful studies in the field of urology.
What Diseases Can Be Seen in the Kidneys?
The symptoms and symptoms that occur due to the disease vary greatly. However, the following symptoms can be seen as a result of most kidney diseases:
- Weakness and fatigue,
- Confusion,
- Widespread edema and swelling, usually seen in the lower parts of the body,
- Dryness, rash and pallor of the skin,
- Frequent urination and waking up at night unlike normal,
- Urinating in large or small amounts,
- Blood in the urine,
- Dark urine,
- Feeling burning or pain while urinating,
- Back and abdominal pain,
- Loss of appetite,
- Diarrhea or constipation,
- Muscle and joint pain,
- Decreased interest in sexuality.
People with the following characteristics may have kidney disease at a higher rate than other people:
- People with chronic diseases that cause kidney damage, especially hypertension,
- People with a family history of chronic kidney disease,
- Elderly people.
How to Have a Healthy Kidney?
The prerequisite for having healthy kidneys is to take good care of the body. For this, first of all, it should not be interrupted to drink an average of 2 liters of water a day. Drinking a small amount of water also reduces the amount of urine produced daily. This can also cause some health problems. The urine color of people who eat a balanced diet and drink the required amount of water is clear and does not smell bad. This is a sign of a healthy kidney.
Another sign is that blood values are within reference ranges. To detect this, help is taken from a kidney function test. With this test, the urea level of the person, the levels of minerals such as sodium, potassium, chlorine, calcium and phosphorus in the blood are determined. If all are within the reference ranges, the person can be considered to have healthy kidneys.
Apart from these, physiological mechanisms related to hormones are expected from healthy kidneys to function correctly. Cell elements in the blood should be at the desired level. This ensures a healthy skeletal system, and the bones of the person are strong.
Another important element for healthy kidneys is regular health checks. Regular check-ups are the most beneficial step to prevent possible health problems. With urological examinations performed by urology specialists in Turkey, you can learn the status of your kidney health, and in case of a possible kidney problem, you can have your treatment done by specialist doctors in Turkey.
Which Methods Are Used for the Diagnosis of Kidney Diseases?
Various imaging and laboratory tests are used for diagnosis. The following are the most commonly used diagnostic methods for the diagnosis of kidney diseases:
- Complete Urinalysis: With this assay, various minerals, proteins and amount of urine in the urine are examined. This analysis also determines whether the color of the urine is as it should be. If a person's kidneys are not working as they should, this test result can provide important data to confirm this.
- Kidney Function Tests: This test is important in terms of examining the kidneys' functions of filtering blood and producing urine. Thus, the person's blood creatinine level, urea level, mineral and pH values are examined. If the values are in the range indicating the disease, it is determined by this way.
- Ultrasonography and Computed Tomography: Ultrasonography and computed tomography are the most helpful methods in the detection of most diseases. With these methods, the size, shape and texture of the kidney can be controlled. The kidneys of a healthy person are 10-12 cm long, and their shape resembles a bean. The color of the kidneys is brown. Kidney sizes above this value indicate kidney swelling.
- Kidney Biopsy: It is the most definitive method in terms of detecting whether there is a problem in the kidneys. With this method, kidney tissue is examined in detail microscopically.
How Are Kidney Diseases Treated?
For treatment, urine and blood tests should be examined first. According to the result, the cause of the disease is determined. How serious the cause of the disease is and how long it has affected the person are important questions for treatment. After the diagnosis is made, the first thing to focus on is the treatment of this problem. For example, if the cause of the problem is a bacterium, this should be treated with antibiotic therapy first.
It is not the right approach to apply treatment to suppress the complaints that arise directly as a result of kidney damage. If acute kidney failure is in question, finding and treating the underlying cause often allows the kidneys to return to their former form. Blood pressure should be taken into account to prevent kidney diseases. Hypertension is among the most common causes of kidney diseases.
If the kidneys are extremely sick, kidney failure develops. In the last stage of this, dialysis is required. Kidney transfer is another treatment method if possible. With dialysis, the blood in the person’s body is filtered and the person is provided to produce clean blood by external intervention. Dialysis is usually administered once a week. Each application takes 3-4 hours on average. The success rate in kidney transplantation is around 80%. If the body accepts the kidney, the person can regain his old health.
In health institutions in Turkey, you can spend your treatment process in a healthy and comfortable way with drug treatment for your kidney diseases and surgical applications performed with closed and open methods. Urology specialists in Turkey apply the most appropriate treatment method for your kidney health with different treatment approaches and achieve successful results.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kidney Diseases
How to Tell if There is a Problem in the Kidneys?
Symptoms of kidney disease usually do not appear in the early stages. It is very difficult to detect diseases such as chronic renal failure in the early stages. The following symptoms are usually seen due to problems with the kidneys:
- Fatigue and weakness,
- Nausea,
- Vomiting,
- Frequent urination, especially in passing,
- Swelling in feet and ankles,
- Persistent itching and dry skin.
How to Know If Kidneys Are Working Well?
The urine of people with well-functioning kidneys is not clear and smelly. Well-functioning kidneys do not cause fatigue, tiredness or fatigue. The skin retains its elasticity, on the other hand, the skin of people with kidney problems is dry and pale.
What is the Rate of Kidney Disease Occurrence in Turkey?
The rate of chronic kidney disease in adults is around 15.7%. This indicates that one out of every 6 people has a problem with their kidneys. One in every 20 people has advanced kidney disease. While this rate is 18.4% for women, it is 12.8% for men. The incidence of the disease increases with age. For example, while this rate is 8-10% for people around the age of 40, it is around 55% for people over the age of 80.
What is End Stage Kidney Failure?
This means permanent deterioration of kidney function. People with this disease have completely impaired kidney function. There are no treatment options other than dialysis and kidney transplant for survival.
What are the first signs of kidney failure?
The first signs of kidney failure are as follows:
- Urinating less than before,
- Swelling and edema formation in limbs such as legs, feet and ankles, especially in the lower part of the body,
- Unexplained shortness of breath,
- Chest pain,
- Weakness and fatigue,
- Intense nausea,
- Confusion,
- Remittance,
- Coma in progressive cases.
How Is Kidney Cancer Determined?
A physical examination is required first for diagnosis. Apart from these, help is taken from urine and blood tests. Detection of high levels of creatine in the blood is risky in this regard. Another diagnostic method is ultrasonography.
What Happens in the Body of a Person whose Kidneys Are Not Working Enough?
Healthy kidneys prevent the accumulation of excess potassium in the body. Otherwise, excessive potassium accumulation is seen in the body. This adversely affects bone health. Problems occur in the use of vitamin D and bones become weak.
What Damages Kidney Most?
The most damaging actions and diseases to the kidney are as follows:
- Diabetes,
- Hypertension,
- Obesity,
- Drinking a small amount of water,
- Consuming too much salt,
- Random drug use,
- List ItemSmoking and alcohol.
Does Kidney Failure Kill?
If detected in the early stages, treatment is possible. However, if the diagnosis is made late, the healing process of people becomes very difficult. In the future, the kidneys may lose their function completely and organ transplantation may be needed.