Kidney diseases refer to any illness which affects the structure or function of kidneys. There are many causes including hypertension, diabetes infection, autoimmune conditions as well as certain medicines. Kidney diseases may range from minor to serious and could develop over time and lead to kidney failure when left untreated. The most common symptoms are the appearance of swelling and fatigue, as well as variations in urine output as well as difficulty in being able to concentrate.
What are the various types of kidney diseases?
There are a variety of kidney disorders which include:
- Acute Kidney Injuries (AKI): AKI is a sudden and dramatic reduction in kidney function often caused by the effects of medication, dehydration, and infections or a decrease in blood flow to kidneys.
- Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD): PKD is a genetic condition that is characterized by the development of multiple cysts inside the kidneys. As time passes, the cysts could affect kidney function, and cause complications.
- Glomerulonephritis: Glomerulonephritis refers to inflammation of the glomeruli tiny units that filter fluid within the kidneys. The cause can be diseases of the immune system, infections, or any other condition that causes it.
- Kidney Stones Kidney stones are mineral deposits and salt which form inside the kidneys. They may cause severe discomfort and pain when they enter the urinary tract.
- Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): UTIs are the most common type of infections found anywhere in the urinary tract, which includes kidneys. They're usually the result of bacteria and may cause kidney damage if not treated.
- Nephrotic syndrome: Nephrotic syndrome is a disorder that is characterized by an excessive amount of protein leakage in the urine which causes swelling (edema) and decreased levels of proteins in the blood and the presence of cholesterol in high levels.
- chronic kidney Disease (CKD): CKD is a condition that lasts for a long time where the kidneys slowly become dysfunctional over time. It's usually caused by diseases like diabetes, hypertension as well as glomerulonephritis. CKD generally falls into five phases based on the degree of kidney functioning, with stage one being the least severe and stage 5 indicating kidney failure also known as end-stage kidney disease (ESRD).
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