Your body constantly breaks down chemicals to release energy, resulting in processes such as digesting food and breathing that generate waste requiring removal. Several body parts rid the body of waste, like the skin, liver, lungs, and kidneys. The kidneys work by reabsorbing essential particles from your bloodstream and removing waste through the ureter and urethra.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) damages the organ, making it harder to perform its function, leading to waste buildup and several complications. To avoid dealing with the symptoms and many issues associated with this condition, let’s examine the reasons it occurs and related risk factors, the signs it's happening, and methods of prevention.
Residents of Sylacauga and Talladega, Alabama, who suspect they have signs of chronic kidney disease or other renal conditions can receive assistance from Dr. Ghayas Habach and the dedicated staff at Merit Health Care.
In addition to waste removal, your kidneys also help form red blood cells, regulate mineral balance, control blood pressure, and maintain bone health. Chronic kidney disease, also known as chronic kidney failure, happens when kidney problems persist for more than three months and result from issues like:
Other possible causes include polycystic kidney disease, glomerular diseases, lupus, kidney cancer, kidney stones, urinary tract infections, and abnormalities in the kidneys or urinary tract before birth.
Early stages of this problem may not present with symptoms. Still, when they start, you deal with signs like urinary urgency, low energy, fatigue, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, ankle, feet, and hand swelling, puffy eyes, foamy or bubbly urine, muscle cramps, and hypertension. Other signs, like sleeping issues, numbness, nausea, vomiting, and itchiness, are also possible.
Left untreated, CKD leads to many other illnesses, including anemia, gout, metabolic acidosis, hypertension, heart and blood vessel disease, nerve damage, a weakened immune system, and fluid buildup. You also risk higher levels of potassium, known as hyperkalemia, and phosphorus, referred to as hyperphosphatemia, respectively.
This condition isn’t always avoidable, depending on your health issues, but basic methods to prevent it and reduce the risk include dietary changes (decreasing fat, salt, potassium, and protein) and properly managing other related conditions, such as diabetes. You’ll also need to exercise more, quit smoking or using other tobacco products, and try supplements to help.
Several tests, including ultrasounds, biopsies, DEKA scans, and MRIs, can help confirm this condition, and if you do have it, we’re here to help.
Avoiding chronic kidney disease is the best option if possible, but if you show signs of it or other urinary issues, contact Dr. Habach and the team at Merit Health Care today to get help.
