If you have kidney problems, it means that your kidneys are not working as well as they should. When the kidneys become damaged, waste products and fluid can build up in the body, causing symptoms like swelling in your ankles, increased urination and weakness.
As there are very few, if any, symptoms in the early stages of kidney disease, certain tests and procedures are needed to determine how well your kidneys are working. See Diagnosis to learn more about these.
There are many causes and types of kidney problems. While most are treatable, only some are curable. If left untreated, damage may become lasting and get worse over time. If the damage is very bad, your kidneys may eventually stop functioning completely. Kidney failure is serious, and you will need either dialysis or a kidney transplant in order to live.
The good news is that there are certainly lifestyle changes you can make for better kidney health. To protect your kidneys, you should get kidney health checks regularly, and control major risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure and smoking tobacco. For more information, see the section Prevention.
Although many forms of kidney disease have no symptoms until late in the course of the disease, there may still be some warning signs. If you do have symptoms, they might include:
The kidneys are two organs located on either side of your spine, just below your rib cage. They are part of your urinary tract. The kidneys perform several life-sustaining roles, which include:
If you have kidney problems, it means that your kidneys are not working as well as they should. When the kidneys become damaged, waste products and fluid can build up in the body, causing symptoms like swelling in your ankles, increased urination and weakness. There are many causes and types of kidney problems. While most are treatable, only some are curable. If left untreated, damage may become lasting and get worse over time. If the damage is very bad, your kidneys may eventually stop functioning completely. Kidney failure is serious, and you will need either dialysis or a kidney transplant in order to live.
The two main causes of kidney problems are diabetes and high blood pressure. According to the National Kidney Foundation , diabetes and high blood pressure are responsible for up to two-thirds of all cases of chronic kidney disease. Some infections, inherited diseases and injuries can also cause kidney problems.
There are various types of kidney problems, however some of the most common include:
As there are very few, if any, symptoms in the early stages of kidney disease, certain tests and procedures are needed to determine how well your kidneys are working. These may include:
Depending on the underlying cause, some types of kidney problems can be treated. Others though, may have no cure. Treatment generally includes measures to help manage your symptoms, ease health complications, and to reduce or slow further damage to the kidneys. While treatment options vary, they may include:
While it’s not always possible to prevent all types of kidney problems, there are certainly lifestyle changes you can make for better kidney health. To protect your kidneys, you should:
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