What is Kidney Disease?
Kidney disease develops when the kidneys have been damaged by conditions or diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure (hypertension) or inflammation of the filtering units in the kidneys (glomerulonephritis). This damage can occur gradually over months or years making it particularly dangerous since symptoms may not appear until damage has already been done.
When abnormal kidney function persists for three months or longer, chronic kidney disease occurs. This affects your kidneys ability to keep you healthy.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive loss in kidney function over a period of months or years. The symptoms of worsening kidney function are not specific, and might include feeling generally unwell and experiencing a reduced appetite. Often, chronic kidney disease is diagnosed as a result of screening of people known to be at risk of kidney problems, such as those with high blood pressure or diabetes and those with a blood relative with CKD. This disease may also be identified when it leads to one of its recognized complications, such as cardiovascular disease, anemia, or pericarditis. It is differentiated from acute kidney disease in that the reduction in kidney function must be present for over 3 months.
Signs and Symptons?
Symptoms of acute kidney injury may include:
- Decreased urine output, although occasionally urine output remains normal
- Fluid retention, causing swelling especially in your legs, ankles or feet
- Drowsiness
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Feeling confused, anxious and restless, or sleepy.
- Not feeling like eating.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Pain in the back just below the rib cage. This is called flank pain.
- Chest pain or pressure
- Seizures or coma in severe cases
If you or a loved one have experienced any symptoms related to kidney disease, please contact Inland Empire Nephrology for a consultation today
