Kidney Infections - What You Should Know

Kidney infections are dangerous and if left untreated could lead to blood poisoning, loss of one or even both of the kidneys, and possibly be life threatening. This severe illness usually begins when bacteria enter the urinary tract through the urethra and then begin to multiply in our body. Though it is somewhat unusual through this route, it may occur in certain circumstances, for example - when a foreign body, such as an artificial joint or heart valve, starts to get infected.

Symptoms of kidney disease include among many fatigue, nausea, and most commonly appetite loss. Others can include the need to constantly drink lots of water, which tends to lead to frequent urination, failure to groom, vomiting, and occasional diarrhea. The symptoms usually develop quickly, over a few hours or so, and may sometimes bring about pain in the loin, which is side of the abdomen over the kidney.

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Diseases of this type cause more cases of chronic kidney failure than any other cause. High blood pressure is one of the leading causes of kidney failure, also commonly called end-stage renal disease (ESRD). If you're at risk for kidney disease, it's important to get yourself tested. Make an appointment to see a health care professional, and learn more about how your doctor can help you treat kidney disease and prevent kidney failure. You do not want to be caught up in situations which most kidney disease patients have to go through.

If you find you have kidney disease, how should you start treatment? The first step begins with diet modification and without a doubt medication. Treatment is confined to complications such as infection, stones, bleeding and hypertension. When kidney disease is diagnosed early (during microalbuminuria), several treatments may keep kidney disease from getting worse. Important treatments for kidney disease are tight control of blood glucose and blood pressure. Find out at once from your trusted physician or health care professional immediately when you are concerned with problems or diseases with your kidneys.

Kidney disease often causes no symptoms until late in its course and can lead to end-stage kidney failure, which is fatal unless a dialysis machine is used or a kidney transplant is performed. Kidney infections are much more common in women than men, however that should be no grounds to be taken for granted for men of any age. Even if only one person in your family has kidney failure, there exists a risk within the family and thus all blood relatives should be tested for kidney disease.

Kidney Infections - What You Should Know

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Chronic Kidney Failure Stages - Stages 1 to 5 Explained

Chronic kidney failure stages are ranked from stage 1 to stage 5. If you have chronic kidney failure, your kidneys are slowly losing their ability to remove wastes and excess water from your blood. The condition is progressive meaning it gets worse over time. However, you can live with the condition for years before symptoms are seen.

The condition is also referred to as chronic kidney disease or chronic renal failure and affects approximately 2 out of 1,000 people in the United States. It is typically the result of other diseases and disorders that damage the kidneys. Diabetes and high blood pressure are two conditions that can lead to this chronic kidney disease.

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There is no cure for the disease, however, if diagnosed in one of the early stages, medications and diet and lifestyle changes can help slow the progression of the disease.

Chronic Kidney Failure Stages

The National Kidney Foundation set 5 chronic kidney failure stages to determine the severity of the disease. The chronic kidney failure stages are based on the GFR level (glomerular filtration rate), which is a measurement of how quickly your kidneys are able to clean your blood. If your kidneys are healthy and functioning normally, your GFR level will be 90 mL/min or greater.

Stages

Normal = Healthy Kidneys with a GFR level of 90 mL/min or greater

Stage 1 = Kidney damage but normal or high GFR of 90 mL/min or greater

Stage 2 = Mildly decreased GFR of 60 to 89 mL/min

Stage 3 = Moderately decreased GFR of 30 to 59 mL/min

Stage 4 = Severely decreased GFR of 15 to 29 mL/min

Stage 5 = Kidney failure or dialysis. GFR of Less than 15 mL/min

In stages 1 and 2, there may be no noticeable symptoms. In these chronic kidney failure stages, the disease is usually diagnosed through lab tests that detect associated conditions such as high blood pressure, higher than normal levels of creatinine or urea in the blood, blood or protein in the urine, or evidence of kidney damage (i.e. MRI, CT scan, Ultrasound, contrast X-ray).

In stage 3, you may develop anemia and/or signs of an early bone disorder.

In stage 4, your kidneys are losing the ability to properly remove waste products and excess water from your body and you will need to prepare for dialysis treatments or a kidney transplant.

Stage 5 is also called end stage kidney disease, or end stage renal disease (ESRD). In this stage there is a complete or near complete loss of kidney function. Your body accumulates wastes, water, and toxic substances because the kidneys are unable to clear them from the body. In this stage you will likely need dialysis or a kidney transplant to survive.

Chronic Kidney Failure Stages and Prognosis

Chronic kidney disease is progressive and there is no known cure for the disease. Most cases will progress to later stages and require dialysis or a transplant.

If you undergo dialysis, you have an overall five year survival rate of 32 percent. If you receive a kidney transplant, you have a two year survival rate of approximately 90 percent depending on your donor.

Chronic Kidney Failure Stages - Stages 1 to 5 Explained

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Facts About Late Stage Kidney Disease

The latter stage of kidney disease is also called end-stage kidney disease. This is defined as the time of complete or nearly complete failure of your kidneys to function. They are no longer able to remove wastes, regulate electrolytes or concentrate urine. This advanced state of kidney disease is also called ESRD, end-stage kidney failure or renal failure - end stage.

End-stage kidney disease is the level where the kidneys can no longer function at a level necessary to sustain life. The most common cause of this state in America is diabetes. ESRD generally follows years of chronic kidney failure.

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The kidney disease symptoms associated with later stages of the disease include

Unintentional weight loss
Yellow or brown skin
Seizures
Lack of urine output
Vomiting and nausea
Abnormalities in fingernails and toenails
Muscle cramps or twitching
Blood in stools or vomit
Itching
Increased pigmentation
Headache
General feeling of malaise
Frequent hiccups
Fatigue
Easy bruising or bleeding
Decreased output of urine
Decreased sensation in feet and hands
Coma
Delirium and confusion
Drowsiness and lethargy
Decreased alertness

There might be a history of chronic kidney failure over extended years, which progressed to this point. The volume of urine may be decreased, or stop completely.

Your physician may run tests including Creatinine levels to determine how little your kidneys are functioning.

As far as treatment is concerned, dialysis or a kidney transplant are the only treatments for late-stage kidney disease. Symptoms will continue to multiply without one or the other of these treatment options.

There are other treatments you can be given for kidney failure that has been categorized as chronic, but you would not see any progress without also having transplant or dialysis. The added treatment is usually treating aggressively high blood pressure.

You will probably also be ordered treatment for diseases that are affected by tour renal failure, including:

Urinary tract infections
Kidney stones
High blood pressure
Glomerulonephritis
Congestive heart failure
Obstructions of the urinary tract

You may be required to receive blood transfusions, and medications that include erythropoietin and iron to control anemia.

You can modify your diet to help slow the building up of wastes in your bloodstream, and to control other symptoms including vomiting and nausea. You will be asked to eat a high-carbohydrate, low-protein diet, to limit your fluid intake and to limit your intake of phosphorus, potassium, salt and other electrolytes.

A single kidney can function in the capacity of two; if you get a transplant, the healthy kidney should be able to handle your body's wastes. Without a transplant or dialysis, death will occur as a result of the buildup of waste products and fluids in your body. Both of the treatments have risks, too. The outcome is different from person to person.

Facts About Late Stage Kidney Disease

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7 Steps to Prevent Kidney Related Diseases

Kidney related diseases are the silent killers. It effects the lifestyle of a person. According to recent survey conducted by National Kidney Foundation, some of the people who have the chronic kidney diseases still don't know that they are suffering with deadly disease. Researchers at Vanderbilt medical Centre in Nashville, Tennessee, surveyed 401 people. More than 75 percent of participants had stage 3 chronic disease. 94% of people were aware that they had a kidney problem while 30% were unaware of the deadly disease. This is because of not identifying the symptoms in initial stages and unawareness of the disease. In order to prevent this deadly kind of disease, there are 7 important steps to be follow by everyone:

1. Be Active: Exercise daily for about 30 to 45 minutes to get your body under control. Do any type of exercise regularly for reducing the blood pressure which results in prevention of kidney diseases.

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2. Controlling of Blood Sugar Levels: Persons who are suffering with diabetes have more chances of getting kidneys failure. So, regularly check whether both the kidneys are properly functioning or not. If the problem identified at initial stages, one can prevent the kidney disease. As per doctor suggestion take the medicines regularly and control the blood sugar levels.

3. Blood Pressure Control: It is aware that person who suffer with high BP is more likely to get paralysis and heart attack. The blood pressure of a normal person is 120/80. If your BP is 129/89 then it is considered as pre-hypertension. So, you have to make sure to follow healthy lifestyle along with proper diet. If the BP is 140/90, one have to consult the doctor and check the BP regularly.

4. Proper food and Control of Weight: If you can make some changes in your diet, you can prevent heart strokes and also kidney related diseases. Cut out salt from your diet. One have to take 5 to 6 gm of salt per day. Reduce your salt intake by using salt substitutes like oregano. Avoid restaurant and processed foods.

5. No Smoking:Smoking affects the circulation of blood to kidneys. Due to low blood circulation, the kidneys will not work. 50 % of kidney cancer will get with smoking.

6. Avoid Unnecessary Medicines: Regular intake of drugs like Ibuprofen can damage kidneys and that will lead to Kidney related diseases. These type of medicines should be used only if needed. Persons who suffer with arthritis or lower back pain should take the medicines under the supervision of doctors.

7. Kidney Check-Up: A person who suffer with diabetes or high BP or obesity or any one in his or her family is suffering with kidney related disease or if a person is an Asian, then the regular check-up of kidney functioning is a must.

7 Steps to Prevent Kidney Related Diseases

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Preventing Chronic Kidney Disease - A Diabetes Complication

Chronic kidney disease is one diabetes complication that is easy to ignore. The body seems to be working fine and all is well. So most do believe but the truth is what is believed is far from close. For while people are merrily living their lives, the extra glucose in the blood is doing its dirty job destroying the body and threatening the heart, eyes, nerves and the kidneys.

The good news is people can protect themselves from these invaders. Researchers are coming closer and closer to within spitting distance of a major breakthrough. They are making great advancement in understanding what set off the diabetes complications and how to manage and prevent them from happening.

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Perhaps, understanding how chronic kidney disease happens will lead the way for more effort to prevent it. The kidneys are the body's filter units that work 24/7 getting rid of the toxins and wastes the body makes or brings in. They are so good at this job that it takes a long time for the symptoms to appear when they become blocked.

Diabetes can damage this filtering system making the tiny blood vessels unable to do their filtering job. When these are blocked, the impurities stay in the blood and some of the proteins and nutrients are lost in the urine. That is why the doctor checks the urine to see if valuable protein is lost.

There is good news. There are steps one can take to prevent this condition. The most vital thing one can do to prevent chronic kidney disease is to keep the blood sugar under control. Some studies have shown that people who keep a tight blood glucose control can reduce this particular risk by as much as 35 to 56%.

Another important thing one can do is to keep the blood pressure under control. High blood pressure can damage the capillaries in the kidneys rendering them unable to do their job. The two things one can do to keep the blood pressure within normal target is to maintain a healthy weight and to eat less salt.

With an advanced kidney disease and difficulty in lowering the blood pressure, the doctor may prescribe medications. Some of these may also help in the preservation of the kidneys' function. Not all diabetics develop chronic kidney disease and it is more common among type 1 diabetics.

What are the signs and symptoms of chronic kidney disease? We know that the early period produces few symptoms. They may appear slight like vomiting, weakness, fatigue and sleeplessness and fluid built up. The following are noticeable after much damage generally has occurred:

Hands, ankles and feet are swollen Feeling of confusion and experiencing difficulty in concentrating High blood pressure Shortness of breath Tiredness and sleeplessness Reduced or poor appetite Metallic taste in the mouth Vomiting Buildup of fluid Weakness

Let us now go after the treatment of chronic kidney disease. The treatment will depend on the stage of the condition. About five years after the diabetes diagnosis or even before this, get the doctor to test for protein in the urine and have this done once a year. The test should not be just proteinuria but also albuminuria.

During the early stage of chronic kidney disease, the treatment will involve tightening up of glucose level as this will cut the progression of the condition in half. High blood pressure has to be controlled too and a diet that is low in both salt and protein to reduce the kidneys workload is vital. The doctor may prescribe medication to lower the blood pressure and slow down the progress of the disease.

For more advanced cases of chronic kidney disease, there is dialysis where the blood is channeled through a machine that removes the toxins from the blood. There is also kidney transplant, but no one should get to this stage. Since diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure in the US and since there are no symptoms to give alert, it is prudent to get an annual test for kidney problems and take action to prevent this condition.

Preventing Chronic Kidney Disease - A Diabetes Complication

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Facts You Must Know About Kidney Transplant

Renal transplantation is the transplantation of a kidney into a patient with end- stage renal disease. The indication for transplant is end-stage renal disease (ESRD), regardless of the primary cause. End-stage renal disease is the name for kidney failure so advanced that it can not be reversed (''renal'' is another word for kidney).

The name is appropriate: the kidneys in end-stage renal disease function so poorly that they can longer keep you alive. Healthy kidneys clean blood by removing excess fluid, minerals, and wastes. They also make hormones that keep the bones strong and blood healthy. When they fail, harmful wastes build up in the body, blood pressure may rise, and body may retain excess fluid and not make enough red blood cells.

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When this happens, needs treatment to replace the work of the failed organ. Kidney transplantation is a procedure that replaces a healthy kidney from one person to another body. This one new kidney takes over the work of the two failed ones.

Renal transplant is typically classified as deceased-donor (formerly known as cadaveric) or living-donor transplantation depending on the source of the donor organ. Living-donor renal transplants are further classified as genetically related (living-related) or non-related (living-unrelated) transplants, depending on whether a biological relationship exists between donor and recipient.

Kidney transplantation is not a complete cure, although many people who receive a transplant are able to live much as they did before their kidneys failed. A successful transplant requires close follow-up with your doctor and you must always take your medicine as directed.

Facts You Must Know About Kidney Transplant

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Dog Kidney Failure General Info

Dog kidney failure is generally seen in older dogs and young dog who suffer from a health problem that is inherited or a birth condition of some sort. Dog kidney failure is medically classified as final stage or stage 4 kidney disease. When a dog reaches stage 4 their kidneys are functioning at less than 25% of normal capacity causing the blood to be filled with toxic substances that would normally be filtered out. While dog kidney failure in stage 4 is very serious it is in itself not necessarily an immediate death sentence, unless kidney function drops below 5%. By combining a smart diet modification plan, good veterinary care, and by taking steps to prevent urinary tract infection you can create an environment that is conducive to extended your pets years.

Dog kidney failure symptoms

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Dog kidney failure symptoms can vary somewhat depending on the severity of the condition. Nevertheless, if your dog is in stage 4 you can expect them show symptoms such as vomiting, depression, appetite loss, weight loss, mouth sores, dehydration, and diarrhea. Dog kidney failure symptoms in young dogs include softening of the bones and tooth loss. 

Identifying the condition

Certainly recognizing the dog kidney failure symptoms above are the first step in identifying the condition but you will need the help of your veterinarian to determine the stage, severity, prognosis, and treatment. Your vet will use a combination of X-rays, ultrasonography, urine and blood tests, a physical examination along with asking you some questions about your dog's recent behavior or change in behavior. 

Diet modification for late stage dog kidney failure

Certainly the is an area that should be discussed with your veterinarian but here are some general ideas.

*Protein: Impaired kidneys may be unable to separate the protein from the wastes. Some veterinarians suggest limiting the amount of protein to reduce stress on the kidneys but eliminating protein completely is not a good idea.

*Cholesterol and Sodium: Cholesterol levels will start to rise if the kidneys are functioning poorly. This leads to a cholesterol buildup in the arteries which in turn puts stress on the heart. Sodium raises blood pressure and can open the door for heart failure. 

*Specially formulated dog food: There are a number of pet food mixtures specially formulated for kidney disease. Talk with your veterinarian to determine which ones best suit your needs. 

In summary, when discussing dog kidney failure there is no magic bullet only a few steps to extend your pets life. Along these lines many dog owners are implanting urinary homeopathic tonics containing cantharis and uva ursi. Cantharis maintains a healthy urine flow and soothes the bladder while uva ursi maintains normal pH levels of the urinary tract and is known as a urinary tonic. By combining diet modification, veterinarian expertise, homeopathic tonics for kidney health, and a whole lot of love and patient you can do you part to ensure you and your dog have many more happy years together.

Dog Kidney Failure General Info

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Detecting Kidney Disease: Stage Four

In Stage Four of kidney disease, the symptoms a person experiences will start to be debilitating, and kidney function will become severely impaired. In fact, at this stage, there is only 15-29% kidney function remaining. The body may have disguised its condition for quite a while, but now the disease becomes drastically apparent and undeniable.

The symptoms will resemble things that had begun appearing in Stage Three, but will now magnify them: fatigue increases considerably, the appetite continues to decline, and an earlier phenomenon of itching skin might become much worse than it was. High blood pressure continues to be problematic, because of course the kidneys have now lost most of their capacity to excrete unneeded fluid, so it is retained in the body. This makes the heart and blood vessels work harder, and increases damage to them. And the kidneys may have trouble producing erythopoietin, which stimulates blood cell production, so anemia is another problem that plagues patients with the disease.

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At Stage Four, a cascade of effects may produce other effects, all of which contribute to an increasing weakness and a worsening of symptoms. As the kidneys become less able to filter phosphate, the levels of that electrolyte increase. In turn, this makes it more difficult for the body to absorb calcium. And since it's the proper interaction of phosphorous and calcium that strengthens bones, bone density itself may gradually decrease. This may produce aching in the bones, but it also leaves the person more prone to fractures, which take longer than usual to heal.

Treatments at this stage are many. Blood pressure is often treated with diuretics, though some of these can play havoc with potassium levels. Anemia can usually be successfully counteracted with drugs resembling erythopoietin. Medications may prevent bone disease, and much of the phosphorous/calcium imbalance can be reduced with diet.

But these are generally stop-gap measures. This is the stage where the patient begins heading in the direction of dialysis, and starts receiving consideration for a possible transplant. While the effects of Stage Four can be mitigated to some extent, the fact remains that the kidneys are so seriously diseased that the body can't go on forever like this.

Again, it is extremely important to take good, thorough stock of one's complete health every few months. The symptoms of kidney disease are easy to miss, in the stages when a person might do something about it.

Detecting Kidney Disease: Stage Four

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Protein and Stages One Through Four of Kidney Disease

Over 26 million Americans have chronic kidney disease with many millions more at serious risk of developing it. Early detection is vital to keep the disease from progressing from kidney disease to complete kidney failure. The major cause of death for people who have CKD is heart disease usually related to chronic and uncontrolled hypertension. Chronic kidney disease and high blood pressure are linked with one another: hypertension causes CKD and CKD causes hypertension. Excessive amounts of protein in the urine, medically known as proteinuria suggests the presence of CKD

Risk factors for kidney disease include diabetes, hypertension, family history and being African American, Hispanic, Pacific Islander or Native American. Doctors start suspecting kidney disease with the following warning signs: increased urination, fatigue, decreased appetite, nausea and/or vomiting, swelling of the hands and feet, itchy skin, numbness, drowsiness, trouble concentrating, darker skin color and muscle cramps. Diagnosis is completed by several tests which may include urine albumin and serum creatinine. Blood pressure tests might suggest kidney damage especially in those who are young or have no other risk factors for hypertension.

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CKD tends to develop slowly though, and may have no initial symptoms at all. A person can have both chronic kidney disease and acute kidney disease at the same time. Acute kidney disease is a rapidly progressive loss of renal function with a decrease in urine, body fluid disturbances and electrolyte imbalances will develop and may be caused by a number of other conditions. Acute kidney disease can be more serious than chronic kidney disease because it starts so suddenly, often without any kind of warning before hand. All possible symptoms of kidney disease should be checked by a doctor so that appropriate treatment can be started before the disease can get started.

Chronic kidney disease can be affected by the diet, especially protein intake. When protein is digested and used by the body, it creates waste products. In a healthy kidney, these waste materials are filtered and removed by millions of cells called nephrons. An unhealthy kidney will be unable to filter protein waste which is then backed up into the blood stream. For this reason, the doctors recommend protein intake be decreased especially in the first four stages of the disease. However, stage five will mean a change in the entire diet which is completely opposite of the diet for the first four stages of the disease.

The five stages of chronic kidney disease is based on glomerular filtration rate (GFR), or the amount of blood that the kidneys can filter. Normal, healthy kidneys filter 18 gallons of blood per hour, filtering over half of all of the fluid taken into the body and eliminating about two quarts of urine every day.

- In Stage I of the disease, GFR is 90 or above which is normal, but there will be an abnormal amount of protein in the urine.
- Stage II has a GFR of 60-89.
- Stage III, GFR equals 30-59
- Stage IV, GFR equals 15-29.
- Stage IV is the last stage before dialysis becomes necessary.

During this stage of the disease, excessive amounts of protein will cause nausea and/or vomiting, weakness, a loss of appetite, possible changes in taste and itchiness. At this point, it is important to get good control of the blood pressure and control the amount of protein in the diet. (Diabetics must also maintain blood sugar control).

In the first three stages of chronic kidney disease, the protein intake should be around 12-15% (a commonly accepted amount for most diets). For instance, a typical vegan diet consists of about 10-12% protein.

Once a patient reaches Stage IV of chronic kidney disease the protein intake should drop to ten percent which can, not only be hard to reach but can lead to deficiencies as well and should only be done with the direct advice of the doctor and under a nutritionist's guidance.

Protein comes from two sources in the diet: animals and plant based. Animal protein is the most common source of the nutrient in most diets, however it may increase the level of protein waste products in the blood stream, a serious problem for already struggling kidneys. Some of the most common sources of protein may also increase levels of phosphorous in the system to an unsafe level. These include milk, yogurt and cheese. Several plant proteins also increase this mineral and includes dried beans, peas, nuts and seeds.

Vegetarian protein may slow the progression of chronic kidney disease, within reason. The primary goals of a plant based diet:

- To get appropriate protein needs while minimizing waste products building up in the bloodstream.
- To maintain sodium, potassium and phosphorous balance.
- To make sure there is good nutrition so that optimal health level can be reached and maintained.

Protein is needed in the body, even in light of chronic kidney disease. Next to water, it is the most plentiful substance in the body and even though it is restricted, it is still necessary. Protein is used to create and maintain lean muscle mass, it is also necessary to regulate digestion, sleep and ovulation as well as playing an important role in the central nervous system.

Protein also plays a role in keeping fluid levels in balance which is very important especially if there is nausea and vomiting. If the kidneys are not functioning well, there might be a fluid restriction imposed as well as a limit on protein.

Why Protein Supplements Might Be Beneficial

Drinking a protein shake or a liquid protein supplement shot might be easier on the body than trying to eat a meal would be, especially if the patient is feeling ill. Supplements also have more easily digestible protein than other options which may in turn lead to fewer protein wastes in the blood stream. A good protein supplement:

- Should have the right amount of protein to be within the established diet
- Should have high quality protein and other nutrients
- Should be free from other ingredients that might be considered harmful in the diet
- Should be palatable, in appealing flavors

Protein supplements should be discussed with the doctor before they are added to the diet. Diabetics, especially have some concerns that they must keep in mind when choosing a protein supplement in addition to the protein restrictions that they must follow. There are some brands of protein supplements that are specifically designed for the diabetic.

Protein and Stages One Through Four of Kidney Disease

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Symptoms of Kidney Failure - A Serious Kidney Problem

Kidney failure is a very dangerous kidney problem. It may even be fatal. Once it has occurred, you either need kidney dialysis for the rest of your life, or kidney transplantation surgery.

Symptoms of kidney failure often go undetected in the early stages.

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A change in your body chemistry may be the first symptom that failure is in progress as your electrolyte readings become abnormal. The kidneys become less efficient at eliminating water and clearing toxins, which are two of the kidneys' major roles. As function slips away, the kidneys also do less to help in the production of red blood cells (which is another important role they play).

Even if your kidneys are 80 percent impaired, they can still function and keep you alive. But the longer you wait, the more likely you are to experience these symptoms:

*general fatigue,

*a general feeling of weakness,

*shortness of breath,

*generalized swelling.

The Importance of Recognizing Symptoms of Kidney Failure

If symptoms of kidney failure are not treated, a life-threatening situation can arise, including the following.

Low red blood cell count - Red blood cells bring oxygen to tissues and organs. Without it, they can't function efficiently, contributing to fatigue and weakness.

Improper potassium excretion - Rising potassium levels can lead to fatal heart rhythm problems. The heart may be in danger due to the body's inability to excrete potassium.

Metabolic acidosis - Your body isn't making enough bicarbonate, which means there's an increase in acid levels in your body. This can alter enzyme and oxygen metabolism, leading to kidney failure.

Uremia - Urea the primary solid component in urine. It is a waste chemical produced during the digestion of protein. The kidneys filter urea from our blood and it leaves the body in urine. When urea levels rise, certain muscle, heart and brain functions may be compromised, leading to the following symptoms of kidney failure:.

*lower appetite

*low energy, even high levels of fatigue,

*decreased cognitive functioning and an inability to think clearly.

By this point, there may be so little kidney function left that the patient may enter a coma.

When kidney failure reaches the critical stage, organs don't work as well and metabolic systems begin to collapse. Blood pressure rises because of excess fluids circulating in the body, and congestive heart failure becomes a serious threat. Breathing increases rapidly. Medical intervention is critical at this point if the patient is to survive.

Symptoms of Kidney Failure - A Serious Kidney Problem

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All About Early Stage Kidney Disease

Kidney disease symptoms will present differently at different times in the disease's progression. Use this article to learn what symptoms to watch for, and when to watch for them.

The kidneys are two organs, shaped like beans. They are roughly one inch thick, three inches wide and five inches long. They are located along the spine, below the ribs. There are nephrons inside the kidney, which help to filter out impurities. In addition, there are capillaries inside, where small particles and water are filtered from urine and blood.

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The extra fluids and the waste travel through the tubules, where processes turn the fluid waste into urine. Then this passes through a duct that collects it, and the renal pelvis. The urine is carried into the bladder and then out of the body.

There are various factors that affect the kidneys. They include untreated cysts or kidney stones; a history of diabetes and high blood pressure; drugs that are taken in unsafe quantities.

Early kidney disease symptoms include puffiness around your eyes, swelling in ankles and feet, blood in the urine, back pain, difficulty or burning in urinating, difficulty in concentration and breathing, high blood pressure, nausea and a metallic taste in your mouth.

If you experience one or more of these symptoms, contact your physician so that you can prevent further kidney damage. Your physician may want to run blood tests, which can rule out oddities in kidney functions.

After the earliest kidney disease symptoms, the disease may go into a chronic stage. Kidneys don't just fail, just like that. It is a progression that may take years. If yours is diagnosed early enough, then changes in your lifestyle, along with medications, can slow the disease down or even stop it altogether.

After the diagnosis has been made, the patient may be put on dialysis. This is a treatment that removes materials the body does not need, in patients whose kidneys will not perform that function anymore.

You can help keep your kidneys healthy and prevent kidney disease by drinking plenty of fluids on a daily basis. You should also avoid OTC drugs used for long term, especially acetaminophen, aspirin and ibuprofen. These can damage your kidneys.

You can also modify your diet to lessen the amount of sodium you take in. It's found in salt, and foods high in salt. If you have a diet with high sodium content, you may develop high blood pressure, which can damage the small vessels in your kidneys.

All About Early Stage Kidney Disease

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Detecting Kidney Disease: Stage Three

If at all possible, people should learn the early symptoms of kidney disease so that if it occurs, they can get it diagnosed as quickly as possible. But as many people learn to their distress, the first two stages of this disease are not easily detected unless one looks and watches very carefully. The first clearly noticeable symptoms finally reveal themselves as the disease reaches Stage Three, when already the person has less than 60% kidney function remaining, and may have as little as 30%. Yet even then, the symptoms can often be mistaken for something else.

People can go on for a long time with such reduced kidney function, because some of the initial symptoms -- tiredness and changes of appetite -- are so vague that they could be caused by many other things. But when they are combined with other symptoms like itching, water retention, and anemia, this is when the pieces slowly fall into place. As the kidneys become less able to filter fluids and remove them from the body, more fluids are retained, and the person may experience swelling and puffiness. Even their urine may become more clear, because fewer impurities are being excreted.

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Naturally this contributes to higher blood pressure. But the blood itself becomes more anemic, because it's when the kidney releases the hormone erythropoietin (EPO) that red blood cells can be created. When the kidney can't release as much EPO as it's supposed to, the blood cell count goes lower and the patient becomes more anemic. In turn, the blood carries less oxygen and the body has to work harder in order to function. As a result, the person experiences greater and greater fatigue.

At this stage, the patient absolutely must take steps to reduce sodium in the diet and bring the blood pressure down. The higher the pressure, the more damage to vein walls, and the more damage to veins in the kidneys, the worse kidney function becomes. Adjustments must also be made to other elements of diet: protein will need to be reduced, though the patient can't live completely without it. Patients may also need to take a phosphorus binder and vitamins that help boost kidney function. Working on these things with a knowledgeable dietitian is essential.

Even if earlier stages have been missed and the person has advanced well into Stage Three, it's vital to get diagnosed as early as possible, to preserve what kidney function is left and prevent the disease from progressing any further.

Detecting Kidney Disease: Stage Three

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Kidney Problem Symptoms

Kidney trouble should always be taken seriously because a kidney problem, if it's not treated in time, can have a huge impact on your overall health and quality of life. Some kidney conditions are potentially fatal. Your kidneys can become so damaged from a kidney infection or kidney cancer that they no longer function. When such kidney failure occurs, the only way you can survive is through a kidney transplant, or dialysis..

What Are the Most Common Kidney Problem Symptoms?

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Many kidney conditions have similar symptoms.

You may or may not experience pain in the lower back or "flank" area. If you have this pain, it may be mild, or it may be severe (as can happen with kidney stones). It can occur on either side of the back.

People who have a kidney condition often find they're urinating less frequently than before.

There may be blood present in your urine. If this is the case, your urine will look darker and may even have a slight reddish tint.

You may feel pain or discomfort while urinating. This also happens if you have a bladder infection, but it's possible that the infection might be happening elsewhere in the urinary tract - like the kidneys.

You may sometimes pass very little urine, even though you felt an urgent need to urinate moments before.

These are some other possibilities:

* chills and a fever,
* higher blood pressure,
* feeling overly tired, weak or fatigued,
* muscle weakness,
* bloating. This could be a sign that your kidneys aren't filtering fluids from your bloodstream as they should.
* swelling in the ankles, feet or hands,
* swelling and puffiness in the area around the eyes, especially in the morning,
* nausea and vomiting, along with a loss of appetite,
* abnormal behavior, seizures and convulsions. These sometimes occur in the late stages of a kidney problem.

Diagnosing the Symptoms

The following types of clinical procedures can assist in diagnosing the symptoms of kidney trouble.

* a blood analysis
* blood pressure checks
* a thorough health examination
* a sonogram of your abdomen
* an analysis of your urine,

Tests that are typically performed during the course of a woman's pregnancy can also assist in determining if kidney trouble is developing.

A Final Thought on Kidney Problems

Kidney problem symptoms are often difficult to diagnose, and frequently don't appear until the problem is serious. You can actually lose almost all kidney function before the signs of a problem are obvious.

Kidney Problem Symptoms

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Home Remedies For Dissolving Kidney Stones

Surgery for kidney stones is usually considered to be a last resort, because of the way surgery can degrade the performance of this delicate and vital organ. A better option are the non-surgical procedures, such as ESWL (extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy), whereby the stone is subjected to shockwaves which shatter it. Pharmaceuticals can also be used as a viable alternative to medical procedures. In addition, there are some home remedies for dissolving kidney stones.

No surgical treatments, such as the extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy, can be carried out without making an incision. This does not normally require an overnight stay in hospital, although recovery may take a few days, during which time you'll experience bruising and minor discomfort and, possibly, blood in your urine.

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Sometimes a more direct shockwave method is used, with a device called a ureterscope. This is employed if the stone has got lodged half way down the urinary tract. The ureterscope is passed up the urinary tract, where the stone can be dealt with in one of three ways.

1. It can be captured by a tiny grab and removed.

2. It can be shattered with the shockwave method.

3. It can be shattered with a tiny laser.

Fortunately, you can avoid these hospital procedures entirely, with either pharmaceuticals or some quite effective home remedies for dissolving kidney stones.

The pharmaceuticals, which were originally developed to combat high blood pressure, have a similar effect on the urinary tract as they do on the arteries: relaxing and enlarging the narrow tube, called the ureter, down which the stone is attempting to travel. However, this method is limited by how wide the ureter can be expanded and so it will only be effective on stones which are only slightly larger than the original size of the tube. In addition, the medication works best when the stone has traveled a long way down the ureter and is at the bottom. At that advanced stage, it will have caused considerable pain, as well as the possibility of having torn the delicate lining of the ureter.

In addition, because they were originally designed for patients with high blood pressure, there can be some unpleasant side effects with these pharmaceuticals. The pressure lowering effect reduces normal blood pressure, which is then less able to combat the effect of gravity on the supply of blood to the brain. This creates an unpleasant feeling of giddiness, when standing up suddenly -- a symptom normally only experienced with patients with low blood pressure (postural or orthostatic hypotension).

Fortunately, there some very effective home remedies for dissolving kidney stones, which do not have the same size limitations or unpleasant side effects of the pharmaceuticals. And, because they use only regular grocery items, they are completely safe to use.

Home Remedies For Dissolving Kidney Stones

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