How to know if you have kidney problems

Video: HOW TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE KIDNEY PROBLEMS [Free dialysis video training]

Content

Steps
Part 1 of 3: Identifying Kidney Stone Disease
Part 2 of 3: Identifying a Kidney Infection
Part 3 of 3: Identifying Chronic Kidney Disease
Additional articles

The kidneys are considered the main filter of the human body. In addition to other important functions, the kidneys and the nephrons (small filter units) in them remove waste products from the blood and maintain mineral (electrolytic) balance. Violation of the filtration process can lead to the appearance of protein, excess minerals and other secretions in the urine. It can cause a variety of kidney problems, including kidney stones, kidney infections, or chronic kidney disease. Sometimes there are no symptoms in the early stages of kidney disease.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Identifying Kidney Stone Disease

1 Find out what is kidney stone disease (nephrolithiasis). Kidney stones are small pieces of fossilized minerals and salts that form in the kidneys. Some kidney stones remain in the kidney, while others break off and enter the urine. Although kidney stones can be painful to move around, they usually do not cause long-term damage.
- Small stones may pass unnoticed from the body, while larger stones may be difficult to pass.
2 Observe the symptoms of kidney stones. You may experience severe pain in the sides and back, below the ribs, in the groin area, and in the lower abdomen. With the movement of kidney stones, the pain can roll in waves, then subside, then intensify again. In addition, the following symptoms are possible:
- Pain when urinating
- Pink, red, or brown urine and cloudy or foul-smelling urine
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constant urge to urinate, more frequent urination (albeit in small amounts)
- Fever and chills (if you also have an infection)
- Attempting to get into a comfortable position (eg, sitting, then standing, then lying)
3 Consider risk factors. Kidney stones are more common in men than in women.The propensity for urolithiasis can differ among representatives of different ethnic groups: for example, in the United States, white Americans of non-Hispanic origin are more likely to suffer from urolithiasis. Being overweight, obese, dehydrated and high in sugar, sodium, and protein also increase the risk of kidney stones.
- You are more likely to develop kidney stones if you or someone in your family has had them.
4 Get a medical diagnosis. Your doctor will examine you and order blood and urine tests. He will pay attention to the content of calcium, uric acid and other minerals that contribute to the formation of kidney stones. You may also have x-rays, computed tomography, or ultrasound scans. With these methods, your doctor will be able to see if your kidneys have stones.
- The doctor may collect kidney stones after they pass in the urine. This will allow the stones to be analyzed so that the doctor can determine what caused the stones, especially if the stones are often passed with urine.
5 Follow your doctor's recommendations for treatment. If the stones are small, you can remove them at home. This involves drinking more water, taking both over-the-counter medications and possibly more potent prescription drugs to help relax your urinary tract muscles.
- If the stones are larger and damage the urinary tract, the urologist may crush them with shock waves or remove them surgically.
- If over-the-counter drugs are not enough, your doctor may prescribe other drugs to help reduce pain.

Part 2 of 3: Identifying a Kidney Infection

1 Find out what a kidney infection (pyelonephritis) is. Bacteria can enter the urinary tract and multiply there, eventually leading to kidney failure. In more rare cases, bacteria can enter the kidneys through the bloodstream. The infection can affect one or both kidneys.
- The urinary tract is made up of the kidneys, bladder, ureter (ducts that connect the kidneys to the bladder), and urethra (urethra).
2 Pay attention to the symptoms of a kidney infection. Difficulty urinating may be the first sign of a problem. When visiting the restroom, a person experiences pain, and then literally immediately feels the urge to urinate again. The following symptoms also indicate a kidney infection:
- Heat
- Nausea and vomiting
- Chills
- Back, side, or groin pain
- Abdominal pain
- Frequent urination
- Pus or blood in the urine (hematuria)
- Cloudy or offensive urine
- Disturbed consciousness or other unusual symptoms, especially in the elderly
3 Consider risk factors. Because women have a shorter urethra (urethra), it is easier for bacteria to enter and cause infection. In addition, the following factors increase the risk of kidney infection:
- Weakened immunity
- Damage to nerves near the bladder
- Blockage of the urinary tract (for example, due to kidney stones or an enlarged prostate)
- The ingress of urine into the kidneys
4 Know when to seek medical attention. If you experience any symptoms of a kidney infection, you should see your doctor. For the treatment of some diseases, medical attention is required, so it is advisable to make a diagnosis as early as possible. You will have a urinalysis and possibly an ultrasound scan to look for possible kidney damage.
- Your doctor may also order a blood test for bacteria and check to see if there is blood in your urine.
5 Follow your doctor's recommendations for treatment. Because a kidney infection is caused by bacteria, you will most likely be prescribed antibiotic treatment. As a rule, such a course lasts about a week.In severe cases, you may be admitted to the hospital while you are taking antibiotics.
- You must complete your antibiotic course, even if your condition improves before it ends. An early interruption of the course can lead to a resumption of infection, and this time the bacteria will be more resistant to medications.

Part 3 of 3: Identifying Chronic Kidney Disease

1 Learn about chronic kidney disease (CKD). CKD can develop suddenly or gradually due to other conditions that damage the kidneys. For example, kidney damage can be caused by high blood pressure or diabetes. If kidney damage is severe enough, chronic kidney disease can develop. This usually takes from several months to several years.
- Primary kidney disease can develop when the kidney nephrons lose their ability to filter blood. Damage to the nephrons can be caused by other problems, such as kidney stones, infection, or injury.
2 Recognize the symptoms of chronic kidney disease. Because chronic kidney disease takes a long time to develop, symptoms may not be noticed until the disease reaches later stages. Chronic kidney disease has the following symptoms:
- More frequent or less frequent urination
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Itchy and dry skin all over the body
- Marked blood in the urine or dark, frothy urine
- Muscle spasms and muscle cramps
- Swelling or swelling around the eyes, feet, and / or ankles
- Confusion of consciousness
- Difficulty breathing, trouble concentrating and sleeping
- Decreased appetite
- Weakness
3 Consider risk factors. If you have high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease, you are at an increased risk of developing chronic kidney disease. The propensity for chronic kidney disease differs among different ethnic groups: for example, in the United States, it is more common among African Americans, Hispanics and Natives of the American continent. Since some kidney diseases are due in part to genetic predisposition, family history also plays a role. Also, talk to your doctor about any medications you are taking, as some of them can affect the kidneys, especially with prolonged use.
- Kidney disease is more likely after age 60.
4 Know when to seek medical attention. The symptoms of kidney disease can be easily mistaken for signs of another disease, so if you experience any of the symptoms listed above, a physical examination should be done to determine the specific cause. An important role in the timely detection of kidney disease is played by annual medical examinations, which often reveal the problem even before any symptoms appear.
- It is also advisable to talk to your doctor about your family history and let them know about your concerns about kidney health.
5 Get a diagnosis of chronic kidney disease. Your doctor will examine you and order blood and urine tests, as well as imaging tests. Visual examinations will allow the doctor to see if there are any abnormalities in the kidneys. Blood and urine tests can help identify possible kidney problems, filtering waste products, proteins and nitrogen from the blood.
- The doctor may also check the functioning of the renal nephrons by determining the glomerular filtration rate (GFR).
- Your doctor may order a kidney biopsy to determine the cause and extent of your kidney disease.
6 Follow your doctor's instructions for treatment. Once the doctor has determined the cause of your kidney disease, they will make a treatment plan. For example, if your symptoms are caused by a bacterial infection, you will be prescribed antibiotics. However, with a chronic illness, it may be that the doctor can only cure complications.In severe cases, such as kidney failure, hemodialysis or kidney transplant may be required.
- To treat complications of CKD, you may be prescribed medications for high blood pressure or anemia, as well as to lower cholesterol, relieve swelling, and protect your bones.
- Your doctor may also prohibit you from taking certain medications, such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.