With the use of the internet at its peak, people today are well informed about their health and bodily function. However, as people are growing and becoming more knowledgeable, diseases are getting stronger.
The kidney, which is one of the crucial organs of the body, is responsible for a major filtration process but when it stops working, it can lead to fatal consequences.
Kidney failure can happen instantly without any prior indication, such cases are known as Acute Kidney Failures. In other cases, kidney failure might be a result of long-term kidney disease which is known as Chronic Kidney Disease. Acute Kidney failures are reversible and may require kidney transplant in some cases.
You might be at risk of having kidney failure and you don’t even know it. So, below is the list of leading causes of kidney failure.
Cardiovascular Diseases- People with heart disease are more likely to get kidney disease, this is because heart disease messes with filtering units of blood, which would reduce the blood flow to the kidneys resulting in chronic kidney disease. In other cases, heart disease shares the same risk factors as kidney disease.
Diabetes- Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure. Increase or rise in blood sugar levels as the body stops metabolizing glucose, this is called type 2 diabetes. Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can cause not just kidney failure but death, this often results in people adapting to dialysis.
Glomerulonephritis- Glomeruli are small units in the kidneys that filter out waste, excess fluid, and electrolytes. When these Glomeruli units are inflamed, it is called Glomerulonephritis, it interferes with the process of filtration, the sole function of the kidneys, thus leading to kidney failure.
Immune System Disease- Lupus- Immune system disease or lupus is a kind of disease where the body thinks of healthy tissue as a foreign substance or threat and starts attacking it. This also leads to kidney failure.
Polycystic Kidney Disease- Polycystic Kidney Disease is a genetic disease that forms fluid-filled cysts in the kidneys and profusely interrupts the filtration process leading to chronic kidney disease.
Ureteral Obstruction- Ureteral Obstruction is commonly known as the cause of kidney stones. These stones, like the prostate, create a blockage in one or both of the tubes known as ureters that carry urine from the kidney to the bladder. These are often mild and can simply be removed via treatment but in some cases, they may become severe and can lead to kidney failure.
There are several other reasons or causes due to which a kidney failure might occur, some are rare disorders while others are diseases or infections such as Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, and repeated urinary infections, severe defects in urinary tracts.
Some other causes include HIV infection, heroin abuse, and sickle cell disease. Loss of kidney function can be fatal and is one of the biggest leading causes of death.
Being aware of the symptoms, causes, and treatment help in identifying any major disease beforehand.
Keeping up with a proper diet and living a healthy and stress-free lifestyle can act as a preventive method for such diseases.