Monthly Archives: December, 2022

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a partial or complete reduction of kidney function and it has five stages, where stage 5 is called renal failure. The disease progresses slowly and is determined by the extent to which kidney function is reduced.

In its initial stages, CKD is asymptomatic. Often, patients do not even know they have a kidney problem, but find out during the course of treatment for another disease, or when their condition is already in an advanced stage.

Symptoms of CKD may include: heaviness or pain in the lower back, high blood pressure, swelling, decreased urine output.

Organs and systems in the body are interconnected. Therefore, a problem in one place affects the whole body. Moreover, the risk factors for these 3 diseases are similar: hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), arterial hypertension, being  overweight, family history and low physical activity.

DIABETES AND CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE

Nowadays, diabetes is quite prevalent. Nearly 1 in 3 diabetes patients suffers from some degree of chronic kidney disease.

High blood sugar damages the blood vessels, leading to arterial hypertension, which in turn damages the kidneys and their function. On the other hand, hyperglycemia itself leads to kidney damage.

Therefore, maintaining normal blood sugar levels is crucial. Here, not only the medications your endocrinologist will prescribe are important, but also a healthy lifestyle: body weight control through appropriate diet and exercise, as well as avoiding nephrotoxic (kidney-damaging) medications and taking them only when absolutely necessary.

HEART DISEASE AND CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE

Kidney disease often leads to heart complications, while heart problems lead to kidney dysfunction.

Uncontrolled hypertension (blood pressure above 140/90) is one of the causes of CKD. On the other hand, CKD can lead to arterial hypertension and subsequently heart disease.

Many factors that can cause kidney disease also damage the heart and blood vessels. Among them, firstly, come high blood pressure and diabetes, which many patients with CKD have. In second place come obesity and smoking.

There is a strong connection between chronic kidney disease, heart disease and diabetes and it is not rare for one patient to have all three of them.  In their early stages, all of these diseases can be asymptomatic. Therefore, regular check-ups (for example, every year), even if you don’t have any complaints, can significantly increase your quality of life.

CHRONIC KIDNEY FAILURE AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES (nephrolife.bg)

Kidney dysplasia (Renal dysplasia) is a defect in the intrauterine development of the kidneys, which means that one or both kidneys have abnormal appearance (cysts, increased amount of connective tissue, etc.) and impaired function.

IS THIS CONDITION COMMON?

The condition occurs in 1:1000 to 1:4000 live births. It may go undiagnosed when only one kidney is affected and there are no symptoms.

Renal dysplasia in the majority of cases is a consequence of genetic mutations. Usually it is not an isolated condition, but is accompanied by defects in other organs and systems.

  The use of illegal substances and certain prescription medications during pregnancy also increases the risk of giving birth to a child with renal dysplasia. Therefore, it is important that the intake of any medication by the pregnant woman be discussed with an obstetrician-gynecologist.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

Unilateral dysplasia can be asymptomatic or in combination with other defects of the urinary tract. Those affected often develop arterial hypertension and proteinuria (protein in the urine) at a later stage. Lumbar or abdominal pain, frequent urinary tract infections, and slower growth are also possible.

Bilateral dysplasia is one of the most common causes of chronic kidney disease in newborns. It can also be associated with the presence of oligohydramnios (reduced amount of amniotic fluid) during pregnancy.

Kidney changes can be diagnosed in utero by fetal ultrasound. After birth, some characteristic changes in laboratory parameters are also important for the diagnosis.

PROGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

The prognosis depends on the severity of the disease and especially on whether only one or both kidneys are affected.If a child has one functional kidney, a normal life is possible, provided that the condition is monitored regularly (blood pressure, laboratory parameters, urinalysis).

Children born with bilateral dysplasia must be strictly followed up by a pediatric nephrologist, who will order the necessary tests. It is possible for the condition to progress, necessitating hemodialysis or a kidney transplant.

PREVENTION

Genetically determined renal dysplasia cannot be prevented. It is important for pregnant women to lead a healthy life and to let their gynecologist know if they take any medications or have family history of renal dysplasia.