Kidney Disease

It’s estimated that kidney disease affects 37 million people across the United States. That equates to 15% of the adult population or 1 in 7 adults throughout the country. It can be devastating being informed that you have kidney disease.

However, modern medicine and technology have advanced to the extent where even chronic kidney disease can be successfully treated long-term. Therefore, the most important thing you can do at the onset of kidney disease is to properly educate yourself about your condition.

By doing so, you’ll be able to receive prompt care to cope with your condition. Continue reading to receive a comprehensive guide on kidney disease.

WHAT IS KIDNEY DISEASE?

Kidney disease happens when your kidneys become damaged and can’t function like they normally would. Kidney damage happens over time. People diagnosed with high blood pressure (hypertension) or diabetes usually are at an increased risk of being soon diagnosed with kidney disease.

If not properly treated, kidney disease can develop into kidney failure. From there, a kidney transplant or dialysis becomes necessary. Dialysis is a long-term alternative for people living with kidney failure, as it replicates the functions of the kidneys.

A kidney transplant mitigates kidney failure by inserting working kidneys in the human body. Though people diagnosed with kidney failure have to be placed on a waiting list for a kidney transplant and it can take several months to years to receive a transplant.

For this reason, it’s important to treat kidney damage before the issue becomes chronic and life-threatening.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF KIDNEY DISEASE?

Kidney disease requires a medical diagnosis. That’s because some people usually don’t experience any symptoms or symptoms can develop slowly over time. There are a wide variety of symptoms of kidney disease.

These symptoms include:

  • Fatigue
  • High blood pressure
  • Abnormal heart rhythm
  • Itching
  • Insomnia
  • Increased urination
  • Foamy urine
  • Puffiness around eyes
  • Swollen ankles or feet
  • Cramping
  • Loss of appetite

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should speak to your physician immediately to schedule an examination. Receiving an early diagnosis of kidney disease will be beneficial for effective treatment.