The Curious Tale of the Toiling Kidneys Your kidneys may be small, but they perform many big and vital functions. However, we often forget the existence of this pair and with that ignorance, you may suddenly realise you've got acute or chronic disorders. In certain serious cases, there even may be the need for kidney treatments like dialysis or kidney transplant to stay alive.
Kidney disorders come under the medical bracket of Nephrology. Nephrotic syndrome, acute nephritic syndrome, acute renal failure, chronic renal failure, and diabetic nephropathy are some of the common albeit serious disorders we treat and cure at NU Hospitals. Nephrotic syndrome: You may not even know that you have nephrotic syndrome until you’ve got a urine or blood test. This syndrome isn’t a disease, but a group of symptoms indicating at kidneys that aren’t working right. Symptoms: •
Cloudy urine
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Tiredness
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Swelling in legs, feet, ankles and sometimes hands and face
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Loss of appetite
Acute Nephritic Syndrome: It’s an immune reaction prompted by an infection or another disease. A doctor’s appointment and tests can show an enlarged liver, high blood pressure, abnormal heart and lung sounds, enlarged veins in the neck. Symptoms: •
Dark shade or cloudy urine
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Blurred vision
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Shortness of breath
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Weakness and aches
Acute Renal Failure: This disorder tends to occur rapidly. There are three main categories of causes of acute renal failure, prerenal (caused by low blood supply to the kidneys), intrinsic (harm caused by chemicals, illegal drugs or even prescribed ones), post renal (kidney failure caused by problems in the urinary tract, bladder, urethra) Symptoms: •
Vomiting, fatigue, and loss of appetite
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Irregular heartbeat
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Muscle weakness
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Loss of consciousness
Chronic Renal Failure: It is a slow and steady decline of the kidney functions. It usually is caused by another serious medical condition. It occurs over months as the kidney slowly stops working. Symptoms: •
Increase urination, especially at night
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Decreased urination
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Blood in urination
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Cloudy urination
Diabetic Nephropathy: As the name suggests this kind of kidney disorder is caused Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. In worst case scenarios there even may be a need for transplant. Symptoms: •
Tiredness
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Swelling of hands, feet, eyes, legs
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Worsening of BP control
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Loss of appetite
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Increased urination
In NU Hospitals there are treatments available for many kidney diseases, though these disorders can often be prevented with regular doctor’s check-up and advice. Our kidney doctors have specialised many innovative procedures that allow our patients to receive quality treatment, making one of the top nephrology hospitals in India. However, before you let your body down think of all the consequences you’d have to face for it.