Kidney Disease: Kidneys are a pair of fist-sized organs located at the bottom of the rib cage on each side of the spine. They are responsible for filtering waste products and excess water out of the blood, balancing levels of salt, potassium and other minerals, and producing hormones that control blood pressure and red blood cell production. Kidney disease occurs when the kidneys are no longer able to do this properly, and unsafe levels of waste and water build up in the body. The main causes of kidney disease are diabetes and high blood pressure, but many other diseases and lifestyle habits can also affect kidney function.

If you suspect you have kidney disease, your doctor will take a detailed medical history and do a physical exam. They will order blood and urine tests to find out how well your kidneys are working. A common test is called the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) which measures how much blood your kidneys are filtering per minute. This is calculated using a formula that takes into account your age and sex.

Your doctor may also want to check your urea nitrogen (BUN) level, the amount of protein in your urine, and your creatinine, which is a chemical that is produced when your kidneys are damaged. They may also suggest a renal ultrasound or computed tomography scan to see the size of your kidneys, look for any stone or tumours and check that blood is flowing normally.

In the early stages of kidney disease, people often don’t have any symptoms because the kidneys can cope with a significant reduction in their function before damage is noticed. This is because the body can usually make enough of the hormone nephroptin, which is used to regulate calcium, and other things like electrolytes such as sodium and potassium.

If kidney disease progresses, it can cause problems such as a build up of waste products in the blood, which leads to high blood pressure, poor circulation and blood clots, anemia, bone disease and urination problems. If you have a very severe decrease in kidney function, the kidneys may be no longer able to produce urine and can lead to death.

In the early stages of kidney disease, there are a number of different treatments that may help slow the progression of the condition and relieve any symptoms you do have. These include a healthy diet, limiting your salt intake, exercising regularly and treating any other diseases or conditions that may be contributing to the kidney disease. You may be given medication such as ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) to lower your blood pressure and prevent your kidneys from becoming more damaged. In later stages of kidney disease, the treatment options are more limited and may involve dialysis or a kidney transplant. However, even if the disease is very advanced, it’s still possible to live a long life with good quality of life if you continue to get treatment and keep monitoring your kidney health.