Kidney disease may be asymptomatic for years. They progress unnoticed, causing irreversible changes. And yet it is so easy to prevent. Be sure to have a cheap, simple and painless urine test every year.

There has been a lot of attention recently about kidney diseases. On the one hand, because they occur more and more often. But there is also another reason - new possibilities of diagnosing and treatingkidney diseaseshave emerged. Modern research makes it possible to detect the cause of problems early, which, combined with new therapies, increases the chances of curing diseases that until recently medicine was helpless.

Kidney disease - silent threat

The problem with kidney disease is that, in many cases, it progresses without causing any discomfort. Moreover, pain in these areas of the body usually does not originate in the kidneys. It can mean pressure on the nerve roots or some kind of back problem. Even early kidney tumors are painless. But there is also a group of kidney diseases where pain is the first symptom. It'surinary tract infectionandurolithiasis . Ailments are located in the lower abdomen, accompanied by fever and biochemical changes in the urine, e.g. a large number of leukocytes, erythrocytes or bacteria in the sediment. A blood test may show leukocytosis and high ESR. Kidney diseases are often the result of poorly treated angina or colds, e.g. various forms of acute or chronic glomerulonephritis. They take years to develop and are usually detected by accident after otherwise ordered urine analysis or creatinine testing.

Do a urine test to find kidney disease

For your own safety, you should do a general urine test once a year. A developing kidney or urinary tract disease may be indicated by even a small amount of protein in the urine, as well as white and red blood cells. There should also be no rollers in it. But the results must be seen by the doctor, because only he can properly evaluate them and - if necessary - order other tests or start the correct treatment immediately. It is also worth observing for yourself the changes in the color of urine, its consistency, transparency and smell. Other symptoms that may suggest kidney disease include: malaise, apathy, sleepiness, excessivepale skin, headache, fever, vomiting, constipation, leg swelling, increased blood pressure. You may develop oliguria or urinating too often, but any change in your bladder's routine should pay attention.

Who is more prone to kidney disease?

Elderly people who have a reduced efficiency of the immune system, especially men with prostate enlargement, and those suffering from diabetes (diabetic nephropathy), as well as patients with arterial hypertension (hypertensive nephropathy) are particularly at risk of kidney and urinary system diseases. Renal dysfunction may cause poisoning, e.g. with glycol or hypnotics. Antibiotics, painkillers and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs also have nephrotoxic effects. Infectious diseases (more often in women) are favored by improper hygiene of the perineal area, from where the microorganisms first move to the urinary system and then to the kidneys.

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Cancer changes

Kidney cancer may develop asymptomatically. The so-called the triad of symptoms - pain, hematuria and a tumor that is easy to feel with the fingers - occurs in 8-15% of patients. sick, but if they all appear at the same time, it is a very advanced stage of the disease. Other symptoms include: anemia, severe weight loss, increased temperature, night sweats, marked increase in blood pressure, increased ESR and muscle inflammation, which is characterized by significant muscle weakness. In 30 percent patients, when kidney cancer is detected, metastases to other organs are found.

Do you want to know if your kidneys are he althy?

Make a urine test - the simplest and cheapest. Here's what can bother you if you have urine in your urine:

  • Bacteria - their presence indicates that they are infected in one of the sections of the urinary system - urethra, bladder, renal pelvis or kidney, or about improper urine sample collection.
  • Protein - When it persists for a long time, it suggests kidney or urinary problems, but a small amount of protein may occur after a high fever or strenuous exercise.
  • Creatinine - with normal kidney function, its amount in urine is constant and depends on muscle mass. The reduction in the amount of creatinine excreted in the urine is most often the result of acute or chronic renal failure.
  • White blood cells (leukocytes, WBC) - their excessive excretion indicates acute or chronic bacterial urinary tract infection. It can also be a symptom of interstitial nephritis after taking medicines such as cephalosporins, sulphonamides,non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. More leukocytes enter the urine during intense physical exertion, high fever, dehydration, chronic circulatory failure and inflammatory changes in organs adjacent to the urinary tract.
  • Red blood cells (erythrocytes, RBC) - the presence of red blood cells that can be seen in the urine with the naked eye is called hematuria; it is usually the result of inflammation of the bladder. On the other hand, hematuria can be caused by damage to both the kidneys and other parts of the urinary tract, but this can only be determined in laboratory tests. The most common cause of hematuria is kidney stones, especially an attack of renal colic. However, blood in the urine also occurs when taking medications that contain heparin.
  • Uric acid - exceeding the norm indicates acute or chronic renal failure, it occurs after some diuretics, in poisoning with carbon monoxide, lead, in cancer. The decreased uric acid excretion is the result of a diet low in purines. These compounds are found in small amounts in chickens, beef, halibut, mushrooms, bread, groats, fruits, vegetables (e.g. asparagus), nuts.
  • Urea - increased content indicates a high-protein diet, dehydration or kidney failure.

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Category:

Urology and Nephrology