Kidneys remove waste products from the body, keep body chemicals in balance, and help maintain the body’s water balance. There are a number of different renal (kidney) problems that may occur. The kidneys may be damaged by exposure to drugs or toxins, including heavy metals, solvents, chemotherapy agents, snake or insect venom, poisonous mushrooms, and pesticides. Renal failure can also accompany or result from many other disorders, such as congestive heart failure, diabetes, chronic hypertension, liver disease, lupus, and sickle-cell anaemia.
Bright’s disease is a kidney disease marked by the presence of blood protein in the urine, along with hypertension and oedema (retention of water in the tissues).
Glomerulonephritis is an inflammation of tiny blood vessels within the kidney that filter out wastes from the blood. This may occur as a result of an immunological response to infection such as a Streptococcus throat infection. Pyelonephritis is a kidney infection that may be caused by a birth defect. Both glomerulonephritis and pyelonephritis can be chronic, or acute, and can be serious.
Hydronephrosis is a condition in which the kidney and the renal pelvis (the structure into which urine is discharged from the kidney) become filled with urine due to an obstruction of urinary flow.
Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) is an inherited disease in which cysts grow on the kidneys, rendering them incapable of functioning.
Kidney stones are mineral accumulations (primarily calcium) in the kidneys.
In Renal Tubular Acidosis, the kidneys fail to reabsorb bicarbonate normally, causing impaired ammonia production and acid excretion. Severe acidosis, potassium depletion, and bone disorders may result.
Nephrotic Syndrome is not a disease in itself, but can be a sign of kidney disease. It is marked by oedema and excess protein in the urine. It can be caused by lesions of glomeruli (small structures in the kidney made of capillaries) that become inflamed, or by chronic diseases such as diabetes or lupus.
One important symptom of kidney problems is oedema. Oedema results when the kidneys produce less urine because they are unable to properly excrete salt and other wastes, and fluid builds up in the body. Ankles and hands may swell, and the person becomes short of breath. Toxic wastes may accumulate in the bloodstream due to kidney malfunction, a condition known as Uraemia. Symptom of kidney problems include:
· Abdominal pain
· Appetite loss
· Back pain
· Chills
· Fever
· Fluid retention (bloating)
· Nausea
· Urinary urgency
· Vomiting
The urine may be cloudy or bloody. Back pain may be sudden and intense, occurring just above the waist and running down the groin.
Our treatment, as well as dietary advice, aids in controlling urinary tract infections and helps maintain proper kidney function especially for those previously diagnosed with abnormal levels of Uric Acid, Urea, and Creatinine, or undergoing dialysis.