"Nephros" - from the Greek "kidneys". A nephrologist's focus is on kidney health, diagnosing abnormalities in their functioning, and treating diseases that do not require surgical intervention.
Reasons for urgently contacting a nephrologist
Kidney diseases have a number of symptoms that only a specialist can understand. Pathology in the functioning of the kidneys, as a rule, manifests itself systemically. In addition to obvious symptoms of diseases of the urinary system (lower back pain, blood in the urine, etc.), weakness, nausea, increased temperature and blood pressure, and other manifestations may occur.
Characteristic signs of kidney disease:
- aching pain in the lower back and back;
- renal colic (acute lower back pain);
- swelling;
- urinary disorders (frequent urination or lack thereof - anuria);
- change in urine color (blood, cloudiness, stones, sand, etc.).
An examination by a specialist will help find the cause of the ailment. In our clinic, consultations are conducted by nephrologists, candidates of science with extensive clinical experience.
Kidney diseases often cause disability. At the same time, most complications could be avoided by consulting a nephrologist in time.
Treatment of kidneys with a high effect is possible only in the early stages of the disease; in the later stages, this is already a struggle to prolong life.
We treat:
Causes of kidney disease
Kidney damage can be caused by various factors: intoxication, hypothermia, various types of infections, acute hypertensive crises, etc. There are also congenital causes.
Kidney health is, without exaggeration, a vital factor. Therefore, it is necessary to regularly consult a nephrologist not only if kidney dysfunction is detected, but also for preventive purposes.
At the MedikCity clinic you can undergo a full kidney examination, including consultations with specialists, laboratory and instrumental diagnostic methods.
If the examination results reveal kidney pathology, the nephrologist will prescribe a treatment regimen for you.
A course of infusion therapy and efferent therapy can be carried out in the comfortable conditions of the temporary ward of our clinic.
Source: https://www.mediccity.ru/directions/338
Nephrologist: what diseases does he treat?
A nephrologist is a doctor whose responsibilities include diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of kidney diseases. If you experience pain in the lower back or kidneys, or problems urinating, you should immediately make an appointment with a nephrologist. To ensure that kidney problems never arise, it is recommended to undergo a preventive examination by a specialist at least once a year.
Diseases treated by a nephrologist
A nephrologist treats a large number of acute or chronic kidney diseases, but mainly treats the following diseases:
- kidney stones;
- pyelonephritis;
- organ damage caused by medications;
- renal failure;
- kidney amyloidosis;
- polycystic kidney disease;
- nephritis;
- glomerulonephritis;
- various nephropathies;
- post-transplant syndrome;
- systemic pathologies affecting the kidneys.
There are some other diseases with which people seek help from a nephrologist:
- kidney tumor;
- tuberculosis;
- large stones;
- abnormal structure or incorrect localization of a paired organ.
But a nephrologist does not have the competence to treat these diseases, even though they are related to the kidneys.
These pathologies require surgical intervention, so with such problems you need to contact a urologist, who will diagnose and select the appropriate surgical treatment.
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Preparing before going to the nephrologist
At your first appointment with a nephrologist, you need to bring a medical card and the results of a general urine and blood test. It is recommended to remember previous illnesses before the consultation. Talk about the medications you have taken recently. Since the kidneys affect blood pressure, you need to take blood pressure measurements and record the readings before seeing a doctor.
Preparing for a visit to a nephrologist consists of the following points:
- 12 hours before your scheduled appointment, you should not eat;
- It is prohibited to smoke and drink alcohol 12 hours before visiting the doctor;
- Drink a small amount of liquid in the evening;
- Stop taking medications the day before, if possible.
Women should remember how pregnancy and childbirth went, whether there were any complications or problems. Preparation before going to the nephrologist is a stage on which the accuracy of the diagnosis depends; do not neglect the rules.
Toxicologist: when to contact this doctor
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Nephrologist treatment methods
At the first appointment, the specialist questions the patient about the presence of complaints, collects the patient’s medical history, and considers the likelihood of a genetic predisposition to kidney disease. Then an examination is carried out, after which the nephrologist prescribes tests, in particular various urine tests.
Based on the test results, the doctor may, if necessary, refer the patient for additional examinations, such as kidney ultrasound or retrograde pyelography.
The nephrologist selects the treatment method based on the stage of development of the disease, the presence of ailments, and the individual characteristics of the patient. But therapy for kidney disease can have 2 directions: nephroprotective treatment, used for any kidney disease, or specialized treatment aimed at getting rid of the problem.
Renal pathologies are treated with a combination treatment method, which includes taking medications:
- antispasmodics: No-Shpa, Papaverine;
- painkillers: Diclofenac, Ibuprofen;
- antiseptics;
- antibiotics;
- anti-inflammatory, antifungal drugs;
- glucocorticosteroids.
More often, the doctor prescribes diuretics that help fluid leave the body, and medications that dissolve and remove kidney stones. Regardless of the disease, the selection of medications and their dosage should be carried out by a qualified nephrologist.
Many medications are not compatible with each other, and self-medication can aggravate the condition. In addition to taking medications, you will need to follow a diet, and your doctor may also recommend folk remedies.
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When to consult a nephrologist?
Kidney diseases, especially in the initial stages of development, are asymptomatic, which makes diagnosing the disease difficult. In order not to start a pathological process that can lead to complications, it is necessary to take a urine test. Thanks to this, problems can be detected at an early stage. Contact a nephrologist immediately if symptoms appear:
- persistent hypertension;
- intense pain in the lower back, which only increases;
- change in the color or smell of urine;
- hematuria and renal colic;
- painful urination;
- swelling of the body during pregnancy;
- protein impurities in the urine;
- complete absence of urine;
- a significant increase in the amount of urine or its decrease.
If symptoms occur, you need to quickly see a nephrologist. This should be done especially if, along with all the symptoms, there is hyperthermia.
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Pediatric nephrologist. What is the treatment for children?
A pediatric nephrologist is a doctor who diagnoses, treats, and prevents kidney diseases in children of all ages and corrects abnormalities of the renal apparatus while the baby is in the womb.
Neuropathologist (neurologist): what diseases he treats
It is necessary to make an appointment with a pediatric nephrologist if your child has symptoms:
- swelling in any form;
- frequent urination, accompanied by pain;
- severe redness of the genitals;
- severe pain in the lower back, lower abdomen;
- change in smell, color of urine;
- admixture of blood, protein, mucus in urine;
- a significant increase or decrease in the excreted portion of urine;
- bedwetting in a child over 4 years old.
It is not easy to suspect kidney problems in young children; they cannot say what is bothering them. Therefore, parents should be vigilant and pay attention to the baby’s condition.
If he cries during urination, is irritable, and the color and smell of urine has changed, then you need to contact a nephrologist. A pediatric nephrologist is able to diagnose and treat diseases:
- jades;
- familial nephropathies;
- urolithiasis;
- renal failure;
- enuresis;
- kidney dysplasia;
- abnormal structure of the organs of the urinary system.
You can learn more about pediatric nephrology: diagnosis, treatment and prevention of kidney diseases from the video:
Therapy for kidney diseases in a child is selected individually, taking into account many factors. If the pathology is inflammatory in nature, then the nephrologist prescribes a course of antibiotics. A dietary menu and a program of preventive measures are being drawn up.
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What does a urologist-nephrologist specialize in? How is it different from a vertebrologist?
A nephrologist is a highly specialized doctor who treats kidney diseases using conservative methods. If kidney disease requires surgical intervention, then the problem is dealt with by a urologist - a doctor with a broad specialization who studies pathologies of the genitourinary system.
In hospitals there is no such specialist as a nephrologist, and his duties are performed by a urologist-nephrologist. If you don’t know which doctor to see, then the first step is to go to a therapist, who will decide what to do.
Lower back pain, which is one of the common signs of kidney disease, may also indicate a back disease, which a doctor such as a vertebrologist will help you cope with. A vertebrologist is a doctor of narrow specialization, a separate branch of orthopedics, who treats spinal pathologies.
The similarity between a vertebrologist and a nephrologist is that he also solves problems non-surgically. This specialist will do everything in his power to avoid surgery while still getting rid of your back problems.
Source: https://vrachibolezni.ru/vrachi/nefrolog/
What is a nephrologist and what does he treat?
A nephrologist is a doctor who diagnoses and treats various kidney diseases. But for some reason, not everyone knows this important specialist. But the kidneys are a vital organ, without which a person simply cannot exist.
What exactly does a nephrologist treat?
Nowadays, there are many diseases associated with kidney disease, and a nephrologist deals with their treatment and examination. Common diseases include:
- Pyelonephritis, chronic and acute, is an inflammatory disease of the kidneys when the pyelocaliceal system is damaged.
- Nephritis is a general name for any inflammatory process in the kidneys.
- Lupus nephritis is kidney damage caused by systemic lupus erythematosus.
- Primary and secondary glomerulonephritis is an immune-inflammatory disease with predominant damage to the glomeruli located in the kidney tissue.
- Polycystic kidney disease is a cystic lesion of the kidney parenchyma.
- Renal amyloidosis is the deposition of amyloid in the kidneys, consisting of proteins and saccharides.
- Urolithiasis, caused by the deposition of stones in the kidneys, ureter and bladder. Often their formation is affected by nutrition, lack of vitamins, dehydration, injury and bone diseases.
- Kidney failure is when all or part of the kidneys lose the ability to produce and excrete urine. With the active increase in drugs with nephropathic effects, kidney complications associated with the use of drugs have become more frequent. Drugs such as aminoglycoside antibiotics, sulfonamides, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, sulfonamides have an effect.
- Urinary tract infections. Often their development is affected by diabetes mellitus, kidney cysts, immunodeficiency, multiple sclerosis, etc.
- Vascular nephropathy is damage to the renal vessels, causing total or partial ischemia of the renal tissue.
- Urate nephropathy is kidney damage caused by the deposition of crystals of uric acid salts in the lumens of the tubules or interstitium.
When to go to a nephrologist?
Often kidney diseases go away without pain until the disease becomes severe, which is difficult to treat.
And therefore, it is important, as soon as you notice deviations, to contact a specialist and get diagnosed as quickly as possible.
If the patient already had kidney-related diseases, then he should regularly visit a nephrologist, take the tests that are required and listen to all the doctor’s recommendations.
- If you have persistent swelling, but pregnant women often experience this and are not always associated with kidney disease.
- Pain when urinating is a clear sign that some kind of disorder or inflammation has occurred in the kidneys.
- If urination has completely stopped or, in other words, anuria has set in, then you should simply consult a nephrologist as soon as possible. And then the likelihood that everything will work out without consequences will be much higher.
- Or, on the contrary, urine output has increased for no reason - this is called polyuria. This may be due to high fluid intake or kidney diseases such as polycystic kidney disease, hydronephrosis, renal failure and others.
- Changes appeared in the urine: blood, cloudiness. Sometimes the cause of cloudy urine is dehydration. Try drinking more fluids and monitor the results. If it has no effect, then make an appointment with a nephrologist and take a general urine test.
- The urine began to smell sharp and unpleasant. This often happens when diseases arise that are associated with infection in the genitourinary system: cystitis, pyelonephritis and urethritis. Typically, these diseases are accompanied by pain when urinating, cloudy urine, and sometimes pain in the lumbar region and lower abdomen.
- Lower back pain that only gets worse over time. This condition can be triggered by inflammatory processes in the kidneys, such as lomerulonephritis or pyelonephritis. It is also possible that urolithiasis of the kidneys has arisen, the symptom of which will be renal colic.
- Unreasonable rise in temperature. This symptom is also a concern for inflammatory kidney diseases – pyelonephritis or glomerulonephritis.
Important: If even one symptom appears, you should immediately consult a nephrologist and undergo a full diagnosis!
What tests will need to be taken before visiting a nephrologist?
- Blood for biochemistry.
- Culture of urine for flora.
- Daily diuresis.
- Urinalysis according to Nechiporenko.
What does a pediatric nephrologist treat?
A healthy child who does not experience kidney problems is first checked by a pediatric nephrologist for his homeostasis at different ages. And if in the future the child develops disorders associated with the genitourinary system, then the doctor prescribes diagnostics and further treatment.
The main diseases of children treated by a nephrologist include:
- Pediatric pyelonephritis.
- Pediatric glomerulonephritis.
- Urolithiasis disease.
- Nephropathy.
- Kidney malformations.
- Tubulopathy. This is a congenital or acquired pathology of the tubular functions of the kidneys.
- Acute kidney inflammation.
When should a child be seen by a nephrologist?
An adult can easily determine what exactly is bothering him, but it is much more difficult to obtain accurate information from a child, and one has only to find out through observation what is bothering him and who to turn to for help. If you notice in your child:
- Frequent urination.
- Pain in the lower back and lower abdomen.
- Complaints of pain when urinating.
- A sharp and causeless increase in temperature.
- Change in urine color and smell.
- Abnormalities in urine tests.
Do not delay in visiting a nephrologist if at least one of these symptoms appears in your child!
Source: https://pochkam.ru/lechenie/nefrolog-chto-lechit.html
Nephrologist - when to contact. Advice from a nephrologist
A nephrologist is a specialized doctor whose competence includes the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of kidney diseases. He specializes in acute or chronic diseases, selects diet and drug treatment for patients with dysfunction of the urinary system.
The qualifications of a nephrologist extend to the following organs: kidneys, urethra, ureters, bladder.
Any disorders of these organs are dealt with by a specialist, but sometimes disruption of their functioning is a symptom of another (more complex) disease, so additional consultation with another specialized specialist is required.
Diseases that a nephrologist specializes in
A nephrologist treats diseases associated with dysfunction of the urinary and kidney organs. These include:
- Formation of kidney stones.
- Glomerulonephritis (pathological damage to the renal glomeruli).
- Hypertension in combination with renal failure.
- Nephritis.
- Pyelonephritis.
- Kidney damage due to medications.
- Amyloidosis of the kidneys.
- Kidney tuberculosis.
- Kidney failure.
- Tumor diseases of the kidneys.
- Infectious diseases of the urinary tract.
In what cases should you contact a nephrologist?
Many diseases of the kidneys and urinary system can occur without symptoms, so it is extremely difficult to detect the presence of pathology and undergo timely treatment. Often diseases are discovered during an exacerbation or in the event of complications. The most common signs of disease development that require consultation with a nephrologist include:
- Anuria is a complete cessation of urination in a patient.
- Oliguria is a patient’s condition in which there is a reduction in urination.
- Polyuria is a physiological condition characterized by a significant increase in the amount of fluid excreted (urine).
- Pain in the lumbar region, which can be constant or intermittent.
- Hematuria is the presence of blood cells in the patient’s urine.
- Proteinuria is the detection of protein in the urine.
- Swelling of the lower extremities.
- Change in urine color, unusual odor or mucus.
Diagnostic methods used by a nephrologist
An appointment with a nephrologist begins with a thorough examination and questioning of the patient, during which the presence of symptoms, the nature of the pain, and the general condition of the patient are clarified.
Analyzing the results, the nephrologist determines the final diagnosis and prescribes the optimal treatment. Diagnostic methods used by a nephrologist:
- Ultrasound examination of the kidneys.
- Electrocardiogram.
- X-ray of the kidneys.
- Internal urography.
- Chromocytoscopy.
- Kidney scan.
- Carrying out a biopsy if a tumor is detected.
- Retrograde pyelography.
- Pneumoperitoneum.
- Radioisotope radiography.
Laboratory tests for diagnosis:
- Carrying out a biochemical blood test to determine urea, uric acid and creatinine.
- Daily urine analysis.
- Examination of urine for flora.
- Analysis for cholesterol, chlorides, triglycerides, electrolytes.
- General urine and blood tests.
- Analysis according to Nechiporenko.
- Monitoring blood pressure and monitoring its dynamics.
Advice from a nephrologist
In order to prevent the development of diseases of the urinary system and kidneys, you should follow the recommendations of a nephrologist:
- Limit salt intake to avoid fluid retention in the body, which causes edema and increased blood pressure. The daily dose cannot exceed 12 grams, for people with kidney disease - a maximum of 7 grams.
- Reduce the amount of fried, salty foods and canned food in your diet. The majority of food intake should be dairy products.
- Limit your intake of large amounts of protein, the maximum amount is 300 grams.
- Monitor the dynamics of blood pressure; in case of fluctuations or significant increases, you should consult a doctor.
Source: https://24doctor.info/speciality/nefrolog/
Nephrologist
A nephrologist is a specialist involved in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of kidney diseases. A pediatric nephrologist deals with kidney diseases in children. Also, the competence of a pediatric nephrologist includes the treatment of congenital anomalies of kidney development.
As a rule, patients come to see a nephrologist after they detect changes in tests - a high level of protein in the urine or blood cells, etc.
A nephrologist provides outpatient treatment of chronic and acute kidney diseases, as well as active drug prevention. Depending on the disease, the nephrologist selects individual dietary nutrition for the patient and monitors compliance with his regimen. In particular, this is very important for patients with metabolic disorders and reduced renal function.
The organs that a nephrologist deals with include the bladder, ureters, urethra, and kidneys.
What does a nephrologist treat?
- Kidney failure;
- Vascular nephropathies, kidney damage due to systemic vasculitis;
- Acute and chronic pyelonephritis and glomerulonephritis;
- Kidney amyloidosis;
- Urate, diabetic nephropathy;
- Kidney damage due to drugs;
- Urolithiasis disease;
- Chronic interstitial nephritis;
- Secondary glomerulonephritis and lupus nephritis in patients with other systemic connective tissue diseases.
What does a pediatric nephrologist treat?
First of all, a pediatric nephrologist studies homeostasis and its renal regulation in a healthy child at different ages, as well as disturbances of homeostasis caused by diseases of the genitourinary system that arise during human development. What does a nephrologist treat in children? These diseases include:
- Kidney dysplasia;
- Pediatric pyelonephritis and glomerulonephritis;
- Familial nephropathies;
- Tubulopathies;
- Hemolytic-uremic syndrome;
- Anatomical abnormalities of the urinary system organs;
- Dysmetabolic nephropathy, including urolithiasis;
- Nephritis with hemorrhagic vasculitis.
When should you make an appointment with a nephrologist?
You must make an appointment with a nephrologist if the following symptoms of nephrological diseases occur:
- Renal colic;
- Kidney failure;
- Polyuria;
- Anuria;
- Presence of tumors;
- Acute kidney inflammation syndrome;
- Arterial hypertension;
- Presence of protein or blood in the urine;
- Oliguria.
When is it necessary to visit a pediatric nephrologist?
You should consult a nephrologist in the following cases:
- The child complains of pain when urinating;
- Abnormalities in urine tests;
- urinating too frequently;
- When ultrasound diagnostics of the bladder and kidneys reveal abnormalities.
What tests will the neurologist require?
The nephrologist has the right to require the patient to undergo the following tests necessary to clarify the diagnosis:
- Biochemical blood test to determine the level of uric acid, creatinine and urea;
- Triglycerides;
- Cholesterol;
- Culture of urine for flora;
- Research on Nechiporenko;
- Electrolytes;
- Daily diuresis;
- Samples of Zimnitsky and Reberg;
- Blood pressure dynamics.
The pediatric nephrologist may additionally require:
- Chromocystoscopy;
- Study of the functional capacity of the kidneys;
- Analysis of discharge from the urethra (ejaculate, prostate secretion).
What types of diagnostics does a nephrologist perform?
- Kidney biopsy and scan;
- Intravenous urography;
- ECG;
- Retrograde pyelography;
- Pneumoperitoneum;
- Ultrasound;
- Plain radiography of the kidneys;
- Radioisotope radiography.
Advice from a nephrologist
Below are nutritional tips from a nephrologist for people with kidney problems:
- Limit your salt intake, as salt causes thirst and promotes fluid retention in the body. This leads to increased blood pressure and swelling. For people with kidney disease, the daily salt intake is no more than 7 g;
- To reduce the concentration of phosphorus and potassium in the body, it is necessary to exclude all fried foods, dried fruits, canned food and vegetables from the diet. Reduce the amount of fruit you consume (except pears and apples), as well as dairy products;
- The daily protein intake should not exceed 300 g. It is preferable to eat steamed poultry and lamb;
- Fish, legumes containing large amounts of protein and rich broths should be excluded from the diet;
- The diet must include porridge, pasta, jelly, olive oil and honey. You can drink coffee in small quantities;
- Blood pressure should be measured several times a day. Please note that not all blood pressure medications can be used for kidney disease, so consult a nephrologist before using them;
- Every three months you should visit a nephrologist and have blood and urine tests.
Advice from a pediatric nephrologist
It is very important to identify the pathology in a child in time and begin appropriate treatment. This will help avoid many serious complications. To this end, parents should:
- Closely monitor the child’s condition and note possible symptoms of the disease;
- Do not allow the child to become hypothermic;
- Do not neglect preventive examinations with a pediatrician;
- Breastfeed your child for as long as possible, as this protects the child from intestinal dysbiosis, which means that fewer pathogenic microbes enter the body;
- If a child's body temperature rises in the absence of other cold symptoms, it is necessary to urgently call a doctor.
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Source: https://www.neboleem.net/nefrolog.php
Nephrologist consultation
A nephrologist is a doctor who diagnoses, treats, and prevents kidney disease. Typically, patients come for a consultation with a nephrologist after tests have detected: high levels of protein in the urine or cells in the blood, lower back pain, cessation or reduction of urination. A nephrologist diagnoses and prescribes treatment for chronic and acute kidney diseases, as well as drug prevention of diseases. A special diet is also prescribed; it is especially important for patients with metabolic disorders and reduced kidney function. The competence of a nephrologist includes such organs as: bladder, ureters, urethra, kidneys.
What diseases does a nephrologist treat?
- Urolithiasis disease;
- Kidney failure;
- glomerulonephritis (immune damage to the glomeruli occurs);
- hypertension in combination with renal pathology;
- nephritis;
- pyelonephritis (infectious and inflammatory process);
- drug-induced kidney damage (develops when taking certain medications);
- Kidney amyloidosis (a disease in which the metabolic process is disrupted, causing the formation of a substance such as amyloid, which leads to organ damage).
When is it necessary to consult a nephrologist?
Some kidney diseases can occur without specific symptoms and manifest themselves in acute or mild forms, which can lead to the development of complications of the disease.
Symptoms that require specialist consultation:
- anuria – complete cessation of urination;
- oliguria – reduction in urination;
- polyuria – increased volume of urine excreted; pain in the lumbar region;
- hematuria – the appearance of blood in the urine;
- proteinuria – the appearance of protein in the urine.
Consultation and observation with a nephrologist is necessary for already identified diseases or emerging conditions:
- renal colic;
- renal failure;
- kidney inflammation;
- presence of urinary infections.
If you have high blood pressure, this may indicate chronic kidney disease. In this case, it is recommended to consult a nephrologist to rule out this type of disease.
How is a consultation with a nephrologist carried out?
The nephrologist surveys the patient for complaints and lifestyle features. A general examination of the patient is also carried out. The necessary tests and examinations are prescribed, on the basis of which the doctor makes a diagnosis and prescribes treatment.
Based on these tests, additional examination may be prescribed:
- Kidney biopsy (to obtain a tissue diagnosis of the disease);
- X-ray of the kidneys (if vascular damage is suspected);
- Ultrasound (abdominal cavity, kidney area);
- Computed tomography of the kidneys;
- Magnetic resonance imaging of the kidneys;
- Scintigraphy (radionuclide examination method);
- Excretory urography.
Preparing to see a nephrologist
To prepare for an appointment with a nephrologist, you must follow some rules:
- Avoid eating 12 hours before your appointment;
- Avoid drinking alcohol and smoking 12 hours before your appointment;
- also avoid taking large volumes of liquid on the eve of the consultation;
- If there is a need to take any medications the day before the consultation, you must inform the doctor about this at the appointment.
Source: http://yourdoctorclinic.ru/articles/nefrologiya/konsultatsiya-nefrologa/
The first symptoms of kidney problems that should not be ignored
Symptoms of kidney disease are expressed by a number of signs, and it is not always possible to predict their sequence. These organs ensure the process of releasing a number of harmful substances from the body and ensure its normal functioning.
Video version of the article: https://youtu.be/_KLwEPmSbAk
Causes
The following factors can cause damage to kidney tissue:
- bacterial or viral infection;
- benign and malignant neoplasms;
- metabolic disease;
- autoimmune lesions;
- abnormalities of intrauterine development;
- stone formation;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- bad habits.
According to statistics, kidney pathologies are observed among 3.5% of the population. In most cases, these diseases are observed among women, and this fact is explained by the characteristic structure of the female genitourinary organs.
The most commonly observed kidney pathologies are:
- hydronephrosis;
- pyelonephritis;
- glomerulonephritis;
- urolithiasis disease;
- renal failure;
- kidney cysts and other neoplasms.
11 Symptoms of Kidney Problems You Shouldn't Ignore
Lower back pain may be a sign of kidney disease.
Kidney disease may include the following signs and symptoms:
- Signs of general intoxication (severe weakness, fever, headaches ) . Such symptoms are most often observed with inflammation of the kidney tissue (pyelonephritis or glomerulonephritis).
- The appearance of edema . This symptom is provoked by incomplete removal of fluid and is more often observed in the morning. In obesity, swelling is more pronounced. In this case, the tissue in the area of edema becomes loose and white.
- Pain of a one- or two-sided nature in the lumbar region . They can be aching or cutting, and if stones are present and move, they become intense and are localized on the left and/or right side of the abdomen. The pain can radiate to the upper thigh, groin or pubis and causes excruciating sensations for the patient. Chronic inflammatory processes in the kidneys in most cases are not accompanied by painful sensations. More often they are observed in acute inflammatory reactions, neoplasms or kidney tuberculosis.
Severe pain is present with paranephritis, blockage of the ureter with decomposed masses of kidney tissue, infarction of the renal veins or apostematous nephritis. In this case, blood clots or pus may be detected in the urine.
Sometimes lower back pain occurs when the patient is standing and disappears in a horizontal position. In such cases, they require a detailed clarification of the diagnosis about the possible prolapse of one of the kidneys.
- Blood in urine . Urine resembles the color of meat slop and becomes more intensely colored with intense exercise. This symptom may be associated with the development of chronic pyelonephritis, kidney injury, kidney tumor, or stones in the pelvis.
- Cloudy urine . This symptom is observed with inflammatory or necrotic kidney damage. The urine becomes cloudy and foam may form on its surface. It may contain pus or a cloudy sediment. Such symptoms are characteristic of hemolysis, tumor or abscess of the kidney.
- Disturbances in the outflow of urine . Urine may be released in a sluggish stream or drops. The patient may experience a frequent urge to urinate, which is accompanied by pain or cramping in the lower abdomen.
- Change in the volume of urine excreted . With oliguria, the amount of urine decreases by 500 ml. This symptom can be caused by glomerulonephritis and other kidney pathologies. A reduction in urine volume to 50 ml per day may indicate poisoning, the development of renal colic, drug poisoning and other pathologies. Sometimes kidney pathologies are accompanied by nocturia (urination at night).
- Acute urinary retention . This symptom is more often observed with the development of prostate adenoma, but may be a sign of urolithiasis, bladder tumor, narrowing of the urethra or ureter.
- Thirst or dry mouth . This symptom can be provoked by a violation of the removal of fluid from the body.
- Increased blood pressure . Circulatory disorders in kidney diseases lead to increased blood pressure. As a rule, diastolic (lower) pressure increases. Patients do not experience intense headaches and, in rare cases, hypertensive crises are observed.
A prolonged increase in blood pressure, which is difficult to reduce with antihypertensive drugs, may indicate pathology of the renal arteries.
- Changes in the nervous system . In the initial stages of inflammation of the kidney tissue, intoxication processes can lead to the development of nervous excitement, which causes loss of consciousness, involuntary urination, tongue biting, a state of lethargy and drowsiness.
Such conditions can be observed with nephrotic syndrome, which is provoked by various renal and other pathologies associated with metabolic disorders.
Symptoms of kidney damage can vary in severity and combinatoriality. To determine an accurate diagnosis, the patient must consult a nephrologist or urologist and undergo a course of examination.
A comprehensive examination may include the following procedures:
- urine and blood tests;
- Ultrasound of the urinary organs;
- analysis of biochemical blood parameters;
- TORCH infection tests;
- tests for immunological disorders;
- excretory urography;
- MRI of the kidneys;
- Kidney CT;
- radiological studies.
After analyzing all the data obtained, the patient must undergo a course of treatment prescribed by the doctor. It may include therapeutic and surgical techniques aimed at stabilizing kidney function.
This article will help you suspect kidney disease in time and take the necessary measures to treat it. To do this, you will need to contact your local physician or make an appointment with a nephrologist or urologist. Remember this!
Source: https://zen.yandex.ru/media/id/5a294b285a104f22356138b9/5a29a1f7fd96b14d6e02718d
Signs of kidney disease :: Nephrology Expert Council
Nephrologist says
Unfortunately, with many serious diseases, the kidneys do not hurt and, accordingly, they do not call a doctor, and they do not interfere with living for pleasure. Therefore, a huge number of nephrology patients find out that they have kidney problems many years after they began.
How can you tell if a person has kidney disease? After all, a person does not feel protein in the urine (proteinuria), a small amount of blood (microhematuria) or leukocytes and casts in the urine. And people often get used to high blood pressure quickly.
And it turns out that more than 500 million people around the world, i.e. approximately every tenth adult inhabitant of our planet lives with various kidney diseases and learns about it only when complications develop.
A large proportion of these people eventually develop kidney failure, meaning treatment with hemodialysis or other methods of renal replacement therapy. These people have a much greater risk than those without kidney disease of heart attacks and strokes, severe anemia and bone problems.
This happens because the kidneys, in addition to cleansing the body of toxic products, are also involved in blood formation and the metabolism of vitamin D, and are responsible for maintaining the chemical constancy of the internal environment.
To understand whether a person has kidney problems, it is enough to do just a few routine tests: a general urine test, a general blood test, a biochemical analysis “from a vein” (creatinine, urea, uric acid) and an ultrasound examination of the kidneys and urinary tract, available almost everywhere .
It is important to measure your blood pressure at least occasionally, especially if you are feeling unwell, and record the results. Increased blood pressure, especially at a young age, may indicate kidney disease. The appearance of edema may also indicate kidney disease.
Their appearance can be suspected if suddenly all the shoes become too small, deep marks remain from the rings or elastic bands of the socks, and when you press on the shin, distinct dents remain in the area of the tibia.
True, there are conditions when the kidneys really hurt. These are kidney stones, pyelonephritis, paranephritis, sometimes nephroptosis and kidney cysts. But for their treatment, you also need to decide on a number of indicators in order to avoid complications and unreasonable prescriptions.
There are a lot of kidney diseases, many of them develop as a result of diseases that seem to have nothing to do with the kidneys: arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, infectious and rheumatic diseases, the use of toxic substances and certain medications, etc.
The most important thing that we strive for in the treatment of any kidney disease is to prevent the onset of renal failure, when the kidneys cannot cope with their functions and it is necessary to carry out renal replacement therapy: hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis and kidney transplantation.
A nephrologist treats kidney diseases.
He is guided by the first data and prescribes an appropriate examination, determines the diagnosis, selects a special, “renal” diet that is different for various diseases and prescribes treatment.
Moreover, with a properly structured diet and selected therapy, the onset of kidney failure can be delayed by decades, or even prevented altogether.
Signs of kidney disease may include:
- increased blood pressure
- changes when urinating: foamy urine, blood in the urine, increased or decreased volume of urine (compared to normal urine output), having to get up at night to urinate.
- Fatigue – lack of energy and feelings of overwhelming tiredness may be associated with kidney disease.
- swelling in the arms and/or legs. Diseased kidneys do not remove excess fluid that accumulates in the body.
- Itchy skin - toxins that accumulate in the blood can cause very severe itching.
- lower back pain. This pain does not get worse with movement.
You can contact NES departments for advice.
Source: https://nefrosovet.ru/ru/main/to-patients/symptoms-kidney-disease.html
Kidney diseases: types of diseases, diagnosis, treatment and prevention
- The kidneys are one of the most important organs in the human body, as they ensure normalization of blood pressure, removal of waste and toxins, as well as control of blood elements.
- Constantly experiencing stress, they are exposed to various pathologies.
- Often, kidney disease, which is treated by urologists and nephrologists, occurs when:
- Hypothermia
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Infections
- Lack of rest
- Disturbances in the work of other organs
- Bladder fullness and even weight loss
Such pathologies cannot be ignored! If you notice the first signs, you should contact a specialist.
Doctors at MEDSI clinics will conduct an examination and, having quickly made a diagnosis, prescribe treatment that takes into account the stage of the pathology and the patient’s condition.
The first signs of kidney disease
As a rule, kidney diseases initially signal themselves with general discomfort and mild chills. Because of such symptoms, kidney pathologies are often confused with the common cold. However, many patients manage to help themselves on their own.
“Experienced patients” who have already encountered kidney diseases warm their feet, drink hot tea and go to bed. The symptoms may indeed subside, but this does not mean that the disease itself has receded.
Often just resting and warming up your feet is not enough. The disease will progress and require more serious treatment. Therefore, you cannot ignore the symptoms, and self-medication is simply dangerous!
Symptoms of kidney disease in men and women
The main symptoms of kidney disease include:
- Difficulty urinating
- Frequent urge (mainly at night)
- Increased body temperature and blood pressure
- Swelling of the lower extremities
- Puffiness of the face
- The appearance of blood in the urine
Patients also complain of discomfort and pain concentrated in the area of the projection of the kidneys (to the left and right of the lower back).
Women most often suffer from infectious kidney diseases . Their symptoms are more pronounced and appear 40-48 hours after the infection enters the body. For representatives of the fair sex, the main symptom of pathology is often pain, which can be either aching and dull, or quite acute.
Painful urination also becomes an unpleasant symptom. With some pathologies, even a delay in menstruation is possible. Women often complain of swelling of the legs and face, which is especially pronounced in the morning, immediately after sleep.
Men usually do not pay attention to unexpressed symptoms and go to the clinic only with severe pain, cloudy urine and a serious increase in temperature. The main complaints also include dry mouth, drowsiness and peeling skin.
Kidney diseases in women and men
Kidney diseases in men
The most common diseases include:
- Urolithiasis
- Nephroptosis
- Kidney failure
- Pyelonephritis
- Hydronephrosis
Men also suffer from urinary obstruction and renal colic. Often, pathologies are quite dangerous and rapidly progressing. This is due to the fact that men often start the disease and turn to doctors quite late.
Kidney diseases in women
Women, as a rule, monitor their health more closely, but are more vulnerable to kidney pathologies. To trigger the disease mechanism, a simple cold and the resulting weakening of the immune system are often sufficient.
Frequently occurring diseases are:
- Cystitis
- Urethritis
- Urolithiasis disease
Cystitis and urethritis very often provoke simple hypothermia.
Diet for kidney disease
For any kidney disease, patients are required to be prescribed dietary nutrition. Its basis is the presence of carbohydrates and the limitation of fats and proteins. Particular attention is paid to products with minimal salt content.
Patients are recommended:
- Eat small portions and often enough
- Drink no more than 1.5 liters of liquid
- Give up alcoholic drinks
Proper nutrition during illness allows you not only to reduce the severity of symptoms , but also to recover faster.
Should be excluded:
- Broths based on meat, fish and mushrooms
- Legumes
- Fat meat
- Pickles and marinades
- Chocolate
- Spices, seasonings and hot sauces
The diet should include:
- Low-fat dairy products
- Raw and steamed vegetables
- Bread
- Butter and olive oil
- Dried fruits
- Steamed lean meat
- Natural juices
- Vegetable broths
- Berries
- Honey
- Eggs (no more than 2-3 per day)
- Cereals and pasta
Treatment
Kidney disease: treatment with conservative methods
Treatment of kidney diseases is always carried out comprehensively. Pharmaceutical drugs are combined with various procedures and proper nutrition. Particular attention is paid to herbal medicine. For kidney disease, patients are prescribed special teas, decoctions and infusions.
Important! Without medicines, herbal medicine is ineffective!
For minor inflammations, medications are prescribed that improve urination processes and relieve spasms. If small stones and sand are found, products that dissolve them are recommended. Special medications are also prescribed to relieve pain symptoms.
In some cases, specialized fees are recommended. With long-term use, kidney function significantly improves and the urinary tract is cleaned.
Important! Folk remedies are ineffective for serious pathologies. In some cases, they may even harm the patient rather than benefit them.
Any treatment should be prescribed only by a doctor after a comprehensive diagnosis. During therapy, the patient's condition is constantly monitored. This allows you to monitor the effectiveness of certain drugs and, if necessary, replace them or change the dosage.
- Kidney disease: treatment with surgical methods
- If conservative therapy does not give the desired result, surgical treatment is resorted to.
- The main ways are:
- Nephrostomy. This operation is aimed at restoring the flow of urine and eliminates pain and avoids the occurrence of an infectious process.
- Stenting is aimed at normalizing the patency of the urinary tract
- Nephrotomy is aimed at removing the kidney or part of it
Chronic kidney disease
Chronic kidney disease is a dangerous phenomenon with a complex course that develops over 3 or more months and occurs when an organ is damaged or its function is reduced. This pathology requires not only constant treatment, but also regular visits to the urologist, as well as strict adherence to a number of recommendations.
Chronic kidney diseases occur only if acute forms of the disease are not treated in a timely manner. Concomitant pathologies also lead to aggravation of the patient’s condition, including:
- Diabetes
- Chronic infectious processes
- Obesity, etc.
The chronic disease is characterized by increased blood pressure, anemia (decreased hemoglobin in the blood), decreased levels of sodium and calcium with increased levels of potassium and magnesium in the blood. To make an accurate diagnosis, you need to conduct a comprehensive examination.
Prevention
Prevention allows you to improve kidney function and maintain their health for many years.
Preventive measures include:
- Activity
- Mandatory consumption of fresh fruits, berries and vegetables, dairy and seafood
- Visiting the sauna. “Dry” heat is the key to healthy kidneys, as it ensures their filtration function and enhances the supply of organs with blood and nutrients
- Drinking enough fresh, clean water (at least 1.5-2 liters per day)
For kidney health, it is important to give up strong tea and coffee, replacing them with herbal tea or mineral drinking water.
Advantages of treating kidney diseases at MEDSI
- A full range of services in the field of diagnosis and treatment of kidney diseases
- Availability of everything necessary for quickly performing informative laboratory and instrumental studies
- Use of classical and modern treatment methods
- Active collaboration of nephrologists and urologists with internists, cardiologists and endocrinologists
- A complex approach
- Efficient and fast diagnostics
- Reducing discomfort
- Getting the desired result even in advanced cases
- Loyal pricing policy that allows patients with different income levels to contact us
Source: https://medsi.ru/articles/zabolevaniya-pochek/