What Causes Chronic Kidney Disease?

Kidney being one of the most vital organs in our body is a reprocessing machine. It filters the blood and sends the waste from our body in the form of urine. And it is very important for this waste to be processed and rightly thrown out of the body This bean shaped organs have over one million filtering units called neutrons. Any abnormalities in their function can cause harm the kidney.

Today we particularly would like to discuss Chronic Kidney Disease. (CKD).

What is Chronic Kidney Disease?

The slow progressively loss of functions of the kidney over a period is called Chronic Kidney Disease. It is also known by the name Chronic Renal Disease. This disease is like a slow poison growing gradually and if undetected or undiagnosed earlier then ends in Kidney Failure.

Kidney

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What Causes Chronic Kidney Disease?

• Existing Kidney Ailment

  CKD as it is called mostly arises due to an already existing Kidney ailment.

• Diabetes

  Diabetes is one major cause. In diabetes it if we see the Type 1 and Type 2 Mellitus which causes a condition called Diabetic Nephropathy is one of the main reasons of kidney ailment. If a patient is suffering from Diabetes and it is not in control, then the excess sugar which is accumulated in the blood can damage the golmerulus.

  

  Glomerulus

  Photo by : wikimedia

• Obesity

  Directly related to Type 2 diabetes is Obesity. Hence obesity can be reasons for one to have Chronic Kidney Disease.

• Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

  This is another major cause and reason for kidney diseases. Blood pressure if not controlled can really harm the kidney over a period of time.

• Aging

  Age is a very important factor and it is observed that CKD is most common among those above 60 years of age.

• Chronic Glomerulonephritis

  A disease when a part of the kidney that does the filtering of waste and fluids from the blood is damaged. In some cases caused by low immunity, though the real cause is unknown.

  

  Fibromuscular Dysplasia

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• Inherited  PKD

  PKD which is an inherited disease can be a cause for Chronic Kidney Diseases and the patient can suffer from multiple cysts in both the kidneys. Since we can inherit

  Kidney disease, a family history of kidney disease can be a reason.

• Atherosclerosis

  Hardening or clogging of the arteries also known as atherosclerosis which leads to the kidney causes a condition known as ischemic nephropathy which again is a cause for Chronic Kidney disease.

• Obstructed Urine Flow

  Enlarged prostrate or difficulty or obstruction in the urine flow by stones or any type of kidney cancer is a reason for kidney disease. I f the urine flow is obstructed it cause too much pressure on the kidney and functions of kidney will be hampered thus causing prostrate, kidney stone, tumour.

• Drug over use

  Over usage of certain kind of drug that harms or damages the kidney is again a reason for kidney ailment. For example analgesics such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) if used regularly over for a long time causes analgesic nephropathy which in turn leads to kidney ailments. Regular use of anti-inflammatory medications also can be a cause for CKD.

• Heart Ailments

  Heart diseases or high cholesterol, liver disease can be reasons and stand at risk to suffer from chronic kidney disease.

• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

  This disease is an auto immune disease which kills the immunity of one body through foreign bodies and harm and attack the organs like the kidney.

• Exposure to Toxins

  Exposure to certain toxins like carbon tetrachloride, fuels, lead which are used in paints, pipes, or certain type of jewellery, soldering materials can cause CKD.

• At Birth

  The kidneys have not been properly formed or developed when the fetus was in the womb could lead to CKD once the baby is born.

• Other Diseases

  Other diseases like HIV, HIV infection, kidney stones, amyloidosis chronic kidney infections, sickle cell disease and certain cancers do lead to Chronic Kidney Disease.

• Vascular Diseases

  Vascular disease such as arthritis, vasculitis, or fibromuscular dysplasia.

• Vesicoureteral Reflux

  A urinary tract problem in which urine travels the wrong way back toward the kidney.

• Malaria or Yellow Fever

  Any previous attack of Malaria and Yellow fever can be a reason or cause of CKD.

• Drug Abuse

  Use of cocaine and heroin. If you or someone you know has substance abuse problems, you might want to consider a cocaine detox or rehab program.

• Injury

  Any kind of physical injury or a blow or being hit in the abdomen which can seriously damage the kidney.

  With control on our diabetes, high blood pressure, intake of salt, need to get more of vitamin D, proper diet can at least minimise the adversity of the disease. Avoiding alcohol, drugs, exposure to toxic metals, chemicals and fuels. To be conscious of Physical fitness. Let’s all be aware of these and feel the need to have a healthy kidney for a healthy you.

  

  Hemodialysismachine

  Photo by : wikimedia

  Any disease or infection of the kidney needs to be examined and get treated before it affects the kidney severely and damage it causing Kidney failure. We are very familiar with the saying “Prevention is better than cure”. We definitely cannot have control on sickness or rather may not always realise which illness has come upon us unless and until we show signs and symptoms of the disease, but we can sure keep a check on our lifestyle and our food habits, hygiene and health fitness. Healthy life is the answer to all our problems.