The kidneys are the organs that filter toxins from the blood and send it out of the body through the urinary tract. When kidney disease is present, the kidneys do not function as they should. Treatment is necessary to keep toxins from building up in the blood stream. Some common kidney diseases and their treatments are discussed below.
Kidney Cancer
Kidney cancer, which is sometimes referred to as renal cancer, occurs when a tumor starts growing in one of the kidneys. This causes symptoms like blood in the urine, pain, fever, weight loss, or fatigue. Imaging and blood tests are used to determine the location and size of the tumor, and a biopsy may be performed to decide whether or not the tumor is cancerous.
Surgical removal of all or part of the kidney that is infected with the tumor is the most common treatment for kidney cancer. The goal of kidney cancer treatment is to remove the cancer before it has the chance to spread out of the kidney. While the symptoms of kidney cancer can point to other less serious conditions, patients experiencing any of them should see a physician right away, because early action is the key to successful treatment of this form of cancer.
Polycystic Kidney Disease
Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a genetic disorder that causes cysts to grow on the kidneys. Without treatment, these cysts replace the kidney tissue, which can lead to loss of kidney function and kidney failure. High blood pressure, anemia, protein in the urine, and hematuria are all signs of PKD, and most cases are found during childhood. There is no cure for PKC, but treatments are available to ease symptoms and prolong the life of the kidneys.
Kidney Infections
Kidney infections develop from a urinary tract infection that is left untreated and travels up to the kidneys. Because these infections can cause permanent kidney damage, they need to be treated quickly. Symptoms of a kidney infection include back and side pain, frequent need to urinate, retention, cloudy urine that smell strong, burning or pain when urinating, and a persistent urge to urinate. An infection often comes with a high fever. Kidney infections are typically treated with antibiotics.
Diabetic Kidney Disease
When a diabetic patient has high glucose levels, that glucose stays in the bloodstream where it can act as a poison and damage the kidney. Close monitoring of glucose levels can help prevent these problems. When diabetic kidney disease is present, medications such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers can be used to slow its progression.
