Causes of Kidney Disease

 Causes of Kidney Disease

Several ailments may cause kidney disorders. These include infection, degenerative changes, chronic diseases (e.g., diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disorders such as atherosclerosis, hypertension), medications, toxic metal consumption, cysts, renal stones or trauma. Surgery, burns and poisons are some traumas, which may cause kidney damage.

Obesity increases the risk of renal disease. Habitual intake of high protein diet may increase the work of kidneys and cause damage. Reducing weight, decreasing protein intake to normal level can decrease the risk of kidney disease.

The most common cause of renal failure is diabetic nephropathy. Some antibiotics and pain medications may cause renal disease. The normal function of the nephrons, the working unit of kidneys may be upset by the above ailments..

Inflammation and Degeneration. The membranes and small blood vessels in the nephrons may get inflamed for a short time due to infection and thus lead to acute glomerulonephritis. In case entire nephron or nephron sections are affected, the normal function is hindered and nephrotic syndrome occurs. If not controlled at this stage, the lesions may affect more and more nephrons resulting in chronic renal failure. Any disturbance in kidney function impairs metabolism of proteins, electrolytes and water. Thus nutritional balance is impaired.

Other Diseases Damage Kidney Function. Any disorder in circulation, which results in degeneration of small renal arteries, disturbs normal nephron function. For example, poorly controlled. hypertension is a disorder of circulation: uncontrolled type II diabetes can also damage small renal arteries resulting in glomerulosclerosis. In this condition, there is a loss of functioning nephrons. If not controlled, it may lead to chronic renal failure.

Chemical Damage. Environmental agents such as pesticides, solvents, etc. may cause kidneyd amage. Animal venom, certain plants and drugs may also damage kidney tissue. Infection and Obstruction. Bacterial infection in urinary tract may cause mild discomfort, which can be alleviated by medication, if treated promptly. If not treated, it may cause more involved chronic disease.

 Kidney stones may block drainage and may cause further infection and tissue damage. Diet therapy in renal disease is based on the nature of the disease and individual response.

Any disease that affects the function of the glomerulus or tubule disturbs the body's ability to utilise food and can cause havoc.

Glomerulonephritis

Nephritis is a general term used to indicate inflammation of the kidneys. When capillaries in glomeruli are inflamed, it is called glomerulonephritis. An acute form of glomerulonephritis often follows a streptococcal infection of the respiratory tract, tonsillitis, pneumonia or scarlet fever. It occurs mostly in children and young adults. If the infection is very mild, it may not be detected and treated, resulting in permanent damage to the system, which may be detected after many years. The symptoms include nausea, vomiting, fever, rise in blood pressure, albumin (proteinuria) and small amounts of blood in the urine (hemanuria) and edema. Usually recovery is complete.

Diet Therapy: When there is nausea and vomiting in the acute stage, sweetened fruit juices,sweetened tea, ginger-lemon sherbet, high carbohydrate, low electrolyte supplements are given. These help to reduce tissue breakdown. Fluid intake is monitored in proportion to the urine output.

As soon as the patient is able to eat, a diet to maintain weight containing sufficient calories is given. If urine volume is decreased (as in oliguria) fluid is limited. Protein is also restricted to 40g. The proteins included must be of high biological value. Sodium is limited to 1g/day. 

Chronic Glomerulonephritis

It can either be an untreated acute glomerulonephritis or an immunological cause of unknown origin. In the early stages, abnormal urine analysis results such as protein, red and white blood cells are observed in the urine. As the ailment advances, the patient may suffer from tiredness, edema, increase in blood pressure and blurred vision. As the kidneys cannot concentrate urine, there is frequent urination and need to urinate often in the night, thus disturbing sleep. If not checked by treatment, it can lead to chronic renal failure.

Diet Modification: The diet must be planned to suit the patient's kidney capacity.

Normal intake of protein is planned when kidneys are able to excrete wastes. If proteins are excreted in the urine, the protein losses must be covered appropriate increase in the  of proteins of high biological value.

When the blood urea nitrogen rises with the worsening of kidney function, the protein in the diet must be reduced to 30-40 g or less. At the same time, the energy intake through carbohydrate and fat must be enough to prevent tissue breakdown.

If there is edema, sodium intake needs to be restricted. Due to poor reabsorption of the nutrients, loss of iron can lead to anemia. Hence iron supplements are needed.