Renal Diseases

The critical regulation of the body's salt, potassium, and acid content is performed by the kidneys. The kidneys also produce hormones that affect the function of other organs. 

The kidneys perform the following functions:

• Remove waste products from the body
• Remove drugs from the body
• Balance the body's fluids
• Release hormones that regulate blood pressure
• Produce an active form of Vitamin D that promote strong, healthy bones
• Control the production of red blood cells

Most kidney diseases attack the nephrons. This damage may leave kidneys unable to remove wastes. Causes can include genetic problems and injuries. You have a higher risk of kidney disease if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or a close family member with kidney disease.

Other causes of kidney failure:

• Loss of blood flow to the kidneys
• Inflammation of small blood vessels
• Blood clots in the or around the kidneys
• Urine elimination problems
• Overload of toxins from heavy metals
• Uncontrolled diabetes
• Cancer of the plasma cells in bone morrow
• Certain antibiotics
• Some dyes used in imaging tests

Protein and glucose (sugar) are supposed to be retained, not flushed out of the body in the urine. Running high blood sugar and high blood pressure can damage the kidneys. When small blood vessels in the kidneys become clogged, that starts to interfere with the filtering process. When the kidneys have almost stopped filtering waste out of the blood, you will have renal failure. At first, kidney damage may be seen by small amounts of protein, called albumin, in the urine, preventing waste and extra fluid from being removed. You will have Diabetic Neuropathy when kidneys damage becomes renal failure.

The more uncontrolled your blood sugar is the more likely you are to have bladder infections. Diabetes can damage nerves making it difficult to empty the bladder. Pressure that results from a full bladder can back up and injury the kidneys. When urine stays in the bladder too long, it can cause infections because bacteria grow rapidly in urine, especially if there is a high level of sugar in it. When you take care of your diabetes, you take care of your kidneys.

One way to evaluate kidney function is through measurement of serum creatinine. Creatinine is the end product of creatine metabolism, which the kidneys cleanse from the blood. Rising blood creatinine, which is alkaline composition of urine and blood, happens when the kidneys have trouble cleansing the blood. When the kidneys cannot cleanse the blood, toxins in the blood reach a critical level and you may require dialysis or a kidney transplant.

To help delay or possibly prevent kidney disease:

• Control your blood sugar
• Control your blood pressure
• Quickly treat any urinary tract infection
• Avoid medication that may damage the kidneys
• Exercise regularly
• Choose a healthy diet
• Control your weight
• Avoid drinking alcohol
• Have your kidneys checked once a year; more if you are on certain medications

Warning signs of kidney disease:

• Extremely high blood pressure
• Blood and/or protein in the urine
• A creatinine and blood urea  nitrogen (BUN) blood test, outside the normal range
• A glomerular filtration rate (GER) less than 60
• More frequent urination, particularly at night, difficult or painful urination
• Puffiness around eyes, swelling of hands and lower areas

How is kidney failure diagnosed?

• Urinalysis
• Urine volume measurement
• Blood samples
• Imaging
• Kidney tissue sample

If you are having kidney problems, large amounts of ptotein, sodium, and potassium are not healthy. You may be put on a low-sodium diet because salt makes you retain water and raises blood pressure..
Renal disease is usually irreversible when it reaches the last stages. Having diabetes doesn't necessarily mean you will have kidney disease, but you are at greater risk.