Treatment in the comfort of your own home
The Kidneys
What are kidneys?
These are two bean shaped organs, about the size of your fist. They are found either side of your spine in the back of the body.
What do kidneys do?
Their primary function is to remove harmful waste from the blood by making urine.
They also help balance chemicals in the blood such as sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphates.
A further function they perform is to produce hormones that control your blood pressure, red blood cell formation and bone formation.
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
This is when your kidneys decrease their ability to keep you healthy, and their function is reduced or stopped all together.
When this happens the waste build-up in your body can make you feel sick. You could develop complications such as high blood pressure, anemia and weakening of bones.
Early detection and treatment can often keep chronic kidney disease from getting worse. If kidney disease progresses, it could lead to kidney failure and the need for dialysis or a kidney transplant.
What are kidneys?
These are two bean shaped organs, about the size of your fist. They are found either side of your spine in the back of the body.
Causes of kidney failure:
Autoimmune diseases - Such as Lupus and Berger's disease
Diabetes
Stress - High blood pressure, caused by stress, can have damaging effects on the body.
Urinary tract problems - Constant or severe infections should be addressed as soon as possible.
Genetic diseases - These are diseases you are born with, such as Polycystic Kidney Disease.
Nephrotic syndrome - A kidney disorder that causes your body to pass too much protein in your urine.
Acute kidney injury / Acute renal failure - Heart attack, illegal drug use, not enough blood flowing to the kidneys, organ shut down due to shock.
General signs & symptoms of CKD
- Itching
- Muscle cramps
- Nausea and vomiting
- Lack of hunger
- Swelling of feet and ankles
- Breathlessness
- Trouble sleeping
- Too much urine, or too little urine
Acute kidney failure signs & symptoms
- Abdominal pain
- Back pain
- Fever
- Rash
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting