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20.10.2014 Health & Fitness

Your Kidney And Problems Associated With It (1)

By Alhaji Alhasan Abdulai
Your Kidney And Problems Associated With It 1
20.10.2014 LISTEN

One small part of the human body that is so important but at risk of getting troubled is kidney. Unlike the past many people today are diagnosed with symptoms of kidney diseases. It is therefore important for everyone to know what kidney is, how kidney diseases look like and how to stay clear from through the food we eat and other things we do. Below are series of articles that are meant to open our eyes and minds on kidney.

Our sources are authentic yet we are open to interactions from people who wish to know more about the disease and those wishing to add on to our knowledge. Since our series of articles are interactive we shall begin with questions and answers;

Are your kidneys healthy?
People can have kidney disease without being aware of it. There are often no symptoms until the disease is quite advanced.

Research has shown that some people are at higher risk of developing kidney disease and should have their kidney function checked even if they feel well.

Take this test to find out if you should have your kidney function checked

Who's at risk of kidney disease?
In many cases, the cause of chronic kidney disease isn't clear, but it's more common in people who have:

• diabetes
• high blood pressure
• vascular disease (narrowing of the kidney's blood vessels)

• heart problems
• a history of other types of kidney problems, such as kidney infections and kidney stones

Kidney problems

Kidney problems are common. And the number of people with serious kidney problems, such as kidney disease and kidney cancer, is increasing.

Who's at risk of kidney disease?
In many cases, the cause of chronic kidney disease isn't clear, but it's more common in people who have:

• diabetes
• high blood pressure
• vascular disease (narrowing of the kidney's blood vessels)

• heart problems
• a history of other types of kidney problems, such as kidney infections and kidney stones

Kidneys are vital organs that remove excess water and cleanse the blood of toxins. When the kidneys fail, waste products and fluid buildup in the body, making you feel unwell, gain weight, become breathless and get swollen hands and feet.

The kidneys also produce hormones that help to control blood pressure, boost the production of red blood cells and help keep bones healthy. This means that if kidney damage is severe it can lead to high blood pressure, anaemia and bone disease.

What can go wrong with the kidneys?
The four main kidney complaints are:
• kidney infections
• kidney stones
• kidney cancer
• kidney disease
Kidney infections
These usually happen when bacteria in the bladder travel up to the kidneys. They can cause pain in the lower back and when passing urine, blood in the urine, cloudy and smelly urine, and fever. Kidney infections are more common in women. They can usually be cleared up with a course of antibiotic tablets.

Kidney stones
Kidney stones are lumps of crystals that can develop in one or both kidneys. They vary from the size of a grain of sand to a golf ball. Small ones generally pass out with the urine. Although they don't cause any serious problems, this can be very painful, especially for men. Bigger stones can get stuck in the kidney or block the ureter (the tube from the kidneys to the bladder). This causes intense pain in the back or side of your abdomen, which may spread into the groin.

Kidney cancer
Cases of kidney cancer account for around 2-3% of all adult cancers. It's steadily increasing in the UK, possibly due to the rise in obesity. Men are almost twice as likely to be affected as women.

Kidney disease
Kidney disease (also known as chronic kidney disease) is a term used by doctors to include any abnormality of the kidneys, even if there is only very slight damage. 'Chronic' simply means a condition that does not get completely better.

Most people with kidney disease have a mild form of the disease. However, kidney disease still puts them at a higher risk of cardiovascular problems, such as heart disease and stroke.

A small but significant number of people with kidney disease develop life-threatening kidney failure, requiring treatment with dialysis or a kidney transplant. As with kidney cancer, kidney disease is on the increase in the UK, probably because of the rise in diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity.

Executive Director
EANFOWORLD FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
P.O.BOX 17070AN 233244370345/23326370345/ 233208844791

[email protected] /[email protected]

2014-10-20 1223092014-10-20 122309

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