KIDNEY DISEASES
The kidney filters about 180 litres of blood in our body, helps dispose of toxic waste substances, regulates sodium and phosphorous, acid, calcium and vitamin D and secretes hormones. Kidney disease falls into two categories, genetic and non-genetic. Chro
With the advancement of technology, advantages are numerous but adverse effects have also surfaced, resulting in the devastation of natural resources and the environment.
Some categories of kidney disease can be attributed to a change of lifestyle with the advancement of technology.
Kidney disease of known and unknown etiology are among these disadvantages. The kidney is a small but important organ in our urinary system. Infection of this organ is the onset of kidney disease.
The kidney filters about 180 litres of blood in our body, helps dispose of toxic waste substances such as ammonia urea, regulates sodium and phosphorous, acid, calcium and vitamin D and secretes hormones and several other chemical substances. The kidney also helps keep the osmotic pressure of the body in balance.
The proper functioning of the kidneys is important to a sound health.
Kidney disease falls into two categories, genetic and non-genetic. Chronic kidney failure is the most prevalent in the genetic category. About 10 percent of the worlds’ aging population of males and females belong to this category.
Diabetes, hypertension and obesity are the complexities of chronic kidney disease of known causes. The function of the kidneys of a patient in this category gradually diminishes with age. It causes the excretion of more blood and protein with urine.
Diabetes, hypertension, the use of painkillers, urine infection and the injection of serpent venom into the body are the main causes of the disease.
The blood arteries and tender tissues of the kidneys tend to deteriorate and weaken.
However, this is a controllable condition among kidney diseases. Proper treatment by a doctor, regular check-ups, adherence to doctors’ advice, intake of appropriate amounts of liquid and solid food, a hygienic lifestyle, control of body weight, ensuring the control of blood sugar and pressure, avoidance of foods with excessive salt and fats and avoidance of alcohol, narcotics and painkillers are important for the control of the disease.
Acute kidney failure may cause the sudden death of a patient. Low blood supply to the kidneys, blockage in the urinary system, shrinkage of arteries, heavy bleeding, severe burns, dehydration, infections, certain drugs and severe allergies tend to reduce the excretion of urine. The prolonged existence of this condition will reduce the filtering function of kidneys, resulting in the deposit of waste substances and liquid imbalances in the body. Diabetes patients, those with heart and liver problems and aging people are the most vulnerable.
Sudden decrease in the excretion of urine, low appetite, inflation on legs and around eyes, fatigue and drowsiness are symptoms of the disease. The period of cure depends on the extent of the disease. Patients should avoid foods with excessive potassium, salt, milk and cheese.
Kidney diseases of unknown causes Prevalent across several provinces in Sri Lanka, this type of kidney disease has today become a health and environmental issue which has drawn attention on a national level. Definite causes have not yet been established with regard to this disease, which was first reported in 1990 from the North Central Province. Therefore it still continues to fall under the category of kidney disease of unknown causes. Patients have been reported from areas in the North, North West, East, Uva and Central provinces. The disease however, progresses slowly. Patients are found among hardworking people of both genders aged 40 to 60 among families engaged in agriculture and those living in plains. A special feature of the disease is the excessive excretion of protein.
Besides Sri Lanka, patients are largely found in Central American countries and in India.
Controlling measures are very important with respect to this disease, which develops in five stages. The peculiarity of this disease is that symptoms are only seen during the acute stage. There is no change in the size of kidneys at the initial stage but with its progression, the patient’s kidneys reduce in size. Although symptoms are not visible in most patients at the initial stage, they might be visible in other patients: fever and fatigue, pain in pancreas, back pain, urine problems, excretion of protein with urine, hypertension, anaemia, low functioning of kidneys and inflammation of the body.
Causes of the disease have not yet been confirmed. The amount of fluoride in the water and contamination with flore aluminum, the presence of cyono bacteria, use of agro-chemical in agriculture, genetic factors and dehydration are accepted causes. People who regularly work in the hot sun are often subjected to dehydration. Prolonged exposure to such harsh environments tends to increase iron concentration in the body resulting in the diminution of kidney function. The insufficient intake and poor quality of drinking water in these areas immensely contribute to the disease. The deposit of chemical substance derived from contaminated water in the body gives rise to many diseases. The misuse of chemical fertilizer in an unproductive manner too aggravates the spread of the disease.