Kidney disease is a condition that can easily go unnoticed until the symptoms become severe. There are a variety of nonspecific complaints that are often overlooked that are symptoms of kidney disease. When identified early on, patients can be protected against further impairment and deterioration of kidney function. The following symptoms are early warning signs that you might be developing kidney disease: swollen feet/ankles, puffiness around the eyes in the morning, less urine output, changes in the color of the urine, passing blood in urine, shortness of breath, frequent urination, poor appetite, dry, scaly skin, nausea, vomiting. Many of these symptoms are nonspecific and ignored by most at an early stage.

Kidney problems generally don’t cause symptoms until they’re more advanced so diagnosis can be a shock. A standard blood test that checks your blood for creatinine or urea, urine analysis to test for protein blood or abnormal cells in the urine. These are chemicals that leak into the blood or urine when the kidneys aren’t working properly. Ultrasounds and CT scans produce clear images of your kidneys and urinary tract. The pictures allow your doctor to see if your kidneys are too small or large. They can also show any tumors or structural problems that may be present. If needed kidney biopsy can be done to identify kidney disease further. During a kidney biopsy, your doctor will remove a small piece of tissue from your kidney while you’re sedated. The tissue sample can help your doctor determine the type of kidney disease you have and how much damage has occurred.

Testing for kidney disease is part of routine health checkups but mandatory every year for patients with diabetes, high blood pressure, obese, family member with kidney disease and anybody with heart or liver disease. Patients who develop repeated urinary tract infections and stone disease also require kidney function evaluation.

Chronic kidney disease

The most common form of kidney disease is chronic kidney disease. Chronic kidney disease is a long-term condition wherein kidney disfunction persists over long time that doesn’t improve over time. It’s commonly caused by diabetes and high blood pressure.

Diabetes is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease. The increased level of sugar in the blood damages the kidneys over time. Many times, it is asymptomatic. Diabetes can affect kidneys in 40-50% in people with more than ten years of diabetes duration. This means the kidneys can’t clean the blood properly. Kidney failure can occur when your body becomes overloaded with toxins.

High blood pressure is dangerous for the kidneys because it can increase the pressure on the glomeruli. Glomeruli are the tiny blood vessels in the kidneys where blood is cleaned. Over time, the increased pressure damages these vessels and kidney function begins to decline.

Kidney stones

Kidney stones are another common kidney problem. They occur when minerals and other substances in the blood crystallize in the kidneys, forming solid masses (stones). Kidney stones usually come out of the body during urination. Passing kidney stones can be extremely painful, but they rarely cause significant problems.

Glomerulonephritis

Glomerulonephritis is an inflammation of the glomeruli. Glomeruli are extremely small structures inside the kidneys that filter the blood. Glomerulonephritis can be caused by infections, drugs, or congenital abnormalities (disorders that occur during or shortly after birth). It often gets better on its own.

Polycystic kidney disease

Polycystic kidney disease is a genetic disorder that causes numerous cysts (small sacs of fluid) to grow in the kidneys. These cysts can interfere with kidney function and cause kidney failure. It’s important to note that individual simple kidney cysts are fairly common and almost always harmless. Polycystic kidney disease is a separate, more serious condition.

Urinary tract infections

Urinary tract infections are infections of any part of the urinary system. Infections in the bladder and urethra are the most common. They are easily treatable and rarely lead to more health problems. However, if left untreated, these infections can spread to the kidneys and cause kidney failure.

Treatment for kidney disease usually focuses on controlling the underlying cause of the disease. This means your doctor will help you better manage your blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels. They may use one or more of the following methods to treat kidney disease.

Drugs and medication

Your doctor may prescribe these medications to preserve kidney function and to slow the progression of kidney disease. Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may also prescribe drugs to relieve swelling, treat anemia (decrease in the number of red blood cells) and other metabolic problems. Specific treatment for identified kidney diseases may include steroids, immunosuppressive drugs, some biologic agents including polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies.

Dialysis and kidney disease

Dialysis is an artificial method of filtering the blood. It’s used when someone’s kidneys have failed or are close to failing. Many people with late-stage kidney disease must go on dialysis permanently or until a donor kidney is found. There are two types of dialysis: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.

Kidney transplantation

Kidney transplant is the treatment of choice for end stage kidney failure, compared with a lifetime on dialysis. A kidney transplant help you feel better and live longer. Compared with dialysis, kidney transplant is associated with better quality of life, lower risk of death, fewer dietary restrictions and lower treatment cost. Kidney transplant is a surgical procedure to place a healthy kidney from a living or deceased donor into a person whose kidneys no longer function properly

Lose any excess weight and exercise regularly (at least 150 minutes each week for the average adult).

Stop smoking.

Eat a healthy, animal protein restricted balanced diet.

Reduce the salt in your diet to help keep your blood pressure down and to reduce your kidney disease progression.

Take extra care to keep your blood pressure and blood sugar at normal levels if you have diabetes or high blood pressure.

Avoid over the counter drugs and alternative medicines

Drink water as advised by your doctor or dietitian. There's no evidence that drinking extra water or fluids will help if you have kidney disease rather it may be harmful

Although your kidney disease is unlikely to get worse or cause you serious day-to-day problems, kidney disease, even if it’s mild and stable, automatically puts you at higher-than-average risk of heart disease and stroke.

If you have kidney disease, you'll benefit even more than the general population from improving your lifestyle and looking after your heart.