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Patient Education

  • The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs located on either side of the spine, just below the rib cage. They are part of the urinary system and perform several essential functions in the body.

  • The kidneys are vital organs responsible for maintaining the body's fluid balance, filtering waste products from the blood, regulating electrolyte levels, producing urine and regulation of blood pressure.

  • Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a long-term condition in which the kidneys gradually lose their ability to function properly. It is a progressive and irreversible condition that can lead to kidney failure if not managed appropriately.

    CKD is categorised into different stages based on the level of kidney function, with stage 1 being the mildest and stage 5 representing kidney failure.

  • Diabetes is the leading cause of CKD. High levels of blood sugar over time can damage the small blood vessels in the kidneys, impairing their ability to filter waste and toxins effectively.

     

    Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

    Uncontrolled or poorly managed high blood pressure can damage the blood vessels in the kidneys, reducing their ability to function properly.

     
    Glomerulonephritis

    This refers to inflammation of the kidney's filtering units, called glomeruli. Glomerulonephritis can be caused by infections, immune system disorders, or other conditions.

     

    Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)

    PKD is an inherited condition characterised by the growth of fluid-filled cysts in the kidneys. These cysts can gradually replace healthy kidney tissue, leading to CKD.

     

    Some common signs and symptoms include:

    Fatigue and weakness

    Swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet (edema)

    Increased or decreased urine output

    Blood in the urine

    Foamy or bubbly urine

    Frequent urination, especially at night

    Persistent itching

    Muscle cramps

    Loss of appetite and unintentional weight loss

    Difficulty concentrating and mental fog

    Sleep disturbances

    High blood pressure

  • End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), also known as End Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD), is the final and most severe stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD) where the kidneys have lost almost all of their function.

    In ESRD, the kidneys are no longer able to perform their vital functions of filtering waste products and excess fluid from the blood effectively.

    ESRD is characterised by a significant and permanent reduction in kidney function, usually below 10-15% of normal capacity. At this stage, the kidneys are unable to maintain the body's internal balance of fluids, electrolytes, and waste products, requiring medical intervention to replace their function.

  • Dialysis

    Dialysis is a procedure that artificially removes waste products, excess fluid, and toxins from the blood when the kidneys are no longer able to do so.

    There are two main types of dialysis: Haemodialysis (HD), which uses a machine to filter the blood, and Peritoneal Dialysis (PD), which uses the lining of the abdomen to filter the blood. 

    Please see Our Services for more information regarding these treatment options.

     

    Kidney Transplantation

    Kidney transplantation involves surgically replacing the failed kidneys with a healthy kidney from a living or deceased donor. A successful kidney transplant can restore kidney function and eliminate the need for dialysis. However, transplantation requires careful matching and lifelong immunosuppressive medications to prevent organ rejection.

The Information on this page is adapted with Written Permission from Renal Health Services Limited.

Reference: https://www.renalhealthservices.org/kidney-basics

These materials may not be reproduced, distributed, modified or reposted to other websites without the express written permission of Renal Health Services Limited.

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