Posted on March 5, 2012, Monday

KUALA LUMPUR: According to human physiology, kidneys function to remove toxins and excess water from the blood, apart from helping to maintain blood pressure, produce red blood cells and keep the bones healthy.

However, kidneys can be damaged by diabetes, high blood pressure (hypertension), infection and inflammation, as well as stones and cysts in the organs.

Other causes of damage have been attributed to prolonged use of pain killers and consumption of alcohol.

If kidney damage becomes too severe, the organ will lose its ability to function normally. This is known as end-stage kidney (renal) disease (ESRD), or simply kidney failure.

Nephrologists have identified diabetes and hypertension as the leading causes of ESRD, accounting for more than 60 per cent of new cases of dialysis patients in Malaysia.

According to the National Kidney Foundation (NKF), there are three types of kidney failure acute, chronic and end-stage. Acute kidney failure is usually temporary and is reversible.

However, sometimes this type of kidney failure may not respond to treatment and may progress to chronic kidney failure or end-stage kidney failure, says a nephrologist.

When the loss of kidney functions is gradual and progressive, it is known as chronic kidney failure.

Eventually, the kidneys are unable to remove wastes or maintain the bodys salt and fluid balance, resulting in the need to receive dialysis treatment.

Read the original post:
Protein in urine — a sign of kidney damage