Types
At its core,
kidney disease relates to the organs’ inability to clear the blood of toxins.
“There are a lot of ways – specific diseases – to get to that place, but it
will usually entail some decline in glomerular function,” says Dr. Brad Rovin,
a nephrologist and
director of the division of nephrology at The Ohio State University Wexner
Medical Center. The glomeruli are tiny filters in the kidneys that
remove waste from the body. If they aren’t working optimally or are somehow
blocked from doing their job, that can result in a buildup of waste and fluid
in the body that makes you sick.
The most
common kidney disease is chronic kidney disease.
Chronic Kidney
Disease
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases reports that chronic kidney disease “means your kidneys are damaged and can’t filter blood the way they should.” Chronic kidney disease – a progressive type of kidney problem that gets worse over time – is the most common type of kidney disease. It affects about 30 million Americans, according to the American Kidney Fund. Though it’s progressive and incurable, it can be managed. It’s important to seek care if you're at risk of developing this condition or think you may have symptoms. Early intervention can slow the progression of the disease and help preserve your own kidney function longer.
Other Types of
Kidney Disease
In addition to
chronic kidney disease, there are several other types
of kidney disease that can be either chronic or
acute. A few of the more common among these are:
- Glomerulonephritis. This
kidney disease develops when the glomeruli, those tiny filters that remove
waste from the body, become inflamed
or damaged and no longer function properly. The chronic
version of this disease was once called Bright’s disease. Acute forms of
the disease can develop from a strep
infection that’s not been treated properly or from other
infections.
- Autoimmune-disease-related kidney disease. Certain autoimmune diseases such as lupus
or rheumatoid
arthritis, cause the immune system to attack the body’s own
cells. When this process affects the kidneys, it can lead to reduced
kidney function. This process can be acute or chronic and is often treated
using steroids or other immunosuppressant medications that get the immune
system to stop attacking the body’s cells.
- Polycystic kidney disease. This inherited disorder leads to the development
of fluid-filled cysts all over the kidneys, causing the organs to grow too
large and lose function. It’s a progressive, incurable disease, but can be
managed with a growing number of medications.
- Kidney
cancer. As
with any other part of the body, genetic mutations in cells of the kidney
can give rise to cancerous tumors. Kidney cancer is among the 10 most
prevalent types of cancer in the U.S. The American Cancer Society
estimates that 73,820 new cases of kidney cancer will be diagnosed in 2019
and about 14,770 people will die from the disease. It’s more common among
people aged 45 and older. It can be treated with a range of interventions
including surgery, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy.
Rare
Kidney Diseases
The AKF
reports that some rare diseases can also cause problems in the kidney. There
are quite a few of these rare diseases, but a few include:
- Alport syndrome. This
genetic disease is caused by problems with three genes that control how
certain body parts are shaped. It causes the kidneys, eyes, and eyes to
grow abnormally. As such, hearing loss, vision loss, and kidney disease can
result. Blood in the urine is often the first sign of the disease.
- Goodpasture syndrome. Also
known as anti-glomerular basement membrane disease, Goodpasture syndrome
is a rare autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks a membrane
in the kidneys and lungs, causing bleeding from the lungs and kidney
failure. The disease can progress very quickly but can be managed with
steroids and other immunosuppressant medications that stop the immune
system from attacking the body’s tissues.
- Wegener’s granulomatosis. Also called granulomatosis with polyangiitis, this rare disease causes inflammation of blood vessels in the nose, sinuses, throat, lungs, and kidneys. It’s a type of vasculitis that slows blood flow to the kidneys. Discharge from the nose, nosebleed, and sinus infections along with fever and blood in the urine could signal this rare disease. The disease tends to worsen very quickly, but it can be treated with medications.
Kidney
Stones, Infection, and Injury
In addition
to diseases that rob the kidneys of their function, injury and infection can
also cause problems. Some of the more common issues that can affect your
kidneys include:
- Kidney
stones. Hard
deposits of minerals and salts can develop in the kidneys, resulting in
stones. They may not cause any symptoms while they’re forming, but if they
move or pass into the tube that connects the kidney to the bladder, they
can become excruciatingly
painful and lead to infection. You may require medical
care to safely pass these stones, especially if they become lodged in the
urinary tract on their way out of the body. If you get kidney
stones frequently, talk to your doctor about ways to
reduce their formation, such as drinking more water and changing your
diet. Having frequent kidney stones could also increase your risk of
developing chronic kidney disease later.
- Kidney infections. Urinary
tract infections that are not properly treated can move up
the urinary tract system and into the kidneys. Once there, the infection
can result in damage to the kidneys. Symptoms include fever and abdominal
pain, an intense and frequent need to urinate, blood in the urine, and
nausea or vomiting. These infections can be treated with antibiotics but
may require hospitalization. If you have a UTI and it’s not getting better
or your symptoms worsen, visit your doctor. A severe kidney infection can
be life-threatening.
