Types of Kidney Diseases—- Maintaining good health

There are many types of kidney diseases In my last post, chronic kidney disease was discussed https://healthandwellnessforboomers.com/chronic-kidney-disease-maintining-good-health

In this post, I would like to discuss two of the more common kidney diseases that can affect us, Lupus Nephritis and Kidney stones. Some of us become worried and stressed out when we get a diagnosis of kidney disease. But not everyone that is diagnosed with kidney disease will need dialysis or a kidney transplant.

If you are diagnosed with kidney disease you can still continue to live a fairly normal life, you can be productive be physically active, work, spend quality time with family and friends.

Your diet may have to be changed, such as eating less animal protein and add some healthy lifestyle habits to your daily activities

The first of these diseases we are looking at is lupus nephritis

What is Lupus nephritis

Lupus is an autoimmune disease. There is no cure for lupus, therefore, it is a lifelong disorder. With this disease the Immune cells attack the body’s healthy tissues this leads to inflammation and tissue and organ damage

Lupus may only show symptoms to the skin but usually leads to more serious damage internally and joints pain

Joint and muscle pain in the wrist, hands, fingers, and knees are usually the first signs of lupus, these symptoms are simultaneously felt on both sides of the body.

The joints may look inflamed and feel warm to the touch. But unlike rheumatoid arthritis, lupus usually does not cause permanent joint damaged

The rash is Another symptom of lupus rash may develop across the face from the cheeks and across the nose bridge in the shape of a butterfly, a sensitivity to the sun, scaly rash on various part of the body and in some cases mouth sores.

Falling off nails is another occurrence that may happen due to lupus the fingernails may become discolored with red or blue spots at the base of the nail this is a result of inflamed small blood vessels, swelling may also occur around the base of the nail giving them a puffy look the nails may actually fall off.

Some people with lupus may experience some fatigue sometimes so severe that they are hindered from daily activities there is also a likelihood of patients running a low-grade fever.

The symptoms of lupus usually occur during a flare-up of the disease, Patients may go through periods where their hair falls out in patches or becomes thinner all across the scalp. Once the flare-up is over, new hair is likely to grow back.

Raynaud phenomenon can also develop in lupus patients. This symptom causes the fingers, and toes to become numb, painful and tingly sensation in response to cold temperatures or emotional stress.

During an attack, the small blood vessels spasm and restrict blood flow to the area the fingers and toes may also turn blue or white.

People can also have Raynaud’s without having lupus or any serious health complications.

Lupus can have the appearance of rheumatoid arthritis or fibromyalgia which causes joint pain and swelling in the case of RA and fatigue and pain in fibromyalgia. The one symptom that set lupus apart is the skin rashes along with the joint pain and fatigue.

Who can get lupus? get lupus

Lupus is more common among women than men and it often occurs during the childbearing years of the women. Lupus is also more common among certain ethnic groups

It is well noted that African Americans and Asian Americans are more susceptible to getting lupus than Caucasians women, one out of every 250 African American women will develop Lupus

Treatment for lupus nephritis

Lupus Nephritis is not curable but is usually treated with medicines that suppress the immune system activity that the disease will stop attacking the kidneys’, Anti Inflammatory medication like Corticosteroids reduces the inflammation.

Because these drugs are strong they can cause serious side effects and must be monitored carefully These drugs are usually prescribed until the condition is improved

Immunosuppressive drugs, these drugs are similar to those that are given to cancer patients or to patients who have had an organ transplant and are given to prevent rejection of the transplanted organ this medication work by suppressing immune system activity that damage the kidneys’.

Medications are also given to lower blood pressure if needed or to prevent blood clots.

Lifestyle changes for lupus nephritis

There are certain things we can do to control the symptoms of the disease and help protect the kidneys’

• Drink more fluids, drink enough to stay well hydrated
• Have a low sodium diet
• Do not smoke and drinking of alcohol
• Exercise regularly
• Limit cholesterol
• Keep away from medications that can affect the kidneys’ ex, NSAID Lower potassium, phosphorus, and animal protein from your diet.
• Control blood pressure within a healthy range.
• Lupus nephritis is a serious disease that can lead to kidney failure but most people who receive treatment are usually fine and  lead normal lives and do not have kidney failure

Kidney Stones

Kidney stones or renal lithiasis nephrolithiasis are a hard mass formed in the kidneys, typically consisting of insoluble calcium mineral and salts compounds from inside the kidneys; The stones can be like a grain of sand or a kernel of corn

Kidney stones can affect any part of your urinary tract — from your kidneys to your bladder. Often, stones usually form when the urine becomes concentrated not enough liquid, allowing minerals to crystallize and stick together.

Passing kidney stones are usually very painful, but there is usually no permanent damage with the passing of the stones.

Patients with kidney stones are usually given pain medication and drink lots of  fluids to flush the kidneys, In some cases the stones may become lodge in the urinary tract in this case surgery may be needed

Symptoms of Kidney Stones

There could be no symptoms of the presence of kidney stones until the stones start moving and pass into the ureter (the tube connecting the kidney and bladder) At that time symptoms will begin to be noticed.

Some or all of these symptoms will be experienced. ( list by Mayo Clinic)

• Severe pain in the side and back, below the ribs
• Pain that radiates to the lower abdomen and groin
• Pain that comes in waves and fluctuates in intensity
• Pain on urination
• Pink, red or brown urine (blood in the urine)
• Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
• Nausea and vomiting
• Persistent need to urinate
• Urinating more often than usual
• Fever and chills if an infection is present
• Urinating small amounts

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:

• Pain so severe that you can’t sit still or find a comfortable position
• Pain accompanied by nausea and vomiting
• Pain accompanied by fever and chills
• Blood in your urine
• Difficulty passing urine

Risk factors

Factors that increase your risk of developing kidney stones include:

• History of kidney stones either in your family or you if you already had an attack of kidney stones the probability of another attack is great.
• Not drinking enough liquid each day increases the risk of kidney stones.
• Eating foods that are high in animal protein, sodium, and sugar. A diet containing a high amount of sodium increases the amount of calcium that has to be filtered by the kidneys and this increases the risk of developing kidney stones
• Overly Obese is also linked to the increased risk of developing kidney stones.
• Certain disease of the bowels like inflammatory bowel disease chronic diarrhea or gastric bypass surgery. Any changes in the digestive process that affect the absorption of calcium and water increase the risk of kidney stones forming.

There are other diseases and condition that can contribute to the forming of kidney stones. These diseases would include renal tubular acidosis, cystinuria, hyperparathyroidism, certain medications, and some urinary tract infections.

Preventing Kidney Stones

Anyone can get kidney stones, even if you are in good health and it easier to prevent getting kidney stones that going through the pain of passing them.

There are some things we can do and avoid doing. Keep hydrated drink lots of liquid. Water is exceptionally good you can add some lemon juice or a couple of tablespoons of apple cider vinegar.

Go easy on colas these drinks are loaded with fructose and oxalates. These compounds are found in a lot of food even healthy ones. But oxalates bind certain minerals together like calcium which help to form kidney stones.

Cut down on salt intake especially sodium. Salt contains lots of sodium which mean more calcium for your kidneys to filter that increases the risk of kidney stones.

Eating foods rich in calcium like kale and salmon is good just to lower your salt intake which also helps to keep your blood pressure at a healthy level.

Too much animal protein in the diet can cause kidney stones. Steaks, chicken, eggs, and seafood can cause a build-up of calcium and uric acid and can contribute to the forming of kidney stones.

Be proactive in your diet check food labels read the ingredients avoid foods with sodium chloride, monosodium glutamate (MSG), and sodium nitrate,

If you think there may be at risk of getting kidney stones to let your doctor know so the medication prescribed will not increase your risk of kidney stones. Stay hydrated drink lots of fluids especially water.

Below is an exercise routine that is from Silver Sneakers  you can check my facebook for exercise tips and recipes https://www.facebook.com/ruthlynsstore/

.