Kidney Disease - Research Question Response

How important is the kidney in the body? The kidney is among the most important organs in the body since it purifies the blood by extracting toxic contents drawn from the rest of the systems. It also extracts excess water that may burden the cells and tissues and removes them out of the body as urine through the process of excretion. Therefore, they perform both homeostatic and excretion roles in the body apart from helping in controlling blood pressure for the healthy functioning of the body.

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How delicate is the kidney as one of the important organs in the human body? Just like any organ, the kidney sometimes undergoes infections that may damage them entirely resulting in the need for a transplant or partly necessitating treatment (Walter 13). A chronic kidney disease is one in which the kidneys are damaged and cannot filter blood smoothly as they should do.

Are the kidney infections common? What is the trend in how kidney infections present? For most people, kidney diseases occur slowly over many years, as it has no symptoms in early stages.

What are the adverse effects of kidney infections? A damaged kidney is unable to perform its roles of excretion and homeostasis. This condition causes wastes to build up in the body resulting in intoxication of the cells and tissues thus exposing he body to opportunistic diseases (Walter 37).

What are the causes of kidney diseases? There are multiple factors attributed to the presence of kidney diseases including bacterial infections or any processes that cause a strain on the kidneys. Since the kidneys are located in the lower abdomen, they are highly at risk of pressure exerted by excessive weight on the lower parts of the human body (Walter 91). Furthermore, various lifestyle practices such as the regular use of certain medicine, blockages in the flow of urine and glomerulonephritis are also some of the causes of kidney diseases. High cholesterol also causes a buildup of fatty deposits in the blood vessels supplying the kidneys thus making it difficult to function normally.

Is there comorbidity between diabetes and kidney diseases?

Innovative medical studies have established that diabetes is the most common reason for various kidney problems including chronic renal failure. If diabetes is left unchecked for a long time, it ends up damaging the blood vessels, especially the small ones of capillaries that play a critical role in the process of blood purification through the process of ultra-filtration (AfrikanaM, Zelnick LR, Hall YN et.al. 604). This damage to the blood vessels may lead to the leakage of small amounts of urine and passage of some amounts of protein into the urine. This leakage of the little amounts of urine is called microalbuminuria, which is, in fact, the earliest sign of damaged kidneys. If these initial symptoms are not proactively addressed, then it may progress to hypertension and renal failure.

How does diabetes affect the nervous system and does this increase the risks of kidney infections? Diabetes may result in the impairment of the nervous stimulation leading to the reduced sensation for urination. The problem results in a longer stay of urine in the bladder, which increases the pressure on the kidneys, cause excessive growth of bacteria in the urine and intoxication of the kidneys thus, expose them to different infections. Nonetheless, not every case of diabetes progresses to devastating kidney diseases

How does timely diagnosis and treatment of diabetes reduce the risk of its progression to a severe kidney disease?

When diagnosed early and active steps for its management taken, it may prevent kidney disease or keep it from getting worse. Hypertension accounts for being among the dominant risk factors for kidney disease among people with diabetes. Routine screening for a kidney is necessary for early detection and treatment of kidney disease.

What tests are administered on patients suspected of suffering from a kidney disease? There are two simple tests for chronic kidney disease. Urine test looks for slight amounts of protein, which can detect the disease. Protein in the urine indicates damage to the kidneys. This test is important for people with increased risk for kidney disease from diabetes, hypertension or familial relationship to individuals with these conditions. A test estimating (glomerular filtration rate) GFR is the other test. GFR estimates the kidneys filtration based on a simple blood test for a waste product called creatinineWhich are the available treatment options for kidney disease? According to Thajudeen (2013), depending on the person, type of diabetes and other factors including high blood pressure, lowering the pressure using tablets is a critical intervention. An increasing common form of treatment for people with diabetes is ACE inhibitor or angiotensin II receptor antagonists(AIIRAs).

How effective are ACE inhibitor and angiotensin II receptor antagonists(AIIRAs) in the treatment of keidney dieases? The two methods of treatment have high success which is attributable to the fact that they lower blood pressure and at the same time help protect the kidneys from further damage (Walter 25). A doctor should discuss any treatment with a patient before using it, explain what it does and how it will help. Dialysis might sometimes be needed to protect the kidneys, but kidney transplants may also be-be recommended.

Works Cited

AfrikanaM, Zelnick LR, Hall YN et.al. "Clinical Manifestations of Kidney Disease Among US Adults With Diabetes." Journal of American Medical Association (2016): 602-610.

Thajudeen, Bijin. Managing Diabetes Nephropathies In Clinical Practice. United States: Adis, 2013.

Walter A.Hunt. Kidney Disease. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2011.