What are Kidneys?
The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs that contain millions of nephrons each. These nephrons are made up of a tiny structure of a filtering unit called the Glomerulus that filters your blood and contains tubules that return the necessary substances to your blood and remove the wastes.
Kidney Diseases
Functions of the Kidney
- Filters the impurities from the blood & excretes the waste
- Controls blood pressure
- Maintains fluid electrolyte and acid balance
- Produces erythropoietin that also helps in the production of haemoglobin
- Produces an active form of Vitamin D that helps in calcium balance which strengthens the bone
Types of Kidney Diseases
- Temporary Acute Kidney Failure
- Permanent Kidney Failure (Chronic)
- Glomerulonephritis
- Urinary Tract Infection
- Nephrotic Syndrome
Common Symptoms of Kidney Diseases
- Low urine output
- Blood in urine
- Swelling of feet
- Frothy urine
- Increased urination during the night
- High blood pressure
Common Treatment for Kidney Diseases
1. Medical Management
2. Dialysis for severe Kidney failure
- Haemodialysis
- Peritoneal dialysis
- CRRT
3. Kidney Transplant
- Live
- Cadaver
- Paediatric
- ABO incompatible
Basic Tests to Diagnose Kidney Diseases:
Urine Analysis, Blood, Urea, Creatinine and Electrolyte.
Types of Kidney Diseases
Kidneys are organs responsible for filtering waste from the body through the urine. Kidneys also perform synthetic endocrine and metabolic functions of the body. The inability of Kidneys to perform these functions can be due to kidney diseases.
Acute Kidney Injury
The sudden occurrence of kidney failure or damage that happens within a few hours or days is known as Acute Kidney Injury or Acute Renal Failure. This leads to build-up of waste products in the blood making it hard for the kidneys to maintain the balance of fluid in the body.
Symptoms
- Less urine output
- Swelling in legs, ankles, and around the eyes
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea
Causes
- Decreased blood flow
- Direct damage to kidneys
- Blockage to the urinary tract
Other kidney diseases
- Acute Glomerulonephritis- inflammation of the kidney’s filtering units
- Renal Stones- stone formationin kidney
- Nephrotic Syndrome- excess protein in urine
Procedures
- Haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis
- Hypertension Management
- CKD Patient Management and Education
- Kidney Biopsy
- CRRT
- Plasmapheresis
- Live Donor Renal Transplant
- Deceased Donor Renal Transplant
- Vascular Access Related Interventional Procedure
- Nephrology Related Clinical Trials
Chronic Kidney Disease
Chronic Kidney Disease commonly known as CKD is the failure in the functioning of Kidneys which leads to harmful levels of fluids and waste build up in the body for more than 3 months duration. CKD can also lead to end-stage renal failure, often requiring dialysis or a transplant.
Symptoms
- Nausea/ Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue and weakness
- Urinating more or less
- Decreased mental sharpness
- Muscle cramps
- Swelling of feet and ankles
- Dry, itchy skin
- Uncontrolled High blood pressure
Causes
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Autoimmune diseases
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Family history of kidney disease
- Abnormal kidney structure
- Old age
- Frequent use of medications that can damage the kidneys
Department of Nephrology
The Department of Nephrology and Urology Science at Kauvery Hospital houses a team of experienced nephrologists, urologists and anaesthetists who provide expert care and treatment. The intensive care unit provides utmost care for end-stage renal failure. A dedicated team of nurses trained in renal transplant takes care of pre-transplant and post-transplant individuals. The Dialysis unit has state-of-the-art infrastructure providing dialysis care and services 24*7.
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Kidney Transplant in Chennai
Kauvery Hospital offers comprehensive treatment in the form of renal transplants for End Stage Renal Disease. The Nephrology-Urology department takes pride in its teamwork and the Hospital is well-equipped with the latest diagnostic and therapeutic facilities. Kauvery offers living as well as deceased donor transplants not only for adults but for also children
When the kidneys lose their function, that is filtering wastes from the body, toxic wastes start accumulating in the body. This is called Renal Failure. This situation occurs when a patient suffers from certain diseases such as Malignant Hypertension, Chronic Infections, Diabetes, Glomeruli which is inflammation and scarring of the filters in the kidney, Polycystic Kidney Disease, and also due to Autoimmune disorders, like Lupus. Most of the patients who need a renal transplant will be mostly on dialysis.
A renal transplant may not be considered if the patient has tuberculosis or a recent history of cancer, advanced heart, lung, or liver disease or if the patient is a chronic smoker, or alcohol or drug dependent.
The surgery takes approximately three hours. The donor kidney will be placed in the lower abdomen, the blood vessels from the donor kidney will be connected to the patient’s body and the ureter from the donor kidney will be connected to the patient’s bladder. Blood will start flowing through the new kidney and it begins its function of filtering.
