Acute V/S Chronic Kidney Disease

The kidneys play a major role in eliminating excessive toxins from the blood, preventing buildup of toxic byproducts to dangerous levels and regulating sodium, calcium and potassium levels in the blood. When they fail to function as they should, it can cause a wide range of health problems. Depending upon the causes and the way it progresses, kidney disease can be categorized as acute or chronic.

Acute Kidney Disease

In this form, organ failure develops and progresses rapidly and can go from mild to severe in a matter of days or a few weeks. This can happen if you have any health disorder that adversely affects the flow of urine or the supply of blood to the kidney or has a direct impact on the organ itself. This form is reversible. When the underlying problem has been cured, its function usually recovers completely and goes back to normal. In some cases however, there may be residual damage that could impede the functioning sometime in the future.

Chronic kidney disease

In this form, there is a gradual loss of function, which progresses over a period of time. The decline could happen over a period of several months or even years and the damage is usually irreversible.

The severity of this form of the condition progresses over five very distinct stages:
In stage 1, there is very mild damage to the organ and it is still functioning almost normally.

In stage 2, there is a slight decrease in the efficiency with which the kidneys function.

In stage 3, there is a further decrease in the functioning of the kidneys.

In stage 4, the decrease is severe.

In stage 5, there is near-total loss or complete loss of function. This stage is also often called end-stage kidney disease. When a person reaches this stage, they usually need dialysis to stay alive.

Health Effects Of Kidney Disease

When the kidneys do not function as efficiently as they should, excess water, waste and toxic substances begin to accumulate in the blood stream. If it is not treated in time, the kidneys will continue to deteriorate and the toxins start accumulating to dangerous levels in the body. The buildup of toxic substances can cause a host of health problems ranging from acidosis or excessive acidity of body fluids, bone disease, anemia and other disorders associated with fatty acids and cholesterol.

Preventive Measures

Obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure are the main factors that cause kidney failure. Maintaining overall general health with a healthy diet and regular exercise can go a long way in helping to prevent the onset of this condition.

The best way to keep kidney disease at bay is by having regular health checkups especially to determine your pressure and sugar levels. High blood pressure and diabetes are the leading causes of this condition. To get that all-important health check, call Trinity Primary Care today to set up an appointment. Also check out our new page on Kidney Disease.

View the original article here