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When a patient is diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), it means that their kidneys are gradually losing ability to function. When kidneys are working properly, they are able to filter wastes from the blood. which otherwise would cause a dangerous buildup in the body. Many times, patients with this diagnosis decide to go on dialysis, a treatment that mimics the natural process of filtration that the kidneys perform.
Anemia is common amongst patients with chronic kidney disease because CKD affects the sufficient production of a hormone called erythropoietin (EPO).
Edema occurs when a patient is found to have swelling on some body part. This swelling is mainly found on a patient's arms, hands, feet, legs, and ankles. The swelling is caused by excess fluid accumulating in their body's tissues. The most frequent treatments prescribed for this condition include fluid & salt restriction and diuretic therapy, which involves administering water pills that cause patients to pee out salt and water.
Hematuria is when the patient has blood in their urine. Most patients become concerned when they can see the blood with their naked eye. This type of hematuria is called gross hematuria. However, sometimes there is blood present in urine that is not readily visible except when viewed under a microscope. This is aptly called microscopic hematuria.
Another name for kidney stones is nephrolithiasis. Kidney stones form when the minerals and salts present in the urine crystallize due to their high concentration in a small amount of liquid.
When the glomerulus, known as the filter of the kidneys, is inflamed, it can prevent the kidneys from effectively filtering out toxins and other products that should be excreted into the urine. This can cause a build-up of toxins in the body.
End-Stage Renal Disease occurs in patients whose Chronic Kidney Disease has reached an advanced stage. At this point, the kidneys have lost the ability to function and nephrologists offer their patients various options for treatment ranging from most aggressive to a greater focus on a peaceful transition. These include dialysis, kidney transplant application, or symptom management.
Since impaired kidneys are unable to properly filter blood, an imbalance of calcium and phosphorus levels in the blood can result. This electrolyte imbalance can negatively affect bone health, leading to fragile, brittle bones that are easily fractured.
