A kidney disease is an illness or disorder that affects the functions of the kidneys with regard to filtration, re-absorption and secretion. Kidney diseases can be hereditary, congenital or acquired.

Chronic kidney disease occurs when one suffers from gradual and usually permanent loss of kidney function over time. This happens gradually, usually months to years. Chronic kidney disease is divided into five stages of increasing severity (see Table 1 below). The term "renal" refers to the kidney, so another name for kidney failure is "renal failure." Mild kidney disease is often called renal insufficiency.

Causes of Kidney Problems

Sepsis:  The body's immune system is overwhelmed from infection and causes inflammation and shutdown of the kidneys. This usually does not occur with urinary tract infections.

Medications: Some medications are toxic to the kidney, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen. Others are antibiotics like aminoglycosides [gentamicin (Garamycin), tobramycin], lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid), iodine-containing medications such as those injected for radiology dye studies.

Rhabdomyolysis: This is a situation in which there is significant muscle breakdown in the body, and the degeneration products of muscle fibers clog the filtering system of the kidneys. Often occurring because of trauma and crush injuries, it can also be caused by some medications used to treat high cholesterol.

Symptoms of Kidney Problems

1.    Puffiness around the eyes, particularly in the morning.

2.    Burning sensation while urinating.

3.    Gross Hematuria – Red or coffee colored urine.

4.    Change in pattern of urination including increased frequency of urination and having to get up more often at night to pass urine.

5.    Pain in the back just below the ribs.

6.    High blood pressure.

7.    Increasing weakness.

8.    Nausea may be present at the terminal stage of kidney failure.

9.    Abnormal behavior and convulsions are late manifestations of kidney diseases.

Prevention of kidney disease:

1.    Chronic kidney disease may be prevented by controlling the other diseases or factors that can contribute to kidney disease.

2.    Manage blood pressure levels.

3.    Maintain a healthy weight. This can also help prevent other diseases, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

4.    Check for healthy levels of fats (lipids), such as triglycerides and cholesterol.

5.    Smoking can lead to atherosclerosis, which reduces blood flow to the kidneys and increases blood pressure. Hence, avoid smoking or using any tobacco products

Home Remedies to get rid of Kidney Problems

1.    Carrots: Boil 2 tsp. of carrot seeds in a glass of water and drink it. It will increase the flow of urine.

2.    Radish: Taking half a glass of radish juice provides relief from burning sensation and pain at the time of urination.

3.    Bathua: It is beneficial in kidney problems. It relieves hesitancy and strangury micturition and restores the flow.

4.    Arbi: Eating the vegetable of arbi is beneficial in kidney diseases. It makes the kidneys strong.

5.    Water-melon: Eating water-melon is beneficial in Nephrites.

6.    Long cucumber: Taking mixed juice of carrots and long cucumber or carrots and turnips cures kidney diseases.

7.    Potato: A patient suffering from kidney problem should eat potatoes. It contains lots of sodium and very little of potassium. Too much of potassium causes excessive secretion of salt from the kidneys.

8.    Mango: Mango is shaped like a kidney. Eating mangoes regularly strengthens kidneys.