Kidneys are two paired organs situated on either side of the midline, primarily responsible for filtering the blood of all waste in the body, with the byproduct being urine. As an adult, we typically pass about one to 1.5 liters of urine in 24 hours. When kidneys fail to filter the blood of toxic waste, kidney failure occurs.

 

What are the common causes? 

 

The common causes for kidney failure in adulthood are hypertension and diabetes, which often go undetected in the Indian population. In children, congenital or immunological factors can lead to kidney failure. 

 

Is it possible to reverse kidney failure? If so, how? 

 

Unlike the liver, kidneys do not regenerate. Once the process leading to kidney failure has begun, it is challenging to reverse it. However, controlling the underlying cause can at least halt the progression of the disease. Here are some tips:

 

• Hypertension is a common cause of rising creatinine levels, so it's crucial to manage hypertension effectively.  Regular check-ups and monitoring are essential. 
• Lifestyle changes, such as reducing smoking and moderating alcohol intake, along with regular exercise and weight management, can help protect the kidneys. 

 

Undertaking a complete health checkup at any point in your lifetime serves as a baseline. These constant efforts will improve and protect your kidneys from further damage or detect any preexisting damage. 

 

There are no distinct presentations of kidney failure, but puffiness beneath the eyes, unexplained weight gain, bilateral swelling in the legs, breathlessness, and anemia can be indicators. These issues are often detected during routine investigations, as high creatinine levels or protein in the urine may not manifest with clinical signs.

 

This blog has been converted from the Youtube Video - What is Kidney Failure?