KIDNEY PROBLEMS
BASICS
- Water is most important substance in body ( 70-75% of body is water)
- Water content is regulated by kidneys by removing the extra fluid.
- If the body doesn’t have a constant supply of water, the kidneys can stop working. Regular consumption of fluid is most important.
- Our body has mostly evolved to adapt to water as a prime source of fluid( not carbonated drinks or sugary drinks).
- Try to encourage water intake in children.(Check water requirement in another section)
- Water is also provided by fruits, vegetables and various other foods.
Kidneys are very important organs which also perform the following functions
- Clearing waste from the body( by passing urine).
- Maintaining blood pressure (hence abnormalities in kidney can present as high/ low blood pressure symptoms)
- Helps calcium absorption (helps synthesise Vitamin D)
- Maintaining Electrolyte (chemicals in blood) balance. When these levels are deranged they affect other organ functions. ( ex. heart, brain )
- Help blood formation (by stimulating bone marrow)
- Maintains water balance( Urinating extra water- pale urine, and conserving water – dark urine)
Drinking water regularly helps kidneys do their function
WASTE DISPOSAL FROM BODY
The waste is mainly removed as
- Urine- by kidneys
- Skin- sweating
- Breathing- the air we breathe out is moisturised
- Excreta
SIGNS OF KIDNEY PROBLEMS
- Can present as below
- Abdomen pain
- Decreased urine
- Different colour of urine
- Symptoms of increased Blood pressure- headache, vomiting ,
- Growth problems
- Swelling around eyes, legs
RISKS FOR KIDNEY INJURY
- Babies born with kidney defects
- If the child has repeated urine infections (Needs evaluation)
- Suffers for high blood pressure( Hence necessary to treat high BP)
- Severe dehydration ( From burns, blood loss, decreased intake)
- Certain infections ( occasionally after Throat infections / Skin infections)
- Certain medications that are toxic/ Poisoning
WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR
- Not passing enough urine( In babies at least 1 wet nappy every 6 hours)
- Excessive weight gain in babies with swelling of back, face
- If blood in urine
- If Burning urination, Fever, Pain in tummy
- Dizziness/ Headache in presence of urine problems
- Repeated urine infections- there should be a clear reason for repeated urine infections. it may need scanning or other investigations to make sure there is no anatomical defect in kidneys(Especially in babies < 6 months)
DANGER SIGNS
- Blood in urine
- Abdomen pain, fever with chills
- Not passed urine ( > 12 hours, depending on condition)
- Repeated urine infections in babies < 6 months
BE AWARE –
In the first week of birth , the baby might pass red urine- due to Urate stones. This may not need further evaluation. But prolonged red urine needs evaluation.