All problems affecting the renal parenchymal area collectively called Renal Parenchymal Diseases. The functional section of the kidneys includes the renal cortex, which is the outermost part of the kidney, and the renal medulla that comprises tubules and ducts that aid urine flow and excretion.
The renal cortex contains nephrons that act as filters for blood passing through the kidney. The renal tubules modify the fluid into urine, and this is passed through the renal medulla. As renal parenchymal diseases affect these crucial functions of the kidney, it can be very dangerous. In extreme cases, it can lead to renal failures.
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Importance Of Proper Kidney Function In The Body
Kidneys are essential for filtering waste from our blood. Without this, blood will have several impurities, and this can affect all the organs of the body in the long run. Kidneys recycle whatever electrolytes can be used by the body and convert other waste materials into the urine.
Other than that, kidneys are also crucial for regulating blood pressure. Without the proper functioning of the kidneys, our body will lose electrolyte balance, and this can lead to several health conditions. Kidneys are also useful in the production of red blood cells in the body.
Symptoms of renal parenchymal diseases
- There are several symptoms of renal parenchymal diseases, and it may affect different people in different ways. While some people experience swelling in the hands and feet due to water retention, it can also affect the eyes in other cases.
- High blood pressure is yet another common symptom of this condition.
- It can also cause nausea and vomiting due to a lack of regulation of fluid in the body.
- You may lose your appetite when you are suffering from kidney problems.
- Long term problems with the kidney lead to an imbalance in the hormones and metabolic activity in the body.
- It can also cause itching as the fluids are not properly eliminated from the body.
- Some people also suffer from pain in the abdominal region, and the region may also swell due to the accumulation of fluids in the body.
- In extreme cases, there may be blood in urine, and this is a serious symptom that needs immediate medical attention.
- All these factors can significantly affect the appetite and metabolic activity in the body leading to anemia and other related conditions.
- Fatigue and lethargy are common due to such problems as the red blood cell production gets affected in the body.
- You may also feel short of breath or experience dizziness while suffering from kidney problems.
Causes of renal parenchymal diseases
- Kidney stones can lead to renal parenchymal diseases in many people. As the body is not able to process salts properly due to certain reasons, it leads to kidney stones, and they can affect the normal functioning of the kidneys.
- Dehydration and low intake of fluids on a regular basis can lead to such conditions in the long run.
- Certain autoimmune conditions also contribute to this condition as the body becomes weak during such conditions.
- Polycystic kidney disease is yet another major cause of parenchymal diseases.
- If you are suffering from diabetes or high blood pressure problems, you have to be extra careful as this can often lead to kidney damage in the future.
- Bacterial and viral infections that affect different organs can also lead to a host of kidney problems. As the kidney becomes overloaded with such toxins, it has to work harder, and this can lead to renal failures in some cases.
- In some cases, even hereditary factors can play a major role in developing these conditions.
- Certain medications can also put a lot of pressure on the kidneys and lead to parenchymal diseases.
Diagnosis of Renal Parenchymal diseases
The problem with renal parenchymal diseases is that the symptoms often do not appear in the initial stages. In this way, proper tests are required whenever you notice even minor symptoms. Apart from that, it will also benefit if you go for a regular medical checkup as this can alert you about such conditions before they become complicated.
One of the most common ways to diagnose these conditions is through a urine test. Your doctor may take the test several times to confirm the condition. The level of protein and blood in the urine can help the doctors to understand the severity of this condition.
In the same manner, blood tests can also determine the condition as it can detect impurities easily and this gives an indication that something is wrong with the kidneys.
Once doctors have enough doubt about the proper functioning of the kidneys, they will ask you to go for imaging tests such as MRI, CTA, and MRA. This can give them a clear indication of the health of the kidneys and show how blood is flowing through the organs.
Treatment for renal parenchymal diseases
There is no specific method to treat renal parenchymal diseases, and it depends on the underlying cause of this condition. In extreme cases, when renal failure has caused severe kidney damage, regular dialysis or a kidney transplant may be done to save the patient.
Apart from that, there are several other ways in which this condition can be managed, and you can avoid complications in the long run by taking such precautions.
Keep a watch on the food intake as high-calorie food can put an additional load on the kidneys in the long run. You should focus more on eating a nutritious diet that contains a rich amount of fiber, which aids in digestion.
You should also increase the fluid intake on a daily basis as this will help your kidneys to flush the waste materials easily without too much effort. It will also avoid kidney stones in the long run. You should also avoid alcohol intake when you are suffering from such conditions as they put a lot of pressure on the kidneys to remove the toxins from the body.
It is also important to exercise regularly as this can boost the blood supply to different organs and help in the proper functioning of the kidneys. It will also help you to lose weight and stay healthy.