Can Kidney Disease be Cured?

Managing Kidney Disease: Can It Be Reversed?

Kidney disease often results from other conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, that impair the kidneys' functioning. There are various stages of kidney disease, ranging from acute to chronic.

The cure and treatment of kidney disease generally depend on its type and stage. Read on to learn more about its types, diagnosis, and treatment options.

What are the Different Types of Kidney Diseases?

The most concerning type of kidney disease is chronic kidney disease (CKD). It is caused by high blood pressure and diabetes. In this condition, your kidneys fail to filter extra fluid from your blood and toxins in the manner they should. Though it cannot be cured, the treatment of CKD can reduce its progression.

Chronic kidney disease or ESRD (end-stage renal disease) can cause kidney failure if not addressed in time. Thus, kidney transplantation or dialysis is performed at this stage to maintain kidney function.

Apart from these, kidney disease is also classified into the following types:

1. Lupus Nephritis

When an individual’s immune system attacks the healthy cells in their body, it is called lupus. It is an autoimmune disease. However, when the immune system attacks one’s kidneys, it is called lupus nephritis.

2. Polycystic Kidney Disease

It is a genetic disorder that causes the growth of fluid-filled sacs (cysts) in the kidneys. It affects the kidneys' ability to filter waste from an individual's blood.

3. Glomerulonephritis

Glomeruli are tiny kidney filters that remove waste from the blood. When they become damaged, kidney function declines. Inflammation of the glomeruli, sometimes following a strep infection, can further impair their ability to filter waste effectively.

4. Interstitial Nephritis

It is a condition in which an individual reacts adversely to a medicine, reducing their kidneys' capacity to filter toxins. In such cases, you must stop taking those medicines to improve the health of your kidneys.

5. Pyelonephritis

It is a urinary tract infection that can cause scarring during the healing process. If such infections occur repeatedly, they may lead to lasting kidney damage and impaired kidney function.

What are the Different Stages of End-Stage Renal Disease?

Kidney disease is classified into 5 stages based on the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). It is a blood test that measures your kidneys' ability to filter waste. A normal eGFR above 90 indicates healthy kidney function, while an eGFR of 0 means no kidney function remains.

● Stage 1: eGFR is above 90. The kidneys have mild damage but still function normally.

● Stage 2: eGFR ranges from 60 to 89. Kidney damage is more significant than in stage 1, but function remains good.

● Stage 3: eGFR falls between 30 and 59. This stage reflects moderate to severe loss of kidney function.

● Stage 4: eGFR is between 15 and 29, indicating severe kidney function decline.

● Stage 5: eGFR is below 15, meaning kidneys are close to or at complete failure. Symptoms usually begin to appear at this stage.

How is Kidney Disease Diagnosed?

Doctors may suggest the following tests to check the severity of your kidney disease:

● Blood Tests

It is used to check the waste products in blood, such as creatinine and urea, to assess kidney function.

● Urine Test

Doctors examine urine samples to detect any abnormalities that may indicate chronic kidney disease. It also provides clues to the cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD).

● Imaging Tests

Physicians recommend ultrasound or other imaging tests to evaluate the size and composition of the kidneys.

● Kidney Biopsy

In this process, a small sample of tissue is removed from the kidney with a thin needle while the patient is under local anaesthesia. The sample is examined in detail in a laboratory to determine the cause of the kidney issues.

What are the Treatment Procedures for Kidney Disease?

The treatment method for kidney disease depends on the type (acute or chronic) and the stage of the disease. The main treatment options are as follows:

● Lifestyle Changes

Changes in lifestyle are a crucial part of kidney treatment. These include a healthy diet, regular exercise, quitting smoking, and maintaining a healthy weight.

● Medications

High blood pressure increases the risk of chronic kidney disease, and kidney disease can, in turn, further elevate blood pressure. Doctors often prescribe ACE inhibitors or ARBs to manage both conditions and reduce protein in urine. Additional medications may address anaemia and slow kidney disease progression, even in non-diabetic patients.

● Dialysis

If kidneys can no longer function, dialysis is done to clean the blood of waste. Dialysis is of 2 types: hemodialysis (a machine-based process) and peritoneal dialysis (a process that utilizes the abdominal lining).

● Kidney Transplant

For appropriate candidates with end-stage kidney disease, a kidney transplant provides the most hopeful prospect of a near-normal life. It does involve a compatible donor and an ongoing regimen of drugs to maintain organ function.

At Star Health, we offer coverage for kidney transplants under several of our policies, including the Star Critical Illness Multipay Insurance Policy. We also provide hassle-free claim settlements with over 14,000 network hospitals across India.

Chronic kidney disease cannot currently be cured, but it can be managed with lifestyle changes, medications, dialysis, or transplantation. Acute kidney injury is often reversible if treated promptly. Exciting research in stem cells, regenerative medicine, and gene therapy may one day provide a cure.