Importance of the kidney in our body

The kidney is a vital part of the human body and it is very important that it functions in a proper manner. The kidney plays a crucial role in the cleansing of the human body as it filters the blood and removes all the toxins and other waste from our body. The inability to do so can cause serious health problems to the concerned person. This condition, in which the kidney is unable to segregate and remove all the toxins is medically known as kidney failure.

Kidney failure does not occur overnight and happens in stages. If it is diagnosed in time, then it can be cured with the correct treatment. Kidney failure can be divided into the following two categories- acute and chronic.

In acute kidney failure, the organ stops functioning suddenly due to a severe injury or failure. Chronic kidney failure happens over a period of time and may take many years to become life-threatening.

Different stages of kidney failure

Medically, kidney failure has been categorized into the following five stages:

1) Stage 1: This is the first stage of kidney failure. Now, the damage has just begun but the kidneys are around 90% functional.

2) Stage 2: This is the second level of kidney failure as the disease spreads and the kidney is now functioning at 89-60% of its original capacity.

3) Stage 3: Stage 3 renal failure has two parts.

• In the first part, the kidney is only half-functional at 59-45% while in the more severe.
• In the second part, the kidney is operating at around 35%of its original capacity.

4) Stage 4: When the kidney is functioning at only 30-15%, then it is categorized as Stage 4 kidney failure.

5) Stage 5: The patient is diagnosed with Stage 5 kidney failure when his organs have completely stopped functioning. This is the final stage of kidney failure and needs urgent medical intervention.

Treatment for kidney failure

If kidney failure is suspected then the doctor will conduct a blood test and urine test. The blood tests will show the levels of creatinine in the body and if it is on the higher side, it indicates kidney failure. The urine is tested for albumin, which is secreted through urine if there is renal damage.

Once kidney failure has been diagnosed, then it is time to look at the different treatment options available for the patient.

There are two treatment methods usually recommended by doctors- Dialysis and kidney transplant. To know more about these two treatment procedures, read on: 

Dialysis

Dialysis does not offer a cure to the kidney failure problem but instead works towards improving the patient’s quality of life. In dialysis, a dialyzer machine does the function of the kidney and removes all the toxins and waste material from the human body. Initially, the patient needs medical help while conducting dialysis but after receiving training for some time, he/she can manage on their own.

Kidney transplant

A permanent cure for kidney failure is getting a transplant. If the patient has stage 5 renal failures, then he can secure a kidney from a living person or a dead donor. Proper care must be taken after the operation to ensure that the body accepts the kidney and does not reject it, leading to infections.

Read more: Treatment and Procedures Involved in Kidney Transplant

The Gujarat Superspeciality Hospital offers high-quality treatment for all kidney-related ailments like renal failure, kidney stone among others. The super-specialized team of doctors at the hospital works in tandem with the patients so they can be cured with complete ease of mind. This is what makes The Gujarat Superspeciality Hospital one of the best Kidney Transplant Hospital in Gujarat.

Read more: Best Kidney Transplant Hospital in Gujarat