Nephrology and Urology

It is a chronic loss of kidney function in those with diabetes and may progress to severe complications, including renal failure. The kidneys’ ability to effectively remove waste products and extra fluids from the body is decreased in this condition.

The most common symptoms are:

• Swelling of feet, ankles, or hands.
• Increased urge to urinate
• Difficulty concentrating
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea/ vomiting
• Persistent itching
• Fatigue

In glomerulonephritis, blood is inefficiently filtered because the blood vessels in the kidney become inflamed. This condition may occur on its own or secondary to other diseases such as infections, lupus, and diabetes.

The most common symptoms are:

• Blood in the urine (haematuria)
• Foamy urine
• Decreased urine output
• Swelling of hands, face, and feet due to fluid retention
• Nausea/Vomiting
• Muscle cramps
• Fatigue

Glomerulonephritis can result in complete kidney damage if left untreated.

Changes in natural potassium, magnesium, calcium, and sodium levels may impact muscle strength, heart rhythm and other body functions. Fluid and electrolyte imbalance could show up as oedema, causing swelling and pain in arms, legs, feet, and hands.

On the other hand, symptoms of dehydration include weakness, excessive thirst, light-headedness, fainting, and dark-coloured, and foul-smelling urine.

Also known as AKI, acute kidney injury is a condition of sudden and temporary loss of kidney function. It can be a minor loss of kidney function or kidney failure. 

The most common symptoms are:

• Reduction in urine production
• Swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet
• Fatigue
• Breathlessness
• Confusion
• Nausea
• Dehydration
• Drowsiness

AKI can be fatal if not urgently treated. In the absence of prompt treatment, it can affect other organs.

End-stage kidney disease or end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is the last stage of chronic kidney disease when your kidneys can no longer support your body’s needs.

The most common symptoms are:

• Fatigue and shortness of breath
• Nausea
• Unbearable itching
• Poor appetite
• Abnormally light or dark skin 
• Bad breath 
• Excessive thirst
• Weigh loss
• Persistent headaches
• Difficulty sleeping
• Confusion and lack of alertness
• Muscle cramps
• Easy bruising 
• Amenorrhea 

Find out more about the five stages of kidney failure that are determined via tests, and each stage calls for a different kind of treatment.

Proteinuria is high levels of protein in your urine. This condition is often seen in those with diabetes and high blood pressure.

Proteins are filtered by glomeruli (tiny loops of capillaries) in the kidneys. However, when the glomeruli are damaged, there is no reabsorption of proteins, and the excess flows into the urine. 

The most common symptoms are:

• Foamy urine
• Puffiness and/or swelling of the face and/or limbs
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Muscle cramps
• Frequent urge to urinate
• Nausea

Renal cell cancer, also known as kidney cancer or renal cell adenocarcinoma is a disease characterised by the presence of cancerous cells in the tubule lining of the kidney.

The early stages may be asymptomatic. However, symptoms appear as the tumour grows, such as:

• Blood in the urine
• Noticeable lump in the kidney area or abdomen
• Weight loss 
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Anaemia 
• Pain in the side of the abdomen

Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) is a genetic disease that causes the growth of cysts in the kidneys. Cysts caused by PKD can alter the shape of your kidneys, including making them significantly larger.

Symptoms include:

• Pain in the abdomen, back or flank
• Urinary tract infections
• Blood in the urine
• Increased abdomen size 

PKD is a type of chronic kidney disease (CKD) that diminishes kidney function and may result in renal failure.