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“Before being operated for my kidney ulcers they explained the entire procedure in a way that I can understand, and this is never done before, and they were very kind to me this is a good as it can get.”
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Liver disease
Introduction
The liver is an organ situated under the rib cage on the right side of the abdomen. It plays an essential role in digesting food and getting rid of harmful toxic substances from the body. Liver disease can either inherit from genetic factors or caused by various other factors that damage the liver like excessive alcohol use or exposure to viruses. Obesity is also related to liver damage. Over the period, extensive damage to the liver results in scarring or cirrhosis which is a severe condition. It can lead to liver failure, a critical and life-threatening disease.
Symptoms
There are various symptoms and signs of liver disease to look out for:-
- Abdominal pain and swelling
- Skin and eyes appear to be in yellowish or jaundice
- Itchy skin
- Dark urine color
- Swelling endured in the legs and ankles
- Chronic fatigue
- Pale stool color or bloody and tar-colored stool
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- The tendency to bruise easily
Causes
Liver disease can be sourced from many factors such as:-
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Infection
Viruses or parasites can infiltrate the liver and cause inflammation which reduces the efficient functionality of the organ. The viruses that cause such liver damage can be spread through blood, semen, contaminated food or water or upon proximity to an infected person. Hepatitis viruses are the most common cause of liver infection. They include:-
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis C
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Immune system abnormality
When the immune system attacks specific parts of the body, it is known as autoimmune. Examples of such autoimmune liver diseases consist of:-
- Primary biliary cirrhosis
- Primary sclerosing cholangitis
- Autoimmune hepatitis
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Genetics
When an abnormal gene is inherited from one or both of the parents, it can lead to various substances to build up in the liver, resulting in extensive liver damage. Genetic liver diseases include:-
- Wilson’s disease
- Hemochromatosis
- Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
- Hyperoxaluria and oxalosis
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Cancer and growths
They include:-
- Liver cancer
- Bile duct cancer
- Liver adenoma
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Other causes
Other common causes include:-
- Fat accumulating in the liver or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- Chronic alcohol abuse
Prevention
- Drink alcohol in moderate consideration
- Avoid risky behaviors such as indulging in illicit intravenous drugs involving needles, having unprotected sex and tattoos or piercings.
- Get vaccinated against the risk of contracting hepatitis
- Use medications wisely by taking prescription drugs and non-prescription drugs only in recommended doses.
- Avoid contact with other people’s blood and bodily fluids
- Maintain a healthy body weight
- Protect your skin when dealing with harmful chemicals
Rare diseases that can cause damage to the kidneys.
Kidney the bean shaped organ in our body id one of the most effective detoxification agent in nature and therefore it is imperative that we keep it in good condition. Here are some rare diseases that can affect the kidney and may lead to kidney failure.
ALAGILLE SYNDROME:
It mainly affects the liver of the patient but can affect the kidneys as well. It is caused by the build up of bile in one’s liver, causing scarring and damaging of the kidney. When certain wastes are not removed ny the liver excess strain is exerted on the kidney and this may lead to kidney failure.
ALPORT SYNDROME:
It is caused by problems with three genes in one’s body which results in the incorrect growth of kidneys. This leads to expulsion of blood in urine and can cause chronic kidney disease.
AMYLOIDOSIS:
It causes the build up of proteins called amyloids that form clumps inside one’s organs and tissues causing damage. Primary amyloidosis can cause kidney disease while dialysis related amyloidosis causes damage by being on dialysis for a very long time.
CYSTINOSIS:
This is caused when a component of protein called cysteine builds up in the body cells. It is generally passed on from parents to children through the CTNS gene.
FABRY DISEASE:
Fabry disease causes a build up of fat that causes the body’s cells. The build up of fat can cause stroke and kidney disease which can ultimately lead to kidney failure. It is caused by a gene mutation and is passed down from parents to children.
GLOMERULONEPHRITIS:
Kidneys removes and filters through fine filters called glomeruli. It is a type of kidney disease that damage these glomeruli and renders the kidney incapable of removal of wastes.
GOODPASTURE SYNDROME:
It is a problem of the immune system that affects the kidney and lungs. It attacks the glomeruli of the kidney and causes chronic kidney damage. If not treated early it can lead to death.
INTERSTITIAL NEPHRITIS:
It is caused when a part of the kidney’s filter called tubules become swollen. It only happens for a short time or chronic, and last for several weeks or months. It is often an allergy to some medicine. Chronic cases are very few in number and can cause kidney failure. Often it treated by abstaining from the medicine that one is allergic to.
MINIMAL CHANGE DISEASE:
This disease causes damage to the small filters of the kidney. The exact cause is unknown and is suspected to be tumors, infections, and allergy. It can cause swelling, weight gain, high blood pressure and foamy urine. Relapses are common for this disease.
These are some of the rare diseases that can harm the kidneys.
Chronic Kidney Disease- Symptoms And Causes.
The kidneys filter waste and excess fluid from the blood. As kidneys fail, waste builds up.
Mostly people exhibit no symptoms while some develop slowly and aren’t specific to that particular disease. Mostly it is diagnosed through lab tests.
Medication can only manage the disease and in later stages only dialysis or transplant may work. This disease affects more than 1 Million people per year and can lost lifelong. It is observed that mostly people above 40 are at higher risk.
Most reported symptoms include:
Fatigue, High blood pressure, Loss of appetite, water-electrolyte imbalance.
Other common symptoms include
Abnormal heart rhythm, failure to thrive, fluid in lungs, insufficient urine, weight loss, swelling, kidney failure, Nausea, Vomiting, Sleep Problems, Muscle twitching, Shortness of breath.
Kidneys are highly adaptive and symptoms may not occur till the end.
CAUSES:
Chronic kidney disease occurs when a condition impairs the kidney function damaging it over years and months.
- Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.
- High Blood pressure
- Glomerulonephritis which is an inflammation of the kidney filtering units called glomeruli.
- Interstitial Nephritis which is an inflammation of the kidney and its surrounding structures.
- Obstruction of urinary tract, from conditions such as enlarged prostate, cancers and most often kidney stone.
- Vesicoureteral which is a disease that causes urine reflux.
- Polycystic Kidneys.
- Kidney diseases that keep recurring.
Risk Factors:
There are certain risk factors that increase your risk of Chronic kidney disease. These are
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Obesity
- High blood pressure
- Cardiovascular disease.
- Asian, African, Native American ethinicities have a higher risk.
- Family history of kidney disease.
- Older age.
Some of the complications that can be caused by the condition includes
- Swelling that occurs due to fluid retention in the body. This is generally visible in arms and legs and in the lungs.
- Heart and blood vessel disease( cardiovascular disease)
- A sudden rise in the potassium levels of blood which is known as Hyperkalemia which causes our heart to stress excessively which can be life threatening.
- Weakening of bones and an increase in the risk of bone fractures
- Anemia
- Erectile dysfunction and reduced sex drive
- Immunity weakens which makes you more susceptible to diseases
- Causes personality changes, damages central nervous system and difficulty concentrating.
- Inflammation of the saclike membrane lining the heart called the pericardium. This condition is called as Pericarditis.
- Pregnancy complications that can be highly dangerous for the mother and child.
- Irreversible kidney damage leading to either dialysis or transplant for survival.
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