The kidneys act as our body’s natural filter, removing waste and excess substances from the blood. However, several conditions can affect their ability to perform this essential function, potentially leading to kidney failure. Let’s explore some possible causes.
High blood sugar levels over time can damage the kidneys’ filtering system. Diabetes is, in fact, one of the most common causes of kidney failure.
Just as it can harm your heart, uncontrolled high blood pressure can also damage the blood vessels in the kidneys, impairing their ability to effectively remove waste from your body.
Conditions that gradually damage the kidneys over time, such as polycystic kidney disease or chronic glomerulonephritis, can lead to kidney failure.
Conditions that damage the blood vessels, including the large ones like renal artery stenosis or the tiny ones such as hemolytic uremic syndrome, can cause kidney failure.
Issues that prevent the body from expelling urine, such as kidney stones or an enlarged prostate, can put too much pressure on the kidneys, leading to failure over time.
Some medicines, especially when taken in high doses or for prolonged periods, can cause kidney damage. These include particular antibiotics, NSAIDs, and certain blood pressure medications.
Conditions like lupus and Goodpasture syndrome, where the body’s immune system attacks its own cells, can cause kidney failure.
Early detection and treatment of these conditions can often help prevent or delay the onset of kidney failure. If you have, or suspect you might have, any of these conditions, it’s crucial to regularly monitor your kidney health. Remember, our kidneys work tirelessly for us, and caring for them is key to our overall well-being.
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