How can one detect kidney disease early?
June 6, 2022 | 30,00 EUR | answered by Tobias Klein
Dear Doctor,
My name is Petra Eiserfelder and I am reaching out to you because I am very concerned about my kidneys. Unfortunately, there is a history of kidney disease in my family, so I have been afraid of being affected myself for some time.
Lately, I have noticed increased symptoms that could indicate a possible kidney disease. These include frequent urination, back pain, and a general feeling of fatigue and weakness. I have also noticed that my urine is sometimes cloudy and has an unpleasant odor.
As I understand how important early diagnosis is in kidney diseases, I would like to know from you how to detect a kidney disease early on. Are there specific tests or examinations that I should undergo? What risk factors should I keep in mind, and how can I keep my kidneys healthy?
I would greatly appreciate it if you could provide me with further information and possible solutions for my situation. Thank you in advance for your help.
Sincerely,
Petra Eiserfelder
Dear Mrs. Eiserfelder,
Thank you for your message and your trust. It is understandable that you are concerned about your kidneys, especially due to the family history of kidney diseases. The symptoms you described, such as frequent urination, back pain, fatigue, cloudy urine, and unpleasant odor, can indeed indicate a kidney disease. It is important to take these symptoms seriously and have them medically evaluated.
To detect a kidney disease early, various tests and examinations are possible. A simple way is to analyze the urine for the presence of protein, blood, sugar, or other abnormalities. Furthermore, a blood test can be performed to check kidney function, measuring parameters such as creatinine and urea. Imaging techniques such as ultrasound or a kidney biopsy can also contribute to making a diagnosis.
It is important to keep an eye on risk factors that can increase the risk of kidney diseases. These include diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, smoking, unhealthy diet, and insufficient fluid intake. By controlling and reducing these risk factors, you can keep your kidneys healthy. A balanced diet, regular exercise, adequate fluid intake, and avoiding nicotine can help minimize the risk of kidney diseases.
If you continue to be concerned about your kidneys, I recommend making an appointment with your primary care physician or a nephrologist (kidney specialist). Further examinations and individual counseling can be conducted there. The earlier a kidney disease is detected, the better the treatment options and prognosis.
I hope this information is helpful to you and I am available for further questions. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need further support.
Best regards,
Tobias Klein
