Kidney diseases are characterized by a decrease in kidney function for three or more months consecutively.. The kidneys serve a vital role in removing waste and excess fluid from the body through urination. Various factors can hinder this process, causing fluid retention, toxins to build up and chronic diseases in the kidneys that become life threatening. A typical symptom of kidney disturbance is inflammation or swelling. Causes range from urine reflux to coexisting medical conditions.
Glomerulonephritis
According to www.kidney-cares.org , glomerulonephritis is a form of kidney disease causing acute or chronic kidney inflammation. Glomeruli are a conglomeration of tiny filters in each kidney that connect to tubules, which collect fluid from the body. Together the glomeruli and tubules form a nephron, the main functional unit in each kidney. Filtering blood and returning nontoxic blood to the bloodstream as well as containing necessary proteins extracted from the filtration process are significant kidney functions. Bacteria and viral infections as well as immune diseases can hinder the glomeruli from completing the filtration and waste excretion required for the kidneys to work properly. Damage from these sources lead to kidney inflammation and acute or chronic kidney failure.
Polycystic Kidney Disease
A genetic disorder known as polycystic kidney disease causes multiple cysts to grow in the kidneys.
Vesicoureteral Reflux
Abnormal flow of urine from the bladder back to kidney tubules, called ureters, is a condition referred to as vesicoureteral reflux.
Hydronephrosis and Interstitial Nephritis
Hydronephrosis is distention or swelling of the kidneys due to obstructions between the ureter and renal pelvis.
There are a number of reasons for enlarged kidneys, from polycystic kidney disease to infections, alcoholism and cancer. The Kidney Cares Community reports that patients often go for years without noticing they have enlarged kidneys. Normal sized kidneys cannot be felt with a physical examination, report researchers at Merck. Enlarged kidneys may be discovered when doctors treat symptoms or as part of a prostrate or pelvic exam.
There are som sign of kidney enlarged
PAIN
Burning or pain during urination can be a sign of a urinary tract infection that can cause enlarged kidneys.
SWELLING
Swelling is sometimes noticed when a patient experiences rapid weight gain that cannot be attributed to other causes. As the kidneys fail and become enlarged, fluids cannot be processed properly and begin to accumulate in the ankles, abdomen, lower back and face. According to doctors at Merck, kidney failure results as the fluid leaks into the tissues of the body.
CHANGES IN URINATION
Changes in urination patterns may direct a physician to check out the kidneys for further examination and look for growth. When the kidneys cannot handle increased amounts of fluid intake or fluid retention caused by caffeine and alcohol, they can become enlarged and the patient either urinates more often than usual or feels the need to urinate more often.
