The body has an important organ that cleanses the blood and removes harmful substances. These organs are the kidneys. Problems with this organ cause damage to the entire body. Therefore, you need to know how to check your kidneys, choose a specialist to contact and a list of necessary tests.
Main indicators of impaired kidney function
If a person notices any of the following symptoms, they should immediately contact a medical specialist:
- arterial pressure constantly increasing;
- during the process of urination, the patient notices an unpleasant odor, and blood often appears in the urine itself;
- frequent urge to empty the bladder. The highest frequency occurs at night;
- the amount of urine changes noticeably up or down;
- pain is felt when emptying the bladder;
- sharp or nagging pain is regularly observed in the lower back;
- if you have kidney problems, you notice a swollen state of the face and legs;
- appetite decreases and is accompanied by unquenchable thirst;
- shortness of breath is recorded.
If, upon detection of these indicators, one immediately undergoes a medical examination, the patient will be able to prevent the development of many diseases, and their early detection will contribute to an easy cure.
But there is another reason to arrange a consultation with doctors in advance - an appointment medical supplies that affect kidney function.
Risk group – who needs to monitor their kidney function
If a person often drinks alcoholic beverages, smokes, or is forced to take a lot of pharmacological agents– he needs to closely monitor the health of his filtering organ.
The appearance of pathologies in the kidneys is often provoked by poor nutrition, the appearance excess weight or diabetes mellitus.
Kidney check at home
Home conditions will not allow you to accurately diagnose kidney problems, but there are certain ways to check for the presence of diseases in the kidneys. Initially, you need to remember whether the person had acute pain - a sign of renal colic or aching pain (protracted illness).
The first method involves collecting morning urine in a transparent or white container. Then you need to carefully examine it - there should be nothing foreign in the urine and it will be yellow. If the color changes, you should immediately go to see your doctor. Red or brown urine color - highest level danger.
The second method is based on counting the volume of urine excreted each day. Changing is very simple - just empty bladder in one container throughout the day. At the end you need to determine the quantity.
The normal volume of urine is two liters. With a noticeable deviation from this figure, polyuria is observed, and to a lesser extent, oliguria.
Urine check
In fact, all people are required to undergo a urine test every six months. Laboratory workers count red and white blood cells and find out a lot of related characteristics. Urine is also checked for harmful impurities.
To diagnose kidney disease, there is not only a general urine test:
- Nechiporenko method - used to determine inflammation processes;
- Bence-Jones protein analysis - reveals malignant tumors or other entities.
General blood analysis
To take a blood test for kidney disease, you will need blood from a finger and a vein.
Finger prick blood reflects creatinine concentration and appearance uric acid, and the venous one will determine the presence and level of inflammation.
What are the requirements for this analysis? The day before the test, you need to completely stop drinking alcoholic beverages and pharmacological agents.
You also need to reduce physical activity and you should not eat immediately before donating blood.
What other tests can be done?
What tests should be taken if the results obtained are not enough? In this case, the specialist will refer you for additional research:
- Ultrasound – ultrasonography shows structural changes in the kidneys, if any. Absolutely safe even for children.
- X-ray - reveals a variety of renal formations. Sometimes urography is required, which is initially accompanied by the administration of contrast.
- Scintigraphy – compared to ultrasound, reveals more parameters. In particular, it determines the size and impairment of functionality internal organs.
Common kidney diseases and their symptoms
The kidneys have an extensive list various pathologies. Small part pathologies occur constantly.
Urolithiasis disease
The most important symptom of the disease is considered to be renal colic. They appear due to the fact that the stone passes from the kidneys into the ureter, thereby injuring its walls and disrupting the normal flow of urine. The pain covers the entire pelvic area, and in some cases reaches the inner thighs.
At renal colic the pain never goes away. Blood particles are noticeable in urine, and in rare cases sand.
Inflammatory processes
Cystitis and pyelonephritis are common kidney pathologies that are accompanied by inflammatory processes in the kidneys or ureter.
With such diseases, elevated temperature, decreased appetite and noticeable lethargy are recorded. The lumbar region constantly feels heavier. Acute or aching pain syndromes occur.
There is a constant urge to urinate, accompanied by pain. In this case, a kidney examination is required immediately; this will help maintain the health of the organs and the kidney tissue itself.
Everyone uses it to check their kidneys. existing techniques, this gives an accurate result. Therefore, every person must know what tests to take to check the kidney.
This 12-question test will help you determine if your kidneys are healthy. Please note that the result does not indicate 100% presence of the disease. This is just a set common symptoms, which together suggest the presence of the disease.
To confirm test results, be sure to seek a qualified diagnosis from a nephrologist or urologist.
1. Do you have lower back pain – to the left and/or right of the spine?
2. Do you have edema (swelling) under your eyes?
Constantly
Sometimes in the morning
There are no
3. Do you experience swelling of your limbs (arms/legs)?
Often
Sometimes, especially if I drink a lot of liquid
4. Do you feel heaviness in your legs?
Often
Happens after a long day
Very rarely
5. Do you often have a headache?
Few times a week
Several times a month
No more than once every few months
6. Do you ever have a feeling of apathy, indifference and helplessness?
I live with him
Sometimes when I'm tired
Rarely, I'm generally a positive person
7. Do you notice severe weakness in the evening, increased fatigue during exercise, dry mouth?
Yes. I come home and immediately go to bed. Physical activity I try to avoid
No, sometimes I get tired, but in moderation
8. Have you checked in pathological changes in previous urine tests?
Yes, repeatedly
It was once
9. Do you ever have cloudy or dark urine?
There was something similar
10.B Lately Have you noticed that the amount of urine has increased with the same amount of fluid consumed?
Yes. Maybe not even just recently
Maybe. But I didn't count how much I drank
Nothing like it
11. Have you suffered any infectious diseases kidney?
There was pyelonephritis/glomerulonephritis
Once transferred
No never
12. Do you suffer from diabetes, gout, hypertension, or systemic diseases? Do you have congenital anomalies kidney structure?
Yes, with frequent exacerbations
Yes, but I'm undergoing therapy and everything is calm
Kidneys are an important human organ. The main function they perform is the separation of the products formed during metabolic processes harmful wastes coming from environment toxins, medicines and other substances. It is necessary to undergo examinations and tests once a year to check the condition of the kidneys, since diseases of this organ can be asymptomatic.
Instructions
A general clinical blood test can reveal the presence inflammatory process in the body, including the kidneys. An increase in erythrocyte sedimentation rate and a pathological increase in leukocytes in the blood are detected in various inflammatory processes, acute and chronic infections. Blood for general clinical analysis is taken from a finger prick in the morning on an empty stomach.
It is necessary to donate blood for a biochemical study, including quantitative determination of the level of total protein, urea,
creatinine
uric acid
Potassium and sodium. Normal level of total protein in blood
adult
human is 62-83 g/l. One of the reasons for the decrease in the amount of total protein in the blood may be its increased loss in urine in kidney diseases.
The normal level of urea content in the blood of an adult is considered to be 3.5-8.3 mmol/l. An increase in urea content is important sign impaired renal excretory function. Together with urea in the blood, the creatinine content is determined. Creatinine values depend on volume muscle mass, therefore the norm depends on the gender of the person taking the test. For men this is: 44-100 µmol/l, for women: 44-88 µmol/l. In the presence of kidney dysfunction, creatinine in the blood increases.
With kidney disease, the amount of potassium and sodium increases. Blood sampling for biochemical testing is carried out in the morning on an empty stomach. It is acceptable to drink a glass of water on the day of the test. On the eve of the study, you should follow a diet that excludes the consumption of fatty and fried foods.
A general clinical urine test is the main test to confirm the presence of kidney dysfunction. Urine is submitted for general analysis in the morning, after taking a shower with soap. An average portion of freshly released urine is collected in a sterile container for biological material, purchased at a pharmacy. The container is marked with the last name, first name, patronymic and date of delivery and is delivered to the laboratory in a short time.
Changes in urine color, relative density, reaction, and the presence of turbidity occur when the filtration capacity of the kidneys is impaired. An increase in the amount of protein, red blood cells, leukocytes, and the appearance of casts (granular, waxy, epithelial, erythrocyte) occurs with changes in the functioning of the urinary system.
The tests required to check your kidneys are carried out in specialized laboratories. Research is performed based on a doctor’s referral
for free
You can take tests for a fee without a doctor’s referral.
What tests are needed to check your kidneys?
Kidney diseases
List the kidney diseases, identified according to the structural and functional principle:
a) pyelonephritis
B) glomerulopathy
B) tubulopathy
d) polycystic disease
e) nephrosclerosis
The main factor in the development of glomerulonephritis is:
b) necrosis of the tubular epithelium
B) formation of immune complexes
G) fatty degeneration tubular epithelium
e) hyalinosis of arterioles
Name the main tissue reactions in various types of glomerulonephritis:
a) increased vascular permeability
B) hypercellularity of the glomeruli
B) thickening of the basement membrane
D) hyalinosis and sclerosis
D) intraglomerular thrombosis
Name the options for damage to the renal glomeruli according to the scale and location of the lesion:
A) global
b) common
B) segmental
D) diffuse
D) local
Segmental damage to the renal glomeruli are lesions:
a) all glomeruli
b) the whole glomerulus
c) parts of the renal glomeruli
D) parts of the renal glomerulus
d) one glomerulus
Focal damage to the renal glomeruli are lesions:
a) all glomeruli
b) the whole glomerulus
B) parts of the renal glomeruli
d) parts of the renal glomerulus
d) one glomerulus
Name the forms of damage to the renal glomeruli in glomerulonephritis, depending on the mechanism of formation of immune complexes (IC):
a) damage by insoluble IR
B) damage by circulating IR
B) damage to IR formed in the bloodstream
D) damage to IR formed outside the vessels
E) damage in situ - formed by IR
The leading mechanism of damage to the renal glomeruli during the development of most forms of glomerulonephritis is associated with:
a) deposition of circulating IR
B) in situ deposition of IR
c) deposition of insoluble IR
d) formation of IC in the vascular bed
D) formation of IR in the vascular bed
Name experimental models of glomerulonephritis that reflect damage to the renal glomeruli by immune complexes formed in situ:
A) anti-GBM nephritis
B) active Hyman nephritis
B) antiepithelial cell nephritis
D) passive Hyman jade
D) anti-Thy 1.1-nephritis
In inflammatory glomerulopathies, immune complexes are deposited:
A) under the endothelium of the glomerular capillaries
b) in Bowman's capsule
B) in the glomerular basement membrane
D) in the mesangial matrix
D) between the podocyte stalks
Depending on the nature of the course, the following forms of glomerulonephritis are distinguished:
A) spicy
b) proteinuric
B) subacute
D) chronic
e) nephrotic
Name the forms of glomerulonephritis based on the topography of the process:
a) papillary
b) periglomerular
c) mesangial
D) intracapillary
D) extracapillary
Specify the duration of acute glomerulonephritis:
a) up to 2 months
b) up to 6 months
B) up to 1 year
d) up to 1.5 years
d) up to 3 years
Name the most common morphological equivalent of acute glomerulonephritis:
A) intracapillary productive glomerulonephritis
b) intracapillary exudative glomerulonephritis
c) extracapillary serous glomerulonephritis
d) extracapillary fibrinous glomerulonephritis
e) extracapillary hemorrhagic glomerulonephritis
The development of acute glomerulonephritis is usually associated with the following microorganisms:
a) chlamydia
b) mycoplasma
c) ureaplasma
d) staphylococci
D) streptococci
Macroscopic characteristics of the kidneys in acute glomerulonephritis:
A) increased
b) reduced
B) flabby
d) dense
D) with red specks
Macroscopic name of the kidneys in acute glomerulonephritis:
a) big red buds
b) large white buds
B) large variegated buds
d) primary wrinkled buds
e) secondary wrinkled buds
Acute glomerulonephritis is characterized by the following variant of the main tissue reaction:
a) thickening of the basement membrane
B) multicellularity of glomeruli
c) increased vascular permeability
d) hyalinosis and sclerosis
e) intraglomerular thrombosis
Causes of glomerular hypercellularity in acute glomerulonephritis:
a) proliferation of epithelial cells
B) proliferation of endothelial cells
c) proliferation of fibroblasts
D) proliferation of mesangial cells
E) deposition of IR on the glomerular basement membrane
In a 6 year old boy 2 weeks after acute infection upper respiratory tract Oliguria, proteinuria, hematuria and generalized edema appeared. A study of a kidney biopsy revealed hypercellularity of the glomeruli as a result of proliferation of endothelial and mesangial cells and infiltration of the glomeruli by neutrophils and macrophages. Your conclusion:
A) acute glomerulonephritis
b) semilunar glomerulonephritis
c) diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis
d) lipoid nephrosis
e) membranous nephropathy
What are the synonyms for subacute glomerulonephritis:
a) mesangial glomerulonephritis
B) rapidly progressing glomerulonephritis
c) non-streptococcal glomerulonephritis
D) glomerulonephritis with crescents
e) membranous nephropathy
Name the morphological equivalent of chronic glomerulonephritis:
a) intracapillary productive glomerulonephritis
B) extracapillary productive glomerulonephritis
c) intracapillary exudative glomerulonephritis
d) extracapillary serous glomerulonephritis
e) extracapillary fibrinous glomerulonephritis
Name the cells that form “crescents” in extracapillary productive glomerulonephritis:
a) endothelial cells
B) podocytes
c) mesangial cells
D) nephrothelium
e) convoluted tubule nephrocytes
Name the main groups of rapidly progressing glomerulonephritis:
a) non-streptococcal
B) post-infectious
c) chronic
D) for systemic diseases
D) idiopathic
In patients with Goodpasture syndrome, the development of rapidly progressing glomerulonephritis is associated with the appearance of antibodies to:
a) endothelial cells of the proximal tubules
b) podocytes
B) glomerular basement membrane
d) mesangial cells
e) proteins of neutrophil granules
In Goodpasture syndrome, circulating antibodies to the glomerular basement membrane cross-react with antigens:
a) brush border of the epithelium of the proximal tubules
b) mesangial cells
c) basement membranes of brain capillaries
D) basement membranes of the pulmonary alveoli
e) basement membranes of skin capillaries
Macroscopic characteristics of the kidneys in subacute glomerulonephritis:
a) kidneys are reduced
b) kidneys are enlarged
B) uniformly full-blooded
D) pale
D) petechial hemorrhages on the surface
Macroscopic name of the kidneys in subacute glomerulonephritis:
a) large white buds
B) large variegated buds
c) large sebaceous buds
d) large yellow buds
D) large red buds
Specify the outcomes of subacute glomerulonephritis:
a) recovery
b) renal amyloidosis
B) glomerulosclerosis
D) secondary wrinkled buds
D) chronic renal failure
Thickening of the glomerular basement membrane leads to the development of:
a) nephritic syndrome
B) nephrotic syndrome
c) acute glomerulonephritis
d) cystic renal dysplasia
e) proliferative glomerulonephritis
Nephrotic syndrome is characterized by:
A) hyperlipidemia
B) proteinuria
B) hypoalbuminemia
d) formation of “crescents”
D) generalized edema
Lipoid nephrosis can only be correctly diagnosed when:
a) immunohistochemical study
b) cytological examination
c) histological examination
D) electron microscopic examination
d) immunocytochemical study
Minimal change disease is characterized by:
a) proliferation of endothelial cells
b) the formation of “crescents”
c) degranulation of mast cells
D) reduction of podocyte process feet
e) the presence of IC deposits in the glomeruli
What are the clinical and morphological characteristics of minimal change disease:
A) peak incidence in childhood
b) peak incidence in old age
B) reduction of podocyte process feet
D) responds well to steroid therapy
e) does not respond well to steroid therapy
The development of nephrotic syndrome is caused by:
a) rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis
B) membranous nephropathy
B) lipoid nephrosis
d) acute glomerulonephritis
D) membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis
Membranous nephropathy accompanies the following diseases:
A) syphilis
b) tuberculosis
B) systemic lupus erythematosus
D) colon cancer
D) diabetes mellitus
Thickening of the glomerular basement membrane in membranous nephropathy is caused by:
a) activation of proteases in podocytes
b) mesangial sclerosis
B) deposition of IR
D) imperfect elimination of IC
e) proliferation of podocytes
What are the clinical and morphological characteristics of membranous nephropathy:
a) occurs in children
B) occurs in adults
B) deposition of IR in the glomerular basement membrane
D) progresses to chronic renal failure
What are the clinical and morphological characteristics of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis:
A) genetic predisposition
b) more common in women
B) sclerosis of part of the glomeruli
D) sclerosis of part of the glomerular segments
D) increase in mesangial matrix
A patient who uses heroin has developed proteinuria. Examination of a kidney biopsy revealed obliteration of the capillary loops of some glomeruli. Your conclusion:
a) glomerulonephritis with “crescents”
b) minimal change disease
c) lipoid nephrosis
D) focal segmental glomerulosclerosis
e) renal amyloidosis
Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis is characterized by:
A) IR deposits in the glomerular basement membrane
B) proliferation of mesangial cells
B) interposition of mesangium
D) the phenomenon of “tram tracks”
e) proliferation of podocytes
Clinical and morphological characteristics of Berger's disease:
a) men get sick more often
B) recurrent hematuria
B) deposits of IgA in the mesangium
d) progresses to acute renal failure
e) proliferation of endothelial cells
Macroscopic characteristics of the kidneys in chronic glomerulonephritis:
a) asymmetrically reduced
B) symmetrically reduced
c) flabby
D) dense
D) fine-grained surface
During a pathological examination of a 60-year-old man, patient chronic glomerulonephritis for 12 years, small, dense, fine-grained kidneys, fibrinous inflammation of the serous and mucous membranes, dystrophic changes in the myocardium and liver, pulmonary edema were found:
a) fibrinous pneumonia
b) fibrinous pericarditis
B) azotemic uremia
d) myocardial dystrophy
e) diphtheritic colitis
Name the main complications of acute pyelonephritis:
a) cerebral edema
B) papillary necrosis
B) pyonephrosis
d) pulmonary edema
D) perinephritic abscess
Name the morphological equivalent of acute renal failure:
a) lipoid nephrosis
B) necrotic nephrosis
c) Alport syndrome
d) paraproteinuric nephrosis
e) glomerular sclerosis
Macroscopic name of the kidneys in the outcome of chronic glomerulonephritis:
a) primary wrinkled buds
B) secondary wrinkled buds
c) large variegated buds
d) large red buds
d) large white buds
Where is inflammation localized in glomerulonephritis:
a) renal glomeruli
b) renal tubules
B) stroma
D) pelvis
D) calyxes
A 25-year-old pregnant woman's body temperature increased to 38 C, dysuria and pain appeared in the lumbar region on the right. In the urine there are neutrophilic leukocytes and bacteria. Diagnosed acute pyelonephritis. Risk factors:
a) age
B) pregnancy
d) errors in diet
e) fever and pyuria
What changes develop in the heart with azotemic uremia:
a) Libman–Sachs endocarditis
B) fibrous pericarditis
c) brown peat of the myocardium
d) myocardial hypertrophy
e) fatty degeneration of the myocardium
How to check your kidneys - everyone who is concerned about their health should know the answer to this question. There are quite a few types of diagnostics performed to examine the kidneys; Your general practitioner or nephrologist will tell you which one is indicated specifically in your case. Each test is carried out after certain preparation.
Who needs to have their kidneys examined?
It won’t hurt anyone to find out how the body’s main filter feels. Moreover, most studies are harmless, do not require special preparation and are performed fairly quickly. By medical indications A kidney examination is required in the following cases:
- an increase in blood pressure above 139/89 mm Hg was detected.
- decreased amount of urine
- night urination
- heaviness, pain or discomfort in the lumbar region
- painful urination
- bad smell urine
- change in the color of urine, especially the appearance of blood in it
- when anemia (low hemoglobin) is detected without acute or chronic blood loss
- as a diagnostic urolithiasis: planned - when your diet is rich in meat and salty products, you like chocolate, beer, offal, sorrel, spinach, legumes; urgently – when signs of kidney stones appear
- when dehydrated due to elevated temperature, vomiting, diarrhea, shortness of breath
- if you are taking medications that are toxic to the kidneys: diuretics, Aspirin (“ Salicylic acid"), "Biseptol", "Acyclovir", "Amikacin", some other drugs
- An ultrasound of the kidneys and blood and urine tests are indicated if you feel unexplained malaise in the evenings, a low temperature rise (up to 37.5°C)
- for diabetes mellitus, systemic lupus, some other systemic diseases
- with a palpable formation in the abdominal cavity
What types of kidney diagnostics are there?
There are two main types of tests, based on the results of which the doctor can judge the condition of the kidneys:
- laboratory methods that can help you get an idea of changes in kidney function
- instrumental diagnostics: its methods make it possible to judge changes in the structure of the kidneys and urinary tract, and urography of the kidneys also provides information about the excretory function of the paired organ.
What are the laboratory diagnostic methods?
A laboratory examination of the kidneys includes the examination of two main biological fluids - blood and urine.
Substances such as urea, creatinine, and uric acid are determined in the blood (blood from a vein is donated for this). Based on a general blood test (it is taken from a finger), one can only draw a conclusion about the presence of anemia, the presence and degree of inflammation (without localization of the latter). Both tests are taken on an empty stomach.
In urine, the number of cells such as leukocytes, epithelium, and red blood cells is determined. The specific gravity, the presence of cylinders, protein and glucose, as well as pathological formations: salts, bacteria, fungi, mucus or other impurities are assessed. Urine has collection features depending on the type of analysis (general, according to Zimnitsky or Nechiporenko). It is advisable for everyone to undergo a general analysis at least once every six months; there are indications for taking the other two and the Rehberg test.
Instrumental methods
At the moment, there are four types of diagnostic instrumental studies used to assess the structure of renal tissue:
- Ultrasound examination (ultrasound of the kidneys) is a method that will only assess the structure, but not the function of the kidneys and urinary tract. Can be performed once a year as a routine examination.
- Kidney x-ray: under this common name Several methods are “hidden” when an X-ray tube is used to visualize organs. Some require contrast injection (into a vein or urinary tract), for others this is not necessary. This group of methods includes CT scan kidney All of them are used strictly according to indications.
- Radionuclide scintigraphy is a study of the kidneys using the injection of a radioisotope substance. Use only as prescribed by a doctor.
- Magnetic resonance imaging. In this case, layer-by-layer visualization of the organ is provided by a special magnet. Unlike the previous two cases, there is no harmful radiation, but the method must be used according to indications.
Prevention of kidney disease is not only about following certain rules, but also in annual examination by using general analysis urine and ultrasound of the kidneys. Other studies are carried out according to indications.
Thus, it is necessary to check the kidneys; many problems with this extremely important organ can be detected in the early stages. This way you can start adequate therapy on time and, accordingly, maintain your health.
- Appointment with a urologist, how to choose a good doctor
- Why is kidney x-ray so good?
- CT scan of the kidneys is a harmless and important procedure
- Ultrasound of the bladder through the eyes of the layman
- Urography of the kidneys: subtleties of the procedure
Kidneys are a vital part of the body. They remove waste, filtering more than 200 liters of blood daily, maintain blood pressure, control homeostasis, metabolism and are responsible for the synthesis of certain hormones.
Kidneys are designed to function for 150-200 years. However, many of us, being careless about our health, use up this reserve in less than 40 years.
After passing the test, you will be able to general outline assess the condition of your excretory system. Remember that the later you discover kidney disease, the more difficult it will be to treat.
Do you have lower back pain - to the left and/or right of the spine?
B) Occasionally
B) Never
Do you have edema (swelling) under your eyes?
A) Constantly
B) Sometimes in the morning
Is it difficult for you to get into your shoes or take off your rings in the evening? Do the elastic bands of socks leave marks on your feet?
A) Yes, I had to give up rings, with the exception of the wedding ring
B) Sometimes it happens, especially if I drink a lot of liquid
Do you feel heaviness in your legs?
A) Yes, often
B) Happens after a long day
B) Very rarely
A) Several times a week
B) Several times a month
C) No more often than once every few months
A) I live with him
B) Sometimes when I'm tired
C) Rarely, I am generally a positive person
Do you notice severe weakness in the evening, increased fatigue during exercise, or dry mouth?
A) Yes. I come home and immediately go to bed. I try to avoid physical activity.
B) No, sometimes I get tired, but in moderation.
Have you had any abnormal changes in previous urine tests?
B) It was once
Do you ever have cloudy or dark urine?
B) There was something similar
Have you recently noticed that your urine output has increased despite the same amount of fluid you are drinking?
A) Yes. Maybe not even just recently
B) Perhaps. But I didn't count how much I drank.
B) Nothing like that
Have you had any kidney infections?
A) There was pyelonephritis/glomerulonephritis, even several times
B) Once upon a time
B) No, never
Do you suffer from diabetes, gout, hypertension, systemic diseases? Do you have congenital abnormalities of the kidney structure?
A) Yes, with frequent exacerbations (crises)
B) Yes, but I’m undergoing therapy and everything is calm
Let's summarize:
If you have more "A" answers: Your kidneys are not to be envied. You may already know about the existence kidney disease. If not, your body is simply screaming about it and demanding help. You need to adhere strict diet(abstain from alcohol, meat, spices, salt), drink a lot and be sure to see a doctor for a proper diagnosis and prescription of drug therapy.
If you have more “B” answers: Something is wrong in your body. Are you very tired? Not in the mood? Do you often have a headache? Take care of yourself. Even if you don't have specific symptoms, such as lower back pain, we recommend that you consult a doctor and take a urine test. Early diagnosis will prevent the development of complications!
If you have more “B” answers: Your kidneys are fine! But you shouldn’t let everything go to chance: limit alcohol in your diet, drink water and juices (2 liters a day), try not to get too cold, and then your kidneys will last you the entire allotted time!
Probably every third inhabitant of the planet is familiar with this feeling: pulling in the lower back, weakness, chills, trips to the toilet have become more frequent.
And most people who get sick immediately begin to wonder what happened - whether their kidneys or back hurt, this or a disease genitourinary system and so on.
The question arises about how to check the kidneys at home or clinically: what needs to be done for this and what tests to take to check the kidneys. And what to do if your kidneys still hurt – which doctor to go to and how to treat them.
This and much more related to kidney diseases and their treatment will be discussed today in this article.
To the most common and brightest severe symptoms Kidney disease includes the following “sensations” and signs of the disease:
- regular increase in blood pressure (both persistent and single);
- the presence of edema - permanent or temporary (morning or evening);
- change in urine color;
- constant desire visit the toilet as little as possible, especially at night;
- change in the volume of urine excreted (with a constant diet and drinking regimen);
- pulling, stabbing, aching pain in the lumbar region, lower abdomen;
- weakness, chills, dry mouth, shortness of breath, and so on.
How to check your kidneys - whether they hurt or not - at home?
Nagging pain in the lumbar region and lower abdomen can occur at the most various reasons for diseases of many organs.
Pain symptom, along with general weakness, chills, fever and feeling unwell may be a sign of the following diseases:
- cystitis;
- inflammation of the appendages;
- bladder stones;
- gynecological diseases infectious origin;
- threat of miscarriage during pregnancy;
- adhesions and inflammatory processes after abortion or caesarean section;
- problems with the spine;
- mechanical damage internal organs, due to falls or blows, and so on.
That is why the question of how to check the condition of the kidneys at home and find out what exactly hurts is so relevant.
Location of the kidneys in humans
Kidneys are vital important organ. Although it is paired, it is still better to start treatment on time.
Advanced kidney diseases can threaten not only lifelong disability, but also fatal.
There are two ways to determine whether your kidneys are hurting or something else: see a doctor, or check it at home.
To check your kidneys at home, do the following:
- pay attention to the type of pain– sharp, stabbing, sudden indicates, but aching and constant indicates that the disease is most likely chronic;
- Pay close attention to the color of your urine, especially in the morning– if there are impurities of blood, mucus, sediment, flakes, then you should immediately go to a specialist;
- pay attention to the volume of urine per day– collect the entire allocated volume in one container and measure the amount. A healthy adult will excrete at least two liters of fluid. But be careful - a lot depends on the drinking regime and nutrition of the sick person;
- take a complete look at yourself– have swelling appeared? This is especially true for the fingers, toes, face (especially the upper and lower eyelids), as well as the lumbar region. If you have swelling, your kidneys are most likely going through hard times.
Many patients, by the way, do not know which doctor checks the kidneys and what he does for this. In addition, many are interested in the question of what urine test to take to check their kidneys. It is worth understanding these issues in more detail and bringing maximum clarity.
Of course, at home it is very difficult to determine whether your kidneys are bothering you or some other disease. And it’s completely impossible to make an accurate and correct diagnosis and prescribe treatment - you can’t do it without the help of a doctor.Examination by a doctor
When your kidneys hurt, you should either contact your general practitioner, who will refer you to a more specialized specialist that you need, or visit a nephrologist.
A competent specialist in his field always knows how to check kidney function , and can prescribe adequate treatment that alleviates and subsequently eliminates your disease.
The doctor who is checking your kidneys will do the following:
- will ask you to tell us a little about the beginning of the disease - how you noticed the disease, how it all began, how you feel now, whether you feel better or worse, whether you had a fever, and so on;
- then the doctor will conduct an examination, that is, palpation. Sometimes the procedure can be painful, but quite tolerable. The specialist will assess the general condition of the body, note external changes, and try to estimate the size of the kidneys;
- then you will be prescribed the necessary examinations: MRI, tests, consultations with other doctors, biopsy (possibly) and so on. The specialist himself will tell you what tests you need to take to check your kidneys, and how exactly they need to be taken. Most often, blood and urine are given - a general analysis, and then everything depends on the course of the disease;
- Once the examination results are ready, the doctor will be able to accurately determine what your treatment strategy will be, whether surgery or hospitalization is required, and will also give you an approximate prognosis for the course of the disease.
Necessary tests
Most patients think about how to check their kidneys, what tests need to be taken, whether the procedures for collecting tests will be painful, and so on.
There are several types of tests that are taken if kidney disease is suspected, as well as to determine the progress of treatment.
A general urine test allows you to quickly (and, if necessary, instantly) determine the main problems of the body.
Shows the level of protein, salts, urea and other substances in the human body. From this analysis alone, the doctor can predict with 75% accuracy what disease has overtaken you.
This test is given in small quantities - no more than 30-50 grams of urine. It is advisable to provide a morning portion for analysis. But if you urgently need to know the result, then collecting material at any time of the day is allowed.
General urine analysis
On the eve of this analysis, it is better not to consume foods and substances that can turn the urine dark or any other color, for example, beets.
It is also not recommended to take antibiotics (if you are constantly taking any medications, you must inform your doctor about them), dairy products, as well as fatty and spicy foods. Otherwise, the results of the analysis (not only this, but all others) may show unreliable data.
A general blood test, or the well-known “finger blood”, allows you to notice the slightest changes in the human body, shows the level of cholesterol, leukocytes, red blood cells and other important parameters.
In general, the rules for preparing for the test are the same as for taking a general urine test. You can donate blood from your finger on a full stomach at any time of the day.
A biochemical blood test is a comprehensive and full analysis, allowing you to find out everything about the patient. It is “biochemistry” that allows you to “specify” the diagnosis and accurately select treatment.
Blood is donated for biochemical research from a vein, always on an empty stomach. The principles of preparing for analysis are the same. It's also worth paying attention Special attention on the use of blood thinning drugs - aspirin, Cardio Magnyl and others. These drugs contribute to significant distortion of test results.
Blood chemistry
You also need to avoid drinking alcohol, fatty and spicy foods, smoked meats, dairy products, and kvass at least a day before the test. Only if all these measures are followed will the analysis be reliable and the diagnosis correct.
If a person has “bags” under the eyes, and the skin becomes gray and dry, it means that there is a malfunction in the urinary system. You should not postpone a visit to a specialist to examine the kidneys and adrenal glands, as well as assess their functional activity.
A urologist or nephrologist will tell you how to check your kidneys. During the diagnosis, you will be able to avoid severe complications. Treatment for early stage any disease allows you to quickly achieve the desired results, avoid unwanted surgical intervention.
When to go to the doctor
It is rare to meet a person who regularly undergoes a complete examination of the body. Most people put off visiting a doctor, swallow handfuls of pills and convince themselves that the pain, stinging, and tingling will soon disappear. And only when symptoms worsen do they make an appointment. This tactic is extremely dangerous, especially when the kidneys hurt.
Paired organs rid the blood of waste and toxins, regulate blood pressure, and take part in metabolism. Even a slight disruption in their work will quickly affect the functioning of all life systems.
Modern methods for diagnosing kidneys are painless and do not cause any discomfort to a person. People with the following types of kidney damage should definitely undergo an examination procedure:
- high blood pressure;
- frequent night urination;
- decrease in the volume of urine excreted;
- pain in the lower abdomen and lumbar region;
- increased body temperature;
- burning and stinging when emptying the bladder;
- change in the color and smell of urine.
A kidney examination should not be postponed if even one of the above-described symptoms of malfunction of the urinary system appears. Experts recommend conducting a thorough diagnosis of paired organs twice a year.
Full medical checkup It is important for people with congenital or acquired kidney pathologies. If there is a hereditary predisposition to urolithiasis or glomerulonephritis, it is necessary to regularly examine the child from infancy.
If you experience nagging pain in your side, you should check your kidney function.
Diagnosis at home
It is not possible to conduct a full kidney check at home. But if you suspect a disruption in their functioning, you should determine the area where the pain is localized and try to analyze your sensations:
- sharp, acute spasms indicate a rapidly developing inflammatory process in the structural elements of the kidneys (calyces, pelvis, parenchyma, tubules);
- nagging, aching pains that appear during hypothermia or eating spicy foods occur with sluggish chronic pathologies.
You can also check your urine at home for foreign impurities. To do this, you need to collect urine in a transparent container and carefully examine it. If fresh blood is detected, dark blood clots, flakes, cheesy sediment, you must make an appointment for a consultation with a urologist.
A 24-hour urine test will help evaluate your kidney function. Within 24 hours, you need to collect urine in a calibrated container, and then measure the resulting volume. If it does not exceed 1.5-1.8 liters, then the kidneys have lost the ability to fully filter blood and secrete urine. A significant volume (more than 2.5 liters) means that the urine contains little uric acid and its compounds, waste products and protein breakdown products. The kidneys cannot fully concentrate urine, which causes serious damage to the entire body.
Kidneys should be examined if urine color changes
What tests are the most informative?
After external examination the patient and listening to his complaints, the urologist will tell you where to start the examination and what tests are necessary. As a rule, the results of laboratory and biochemical research urine and blood. The content of white and red blood cells, as well as epithelial tissues, is determined in urine. The clarity, color and specific gravity of urine must be assessed. The concentration of casts, proteins and glucose is a determining factor in the presence of an infectious focus in the kidneys.
An informative method for studying the functioning of paired organs is the daily volume of urine. It is necessary to submit to the laboratory urine collected during the day, excluding the first emptying of the bladder. In this way, it is possible not only to establish the presence of an inflammatory focus, but also the location of its localization in one of the organs of the urinary system.
In order to determine the type of pathogenic pathogen, laboratory technicians inoculate a biological sample in a nutrient medium. This method reveals the sensitivity of microorganisms to antibacterial drugs that will be used in treatment.
- from a finger to establish or refute the inflammatory process and the extent of its spread;
- from a vein to determine the concentration of proteins and urea.
For reliable results tests, you must not eat food 12 hours before the procedure. If you suspect an endocrine etiology of decreased functional activity of the kidneys, you should not drink any liquid or even brush your teeth. People with systemic diseases need laboratory tests every 6 months.
Modern diagnostic methods
After studying and evaluating the results obtained laboratory tests it is necessary to examine the kidneys to determine the extent of their damage. The doctor chooses diagnostic methods depending on the patient’s age and the expected disease. Research methods that use radiation are strictly prohibited for pregnant women.
Computed tomography is used to examine the kidneys.
Such informative examination procedures as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are not prescribed for young children and people with mental pathologies. During the kidney check, it is necessary to remain completely still for an hour, which these categories of patients are incapable of. The following studies are usually carried out at varying levels of complexity:
- ultrasonography. The procedure allows you to assess the condition of the cups, pelvis and tubules, differentiate between benign and malignant neoplasms, determine the localization of the infectious focus. The study allows you to detect stones in the kidneys or bladder and suggest them chemical composition. This is the only diagnostic method that has no contraindications and does not require special preparation;
- urography. The method is indispensable for establishing the degree of damage to the kidney vessels and assessing the blood supply to the organs of the urinary system. Before the procedure, patients are injected with a contrast agent. After it spreads through the veins, arteries and capillaries, the smallest vessels are visualized on the computer screen. Urography is contraindicated for people who have individual sensitivity to contrast agents;
- X-ray examination. During the procedure, the human body receives a dose of radiation that is considered safe. The photographs are not always informative, since the images are obtained only in one or two projections;
- scintigraphy. The static method allows you to determine the shape of the kidneys, their location relative to each other, and assess the degree of damage to the pelvis and calyces. When conducting dynamic scintigraphy Patients are injected with a contrast agent. On the monitor screen, the specialist monitors the movement of blood through the pelvic vessels in real time, checks the integrity of the veins, arteries and capillaries;
- Magnetic resonance imaging. The procedure is contraindicated for patients with pacemakers, metal dental implants, and even tattoos. There are also some restrictions for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Modern technique diagnostics allows you to obtain three-dimensional images of the kidneys and evaluate the functioning of the only kidney after removal of the other. After completing the study, the patient receives a transcript of the results within 15-20 minutes;
- CT scan. This method diagnosis is carried out to study possible damage to the renal structural elements, assess the effectiveness of the prescribed treatment, and determine the area of surgical intervention. Using CT, you can evaluate the condition of the kidney before making a decision to remove the second one.
When examining the kidneys, the urologist always examines the bladder using cystoscopy. To do this, a thin catheter with a built-in camera is inserted into the hollow organ, and the diagnostic results are visualized on a computer screen.
Cystoscopy is an auxiliary method for recognizing a decrease in the functional activity of the kidneys. If blood or pus is found in the urine, then it is necessary to determine the location of the inflammatory focus.
Ultrasound is an effective method for checking the kidneys
Many modern methods diagnostics are contraindicated or are of little information for some patients (pregnant women, people with prostheses containing metal). Using endoscopic techniques, we examine urethra and bladder. By installing the built-in camera so that the opening of the ureters is in the field of view, you can find out whether the kidney is bleeding.
After all laboratory and instrumental studies have been completed, a biopsy sometimes becomes necessary.
This morphological diagnostic method is used to differentiate malignant and benign neoplasms kidneys, liver, lungs. Using a special endoscopic instrument, a small piece of a biological sample is pinched off for further research in the laboratory.
For those people who care about their health, unexpected diagnoses are not scary. They undergo all examinations on time and immediately make an appointment with a doctor if things worsen. general condition or when pathological signs inflammation. Diagnosing kidney disease at an early stage allows you to avoid long-term treatment in a hospital setting.
