Kidney Disorders
What is Kidney Disorders?
Kidney disorders are conditions that damage your kidneys and reduce their ability to filter waste from your blood. Your kidneys are two bean-shaped organs that clean about 200 quarts of blood every day. They remove excess water, toxins, and waste products while keeping essential nutrients in your bloodstream. When your kidneys stop working properly, dangerous levels of waste and fluid can build up in your body.
Chronic kidney disease is the most common type of kidney disorder. It develops slowly over months or years as kidney function gradually declines. Acute kidney injury happens suddenly, often due to severe illness, infection, or medication side effects. Both conditions can progress to kidney failure if left untreated. Early detection through blood testing gives you the best chance to slow or stop kidney damage.
Kidney disorders affect more than 37 million adults in the United States. Many people have early stage kidney disease without knowing it because symptoms often appear only after significant damage has occurred. Regular blood testing can catch kidney problems before you feel sick. This allows you to make lifestyle changes and work with your doctor to protect your remaining kidney function.
Symptoms
- Fatigue and weakness that does not improve with rest
- Swelling in your ankles, feet, or legs from fluid retention
- Decreased urine output or changes in urine color
- Foamy or bubbly urine indicating protein in your urine
- Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
- Muscle cramps, especially in your legs
- Nausea and loss of appetite
- Dry, itchy skin
- Frequent urination, especially at night
- Shortness of breath from fluid buildup
Many people with early kidney disease have no symptoms at all. Your kidneys can lose up to 90% of their function before you feel noticeably sick. This makes blood testing essential for catching kidney problems before permanent damage occurs.
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Causes and risk factors
Diabetes and high blood pressure cause about two-thirds of all chronic kidney disease cases. High blood sugar levels from diabetes damage the tiny blood vessels in your kidneys over time. Uncontrolled blood pressure puts extra strain on these delicate filtering units. Heart disease, obesity, and family history of kidney disease also increase your risk significantly.
Other causes include autoimmune diseases, recurrent kidney infections, kidney stones, and prolonged use of certain medications like NSAIDs. Dehydration can trigger acute kidney injury, especially when combined with infection or medication use. People over age 60, smokers, and those with a history of acute kidney injury face higher risk. African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, and Asian Americans develop kidney disease at higher rates than other groups.
How it's diagnosed
Blood tests are the primary tools for diagnosing and monitoring kidney disorders. Chloride levels help assess your body's electrolyte balance, which kidneys regulate. Protein electrophoresis measures different protein types in your blood and can detect abnormal protein levels caused by kidney damage. Specific gravity in urine testing shows how well your kidneys concentrate urine, with abnormal results indicating possible kidney dysfunction.
Rite Aid offers testing for kidney disorders through our preventive health panel. Our flagship panel includes chloride testing, protein analysis, and specific gravity measurements. These tests help identify kidney problems early when treatment is most effective. Your results are available through Quest Diagnostics, giving you lab-quality testing at thousands of convenient locations.
Treatment options
- Control blood sugar levels if you have diabetes through diet, exercise, and medication
- Manage blood pressure with lifestyle changes and medications like ACE inhibitors or ARBs
- Follow a kidney-friendly diet lower in sodium, phosphorus, and potassium
- Limit protein intake to reduce strain on damaged kidneys
- Stay hydrated with the right amount of fluids for your condition
- Exercise regularly to maintain healthy weight and blood pressure
- Quit smoking to slow kidney damage progression
- Avoid NSAIDs and other medications that can harm kidneys
- Take prescribed medications like phosphate binders or erythropoietin
- Consider dialysis or kidney transplant for advanced kidney failure
Concerned about Kidney Disorders? Get tested at Rite Aid.
- Simple blood draw at your nearest lab
- Results in days, not weeks
- Share results with your doctor
Frequently asked questions
Early kidney disease often has no noticeable symptoms, which is why blood testing is so important. When symptoms do appear, you might notice fatigue, swelling in your legs or ankles, and changes in urination patterns. Foamy urine can indicate protein leakage, which is a sign of kidney damage. Regular blood tests can detect kidney problems years before you feel sick.
Blood tests measure substances that healthy kidneys normally regulate or filter. Chloride testing shows whether your kidneys are maintaining proper electrolyte balance. Protein electrophoresis detects abnormal protein levels that occur when damaged kidneys leak protein into urine. Specific gravity in urine testing reveals how well your kidneys concentrate waste, with abnormal results suggesting kidney dysfunction.
Acute kidney injury can sometimes be reversed if caught and treated quickly. Chronic kidney disease cannot be cured, but its progression can often be slowed or stopped with early treatment. Controlling blood sugar and blood pressure, following a kidney-friendly diet, and avoiding harmful medications can preserve remaining kidney function. The earlier you detect kidney damage, the better your chances of preventing further decline.
Acute kidney injury happens suddenly, usually within hours or days, often due to severe illness, infection, or dehydration. Chronic kidney disease develops slowly over months or years as kidney function gradually declines. Acute kidney injury may be reversible with prompt treatment, while chronic kidney disease causes permanent damage. Both conditions require medical attention and can progress to kidney failure if untreated.
People with diabetes, high blood pressure, or family history of kidney disease should get tested at least once a year. If you are over 60 or have other risk factors, annual testing helps catch problems early. Rite Aid offers twice-yearly testing through our preventive health subscription, which is ideal for ongoing kidney health monitoring. Your doctor may recommend more frequent testing if you already have kidney disease.
Limit foods high in sodium like processed meats, canned soups, and fast food. Reduce potassium-rich foods such as bananas, oranges, and tomatoes if your levels are high. Avoid excessive phosphorus from dairy products, nuts, and whole grains. Your specific dietary needs depend on your stage of kidney disease and blood test results, so work with a dietitian for personalized guidance.
Severe or prolonged dehydration can cause acute kidney injury by reducing blood flow to your kidneys. Chronic mild dehydration may contribute to kidney stone formation and urinary tract infections, which can damage kidneys over time. Staying properly hydrated helps your kidneys flush out toxins and waste products. However, people with advanced kidney disease may need to limit fluid intake, so follow your doctor's recommendations.
NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen can reduce kidney blood flow and cause damage with long-term use. Certain antibiotics, contrast dyes used in imaging tests, and some blood pressure medications can stress kidneys. Proton pump inhibitors for acid reflux have been linked to kidney problems when used long-term. Always tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you take so they can monitor your kidney function.
Yes, lifestyle changes are among the most effective ways to protect your kidneys. Controlling blood sugar and blood pressure through diet and exercise can significantly slow kidney damage. Quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, and following a kidney-friendly eating plan all help preserve kidney function. Studies show that people who make these changes often avoid or delay the need for dialysis.
Dialysis becomes necessary when your kidneys lose about 85 to 90% of their function and can no longer remove waste and excess fluid safely. Symptoms like severe fatigue, confusion, difficulty breathing, and dangerous electrolyte imbalances indicate the need for dialysis. Your doctor monitors your blood test results and symptoms to determine the right time to start. Early detection and treatment of kidney disease can help you avoid or delay dialysis for many years.