The kidneys ( that is the right and left) are a pair of organs that are small as beans yet of great importance in the body. From personal observation, a great percentage of Africans don't go for medical checkups to know the state of their health until they become very sick and some body functions start getting affected before they visit the hospital.

Agreed there are reasons why hospitals may not be affordable to everyone, however, information addressing certain conditions and diseases as well as their signs and symptoms are available from reliable sources on the internet.

It is for this reason that I would like us to review what kidney disease is all about, the signs and symptoms, stages, lifestyle, and factors that can trigger kidney problems apart from, genetic/hereditary factors.

Kidney disease simply means the inability of the kidney to perform its functions which includes the filtration of the blood and the removal of waste products effectively.

A report from the University of Kansas Health System, also stated that kidney disease can be “Acute" or “Chronic".
An acute kidney disease can be a result of injury done to one or both kidneys making them function ineffectively.

According to The UK National Health Service, A gradual loss of kidney function can result in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).
At this stage, dangerous levels of waste products begin to build in the body and the body retains more fluids than the required amount needed in the body (this causes the body to swell especially hands and feet).

Here is an interesting twist about kidney disease

Kidney disease can come with symptoms or no symptoms and a patient may not be aware until it reaches the final stage which is why regular checkups are advised.

You might be wondering why some people may develop kidney disease without getting any symptoms.

This can be because the kidneys can still perform their functions although at a reduced rate as the stages progress until there is a total failure of the kidney at a final stage.

The two most conducted tests that can determine the stages of Kidney damage or the level of waste the kidney can filter are the "Blood test" and "Urine test".
The blood test checks the level of Creatinine in the blood while the Urine test measures the quantity of protein (Albumin&Creatinine) in the urine.

Other tests available are
* Kidney biopsy
* MRI scan
* Ultrasound scan and
* CT scan

The estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) is the calculated Creatinine level in the blood. A change in a person's GFR can assist a doctor determine the extent of damage to the kidney and the type of treatment to be prescribed.

The presence and quantity of protein in the urine can determine the extent of damage that has occurred in the kidney.
This helps to give a clearer picture of how well the kidneys are working. It is done by measuring the Albumin and Creatinine Rates (ACR) in the urine.

There are 5 stages of Kidney damage according to one's GFR as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and NHS on Chronic kidney disease

Stage 1: the extent of damage is mild, the kidney still functions at 90% (90ml/min). A healthy kidney ought to filter more than 90 ml/min of the blood.

Stage 2: moderate loss of kidney function, rate reduces to about 89-69%

Stage 3a: moderate to severe loss of kidney function, bringing the rate to 59-45%
Stage 3b: rate drops from 44-30%

Stage 4: at this stage, there is a severe loss of functions. The symptoms would be more evident starting from this stage with a reduced rate of kidney function of 29-15%

Stage 5: the kidney has drastically lost most functions, the rate is now less than 15%

Symptoms of Chronic Kidney Disease

1. Insomnia or inability to sleep
2. Bloody urine
3. Poor or loss of appetite
4. Itchy skin
5. Weight loss
In severe cases
6. Frequent urination especially at night
7. Anaemia ( a few red blood cells or little haemoglobin in the blood resulting in fatigue or tiredness)
8. Swollen ankles and feet (Oedema)
9. Puffiness of the body

Factors that can trigger kidney-related issues and disease

Patients with the following ailments or conditions can cause kidney problems to develop or even lead to kidney disease if left unattended.
1. High Blood Pressure
2. Diabetes
3. Hereditary disorder or congenital birth defect
4. Recurrent urinary tract infection
5. Enlarged prostate
6. Kidney stones whose presence can cause infections that would lead to kidney failure.
7. Obesity

Lifestyles that can cause kidney problems

1. Consuming partially cooked food, unripe fruits, and nuts that can cause kidney stone
2. Inadequate intake of water
3. Excess consumption of alcohol
4. Overuse of painkillers
5. Not getting enough sleep
6. Eating a lot of processed foods and
7. Too much salt and protein in one's diet.

With this information and more to come, it is important to note the changes in your body, cut down on excessive use or misuse of certain painkillers and steroids that can affect the kidney in the long run, and take care of underlying conditions that can trigger kidney diseases.