#glomerulonephritis Archives - All Things Kidney ~ Official

Infections that cause kidney damage

September 14, 2020May 21, 2021Leave a comment

Infections that cause kidney damage

In these times of the COVID-19 pandemic, several realizations came to the fore. One of them was how unaware, a big chunk of our society is, on how several infections irrespective of where they initially start, can cause kidney damage. Something that resulted in the death of many patients with COVID-19 – a respiratory illness.

So we at Team ATK decided to get to work and compile a comprehensive list of all infectious diseases which can potentially cause kidney damage, even if the initial infection starts elsewhere. Continue reading “Infections that cause kidney damage” →

Medicines can damage kidneys: Understanding Drug-induced Nephrotoxicity

August 28, 2020May 21, 2021Leave a comment

Medicines damage kidneys

Whatever we eat, drink or inject into our body circulates via blood through our kidneys. This tenet holds true for medicines as well.

All of you know that prescription medicines come with specific dose instructions. These comply with dosing protocols found “safe & effective” after rigorous clinical trials for that drug. The purpose of such fixed dosing is to ensure maximum benefit from the drug & minimize the chances of harmful side effects.

If such medicines are not taken following your healthcare provider’s instructions, or if it is an illegal substance, it can end up harming your kidneys!

Technically, such medicines are termed “Nephrotoxic”.

This article aims to provide an overview of which drugs can cause nephrotoxicity (kidney damage), when and how, plus how to protect yourself against it. Continue reading “Medicines can damage kidneys: Understanding Drug-induced Nephrotoxicity” →

Protein in Urine: What, How & Why

April 9, 2019February 9, 2023Leave a comment

WHAT IS PROTEINURIA?

The leakage of Plasma Protein in urine is technically termed as “Proteinuria” (pronounced as pro-teen-you-reah). These proteins are NOT the usual nutrient that you obtain from food. These are a different class of Proteins specially made by your Liver.

Plasma Proteins normally circulate in your bloodstream & help with a range of functions essential to keep you alive. Urine samples with Protein tend to be visibly foamy / frothy akin to the kind that you get after dissolving detergents in water. The extent of foam will certainly vary with the extent of protein leakage.

Continue reading “Protein in Urine: What, How & Why” →

Blood in Urine: Can it be resolved?

February 24, 2019February 9, 2023Leave a comment

Haematuria (Red blood cells in urine) is not a disease in itself. It is a “sign” that points to an abnormality within your body.

The treatment approach towards haematuria would require a confirmed diagnosis of the underlying cause and adopting relevant medical and/or corrective surgical approaches. Whether it can be resolved completely or not would entirely depend on its root cause.

Presenting here, the general pointers that guide your treatment plan for patients with Haematuria. Continue reading “Blood in Urine: Can it be resolved?” →

Blood in Urine: How to pinpoint the site of bleeding?

February 24, 2019January 23, 2023Leave a comment

Haematuria (blood in urine) is a common reason for “Red Urine” in patients with Kidney and Urinary tract diseases.

If you consult your doctor for reddish discoloration of your urine, your doctor will first:

Based on the clinical examination, you will be advised necessary laboratory-based tests to confirm the presence of blood in your urine.

These tests would also allow your doctor to get an approximate idea of where the blood could have been coming from, into your urine.

Continue reading “Blood in Urine: How to pinpoint the site of bleeding?” →

Blood in Urine: The Bare Basics of Haematuria

February 24, 2019January 23, 2023Leave a comment

Haematuria

WHAT IS HAEMATURIA?

Haematuria is the technical term for the presence of red blood cells (RBCs) in urine. This could range from minute quantities such that it is invisible to the naked eye (occult or hidden bleeding), to frank hematuria such that the urine assumes a reddish tinge to a cola-coloured appearance.

Red blood cells abundantly present in our bloodstream happen to carry a pigment called “Haemoglobin” within them. This is what gives our blood, a red colour and lends that reddish tinge to most urine samples that have blood in it.

Please note: For Haematuria, the urine sample must contain whole red blood cells and not just the red pigment of blood.

Continue reading “Blood in Urine: The Bare Basics of Haematuria” →