Surviving John

Many kidney conditions generally arise over a period of years. It ordinarily takes a long time for kidney problem symptoms to grow to the point where you know that you have kidney trouble. But after blood vessels in the kidneys are injured to a certain degree, the kidneys will not purify the blood as it should be. This causes a decrease in kidney function and kidney failure could happen. failed kidneys will be fatal without a kidney transplant or dialysis for the rest of your life. are overlooked, the kidneys could stop working completely, which is a life threatening medical emergency.

Typical kidney problem symptoms involve the following:

* urinary problems that can feel similar to a bladder infection: a painful feeling during urination, along with the feeling that you need to urinate repeatedly and urgently, although very little urine is produced,

* dark, cloudy or blood-tinged urine,

* swelling, especially in the feet,

* fever,

* back pain, especially if you also have kidney stones,

* grogginess, loss of stamina and muscle weakness,

* loss of desire for food,

* memory difficulty and an lack of ability to think intelligibly.

Of course, some kidney problem symptoms are similar to other medical conditions, so go to see your doctor for an correct diagnosis.

A condition known as nephrotoxicity occurs when the body is exposed to a toxin or drugs that harm the kidneys. When kidney damage occurs, toxins and waste products intensify in the blood. Blood electrolytes like potassium and magnesium are higher, and creatinine in the blood will also be increased.

There are several probable causes for kidney failure. Diabetes and hypertension are among the most dangerous reasons someone has kidney trouble. Many people appreciate they have these diseases but they may not know that they are at a much higher danger for kidney disease at the same time. Once again, kidney damage mostly occurs slowly but surely over years and in both kidneys. Because there are no observable symptoms of kidney problems in the beginning, you are not mindful that it happens.

If you are now suffering from diabetes, you can avoid kidney disease by keeping your blood sugar under control.

Anyone with high blood pressure is also at a greater risk for kidney problems.. When you have high blood pressure, the kidneys do not filter fluids and toxins blood very efficiently, so maintaining healthful blood pressure levels are imperative for preventing kidney damage.

Most people don’t think about kidney problems until they have one. So it’s important to learn to recognize kidney problem symptoms so you can take quick action, with the help of your medical professional, if signs of kidney trouble begin to crop up.

Would you like additional information on symptoms of kidney problems? Click on Kidney Problems and Your Kidney Health.

Neal Kennedy is a retired radio and television reporter with a special interest in medical topics.

The kidney cancer survival rate is calculated from a number of factors that relate to both the characteristics of the kidney cancer itself, and also to the patient who has the disease..

Factors that are connected to kidney cancer itself include the type, stage, grade and the location. A cancer that is localized within the kidney is less dangerous than one that has spread to other parts of the body (a process known as metastasis), and therefore treatment is more likely to be successful. Factors regarding the patient that must be considered include the individual’s age, general health, and ability to undergo necessary treatment.

Using data reflecting these factors in recent decades, medical researchers have been able to generate some statistics for kidney cancer survival rates. The statistics quoted below focus only on the most common type of kidney cancer, known as renal cell carcinoma. It occurs much more often than other types.

Typically, the kidney cancer survival rate is shown in percentages. In other words, a certain percentage of patients who have the same type of cancer at roughly the same stage will still be alive after a defined period of time.

It should be noted, of course, that every case is different and there’s no way to accurately predict how long someone with kidney cancer will live after treatment. The survival rate is a broad-based number based on thousands of cases.

As is the case with most other diseases, the kidney cancer survival rate is measured in five year periods. In other words, a percentage of those who have been diagnosed with kidney cancer will live for at least five years.

There are a number of categories in which kidney cancer survival rates can be shown.. The data below reflects a comparison of those who have been diagnosed with kidney cancer to the general population. The statistics come from a study done between 1995 and 2001.

During this interval, the overall survival rate for kidney cancer patients was 64.6 percent.

There was a further breakdown by gender and race.

* 64.7 percent of Caucasian males survived for at least 5 years
* The percentage of Caucasian women who lived at least five years was similar: 64.5
* The survival rate for African American men was slightly lower at 61.8 percent
* African American women had the highest survival rate, coming in at just under 66 percent

The survival rate also depends on the stage the cancer has reached by the time it’s diagnosed. A higher stage assignment means the cancer has spread more and will therefore be more difficult to treat.

Approximately 53 percent of kidney cancer cases are found before cancer cells have spread beyond the kidneys.

1 case in 5 or twenty percent is diagnosed after cancer cells have spread beyond the kidneys to nearby lymph nodes, tissues or organs.

Slightly more than one in five cases – 22 percent – are diagnosed when cancer cells have reached distant tissues or organs.

Staging information was unclear in the remaining cases that were part of the research..

As you would expect, patients who were diagnosed in an early stage were more likely to survive for the longest period of time.

* 90 percent of patients who were diagnosed when the cancer was restricted to the kidneys reached the five year mark.
* When the cancer had spread to the immediate region around the kidneys, those surviving five years or more dropped to 60 percent.
* When the cancer had spread to distant tissues and organs, slightly less than 1 patient in 10 survived five years.
* Stage information for the remaining patients was unknown.

The United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Northern Europe have the highest incidence of kidney cancer, according to the U.S. National Cancer Institute. Thailand, China and the Philippines have the lowest rates. Kidney cancer accounts for approximately three percent of all adult cancer cases diagnosed annually in the U.S.

Two smokers develop kidney cancer for every non-smoker who gets the disease. The risk for renal pelvis cancer is even greater for smokers at 4 to 1.

Related topics: kidney cancer survival rate data and kidney cancer data.

Neal Kennedy is a retired radio and TV talk show host. To read more of his articles, click on The Kidneys

Kidney problem symptoms share some characteristics, but there are a number of differences according to the cause of the kidney problem you have.

In some cases, symptoms of kidney problems don’t show up for years. Meanwhile, kidney function may be deteriorating without the individual even knowing something is wrong. This typically happens when you have chronic kidney failure.

But in other cases, symptoms of kidney problems occur suddenly and trigger severe, even agonizing pain. Such symptoms are typical if you have kidney stones or acute kidney failure.

This article is intended to give you a short description of kidney problems symptoms for the most common kidney conditions and disorders. Your doctor is the best judge of the possible kidney problems these symptoms represent.

Kidney disease describes a condition that occurs when the nephrons – tiny structures that filter wastes and toxins from the blood – have become damaged. Such damages results in reduced kidney function. Two of the primary symptoms of kidney disease are dark, cloudy, or blood-tinged urine and pain while urinating. You may feel the need to urinate more even when little or no urine is produced. When you have kidney disease your likely to experience a feeling of fatigue and muscle weakness. Higher blood pressure is also typical.

A kidney infection is an extremely dangerous kidney condition that begins when germs (often E. coli) invade the urinary system and migrate to the kidneys. There are two basic types: chronic and acute. When you have an acute kidney infection, you’re likely to have cloudy, discolored urine that carries an unpleasant odor. Back pain, chills, fever, fatigue and muscle weakness are also typical.

Kidney failure is the life-threatening result of untreated kidney disease or a kidney infection. The kidneys stop filtering the blood, removing toxins and wastes that can be harmful to your metabolism. Typically, someone with kidney failure experiences lethargy, dyspnea (shortness of breath, a general weakness and swelling around the body due to a fluid build up. The closer the kidneys come to complete failure, the more noticeable the symptoms become. There’s even less appetite and more fatigue. Intellectual acuity deteriorates. When you have complete kidney failure, there are only two ways you can survive: kidney transplantation or kidney dialysis.

Kidney stones are pebble-like structures that form when crystals in your urine cling together. These structures, which actually look and feel like small stones, can grow as large as a golf ball. Severe back pain is the most prominent symptom of a kidney stone. The pain usually occurs in the back or “flank” area, but it may radiate to the abdomen or even the genital area. Other symptoms include a feeling that you need to urinate often even though very little urine comes out. When urine is actually released, it’s probably going to look dark or cloudy and it will also have an unpleasant odor. It’s also typical to experience nausea and vomiting when you have kidney stones.

Kidney cancer symptoms are a lot like symptoms for kidney problems that have already been mentioned. Someone with kidney cancer may also experience anemia, elevated blood pressure or hypertension, decreased appetite, night sweats and unexplained weight loss.

Kidney cysts are abnormal growths that sometimes form on the kidneys. They consist of air, fluid or calcium. Calcium cysts can cause considerable pain. Often, you don’t even know your have them until symptoms appear (which may be years after they actually start to form). Blood-tinged and cloudy or dark urine is one of the most prominent signs for this type of kidney problem. When a kidney cyst causes pain, it usually happens in the back or the abdomen. Some individuals who have this kidney problem never experience symptoms of any kind.

Kidney damage can result from causes besides disease or sickness. Sometimes, kidney tissue can be damaged because of a vehicular accident or a heavy blow during sports competition. When the kidney are damaged, symptoms often include back pain, abdominal pain and swelling, and cloudy or bloody urine. Other symptoms include trouble with memory and thinking processes, nausea, vomiting, pale skin and an increased heart rate.

Kidney problem symptoms can be signs of serious health threats and should not be taken lightly. When symptoms appear, don’t hesitate to get medical attention.

Click on kidney problems symptoms and signs and what is kidney disease? to learn more about kidney problems. Neal Kennedy is a retired TV and radio journalist with a special interest in health and fitness topics.

If you have a kidney problem, or you want to take steps to make sure you don’t get one someday, you have to be careful about your diet.

The intention of this article is to offer tips on a sensible diet for people with kidney problems – whether you currently have a kidney problem, or hope to avoid having one in the future. Anyone who has to cook or plan meals for an individual with kidney problems will also find some helpful guidelines below. Of course, it’s important to work with the patient’s doctor for specific nutritional and dietary recommendations.

Diet plays an important part in overall kidney health: not only in managing and controlling illnesses like kidney disease and kidney failure, but also in preventing recurring problems like kidney stones. Some factors to consider include the following.

* Your current kidney health and level of kidney function.

* Your general state of health, including any chronic conditions or illnesses.

* The “state of your weight.” Overweight persons with a high body mass index (BMI) are more likely to have kidney trouble.

There are five types of food that deserve special consideration when planning a diet for people with kidney problems.

Salt or Sodium Levels

Your body needs sodium, or salt, to function. Salt is important for controlling muscle contractions, maintaining fluid balances, and regulating yopur blood pressure.

But many people use salt excessively, and it can be especially dangerous you want to stay on a healthy kidney diet.

Normal kidneys remove excess sodium from your body by filtering it out of your bloodstream. This process breaks down when you have a kidney problem – the kidney allow salt to begin accumulating.

This allows fluids to build up in the body, causing bloating. Typically, this bloating appears first in the face and joints.

If you have kidney problems, or want to make sure you never have them, reduce your consumption of the following foods:

* processed and pre-packaged dinner mixes
salted snacks, especially potato chips
* salted nuts
* meat that has been processed, like cold cuts
* cheese
* packaged or canned soups, and broth made from bouillon cubes
* Processed vegetables that are packed in cans
* bacon
* You should also try to avoid salting your food with a salt shaker at the dinner table.

Protein

Protein is good for you unless you have kidney problems and you eat too much of it.

{A diet that’s high in protein strains the kidneys by creating more metabolic waste than they can handle. You need to get enough while being careful not to get too much. Your doctor can help give you some guidelines that are appropriate to your situation.

Most people get the majority of their protein from poultry products (including eggs) and from the meat they consume. Very little protein can be found in grains and vegetables.

Potassium

Potassium helps you maintain healthy nerves and muscles. But once again, you can get too much of it, which may result in an irregular heartbeat. Almost all foods contain potassium.

So if you’re concerned about your kidneys, you have to become aware of how much potassium is contained in your food choices.

Meanwhile some foods have high levels of potassium, so you should make sure to limit your consumption. These high potassium foods include apricots, bananas, beets, bran & bran products, broccoli, cantaloupe, chocolate, and coffee.

Phosphorus

Phosphorus is similar to potassium in that it promotes healthy muscles and nerves. When combined with calcium, it also gives you strong bones and teeth.

Kidney problems will sometimes alter your phosphorus balances – and not in a good way. Calcium levels become lower, and your body compensates by robbing calcium from the bones.

But high levels of phosphorus aren’t good either. It can cause skin irritation and itchiness, joint pain and brittle bones.

Here are some foods that contain a lot of phosphorus: peanut butter and many kinds of nuts, liver (both chicken and beef) cheese and caramel. Also be aware that certain drinks contain high phosphorus levels too, including beer and cola.

Fluids

Your kidneys act as the “fluid filters” of your body. Anyone who has kidney problems can have issues with proper fluid filtration, so maintaining the proper fluid intake is important.

If you consume too many fluids, it can drive up your blood pressure along with causing swelling and shortness of breath.

This is an area for discussion with your doctor.

And remember, some fluids are consumed as solids, but they melt into a liquid once you’ve eaten them. Ice cream leads the list here.

Anyone who has a serious kidney problem – or wants to avoid one – needs to be maintain a healthy, kidney-friendly diet.

When you suffer kidney failure, or your kidneys are seriously damaged by disease, there are limited options: renal dialysis (which can go one for years) or a kidney transplant. Eating a diet for people with kidney problems today will will make it less likely that you’ve ever have to make such choices in the future.

Related topics: healthy kidney diet and kidney disease symptoms. Neal Kennedy is a former radio and TV reporter who often writes on topics related to coping with kidney problems.

One of the problems that creeps up on you, without you knowing it, is having Kidney stones and you may have a hard time knowing exactly what could be causing you pain and discomfort when this happens. You should understand that there are certain medical professionals who can help in diagnosing and treating such problems. When you take advantage of these people you will find that it becomes much easier to deal with the problem. You need to visit SouthernCaliforniaUrologist.com if you feel that you may be suffering from kidney stones and need help.

They can help you in determining whether you are suffering from kidney stones or not. When you suffer from this problem you might not know you have them, because with kidney stones there are a lot of symptoms that come with them. These symptoms lead to a lot of mistakes in diagnosing the problem and even your regular medical doctor may commit the same mistake of not diagnosing the problem accurately. You will need a specialist if the problem are indeed kidney stones to better help you in treating them before they become worse. And this is always a good thing because a lot of pain and discomfort can be easily avoided.

With regard to having kidney stones, acute pain in the back and in your side is one of the first signs you may experience. If you are not properly diagnosed by someone who is well versed, it would just be easy to commit a mistake for taking this pain for something else. To make sure this inaccurate diagnosis does not happen, you need to go to SouthernCaliforniaUrologist.com. When you have acute pain in the back or in the lower side area the pain can be really uncomfortable.However, the severity of the pain could be the same as the level of the problem. And this is something that only a good professional will be able to help you get over properly.

It is very important to have kidney stones treated right away even if you feel you just might have them. The longer you ignore the problem, the worse it may become. But you must make sure you get it treated by someone who knows what they is doing, such as the professional services of SouthernCaliforniaUrologist.com. This will help to make sure you get the proper help you need that will help you get over your kidney stones. You do not want any kinds of infection brought by unchecked kidney stones, do you? If you would not then getting the proper treatment should be your number one priority. Urologic Oncology

Kidney failure is a very dangerous kidney problem. It may even be fatal. At the the very least, it may require a lifetime of kidney dialysis, or the need for a kidney transplant.

Symptoms of kidney failure are rarely obvious or easily identifiable before the disease has progressed to the later stages.

A change in your body chemistry may be the first symptom that kidney failure is in progress as your electrolyte readings become abnormal. Kidney function also begins to deteriorate. Two of the major jobs performed by the kidneys – eliminating excess fluids and filtering out toxins – start to degrade.

There’s also a drop in the production of red blood cells (one of the other important roles played by the kidneys).

Even if your kidneys are 80 percent impaired, they can still function and keep you alive. But the longer you wait, the more likely you are to experience these symptoms of kidney failure:

* general fatigue,
* a general feeling that you don’t have much strength or vitality,
* difficulty breathing,
* generalized swelling.

If symptoms of kidney failure are not treated, a life-threatening situation can arise, including:

Not enough red blood cells – Muscles and tissues won’t get the oxygen they need. This leads to weakness and fatigue.

Failure to excrete potassium properly – The heart may also be in danger due to the inability to excrete potassium. Rising potassium levels can lead to fatal heart rhythm problems.

Metabolic acidosis – This results when your body isn’t manufacturing enough bicarbonate, which causes higher than normal acid levels. This can alter enzyme and oxygen metabolism, leading to kidney failure.

Uremia – Urea is a waste produced that results from the digestion of protein. Our kidneys filter it from our blood and it is passed out of the body in urine. When urea begins to build up in your system, it can cause problems with your heart, brain and muscles. The following symptoms become more pronounced

* decreased appetite
* low energy levels and even extreme fatigue,
* decreased cognitive functioning and an inability to think clearly.

By the time these symptoms begin to appear, the kidneys are severely damaged and coma is a possibility.

At this stage of kidney failure, your body has to fight off numerous challenges. Excess fluid builds up and causes increased blood pressure. The risk of congestive heart failure also rises dramatically. Breathing becomes extremely rapid as the body fights to get enough oxygen.

Medical intervention is critical at this point if the patient is to survive.

If you want more information on topics related to this article, click on Kidney Failure: What Are the Symptoms?. George McKenzie is a retired TV anchor, medical reporter and radio talk show host. He has a special interest in kidney-related issues, and is a frequent contributor to Kidney Problems and You, a resource website about kidney health and wellness.

Back pain can come from a variety of possible causes. Typically it results from spine or muscle issues. However, sometimes your pain is coming from a different source all together.

Your discomfort may actually be the result of a kidney problem. Some people say that pain from a kidney stone or kidney infection is the worst pain they’ve ever felt.

So how do you know whether your back pain comes from a spinal or muscular injury versus a renal problem?

One of the best ways to tell is the location of your pain. The most intense pain is likely to occur in the area between the bottom of your rib cage and the top of your hips. It is likely to happen more toward your sides and away from your spinal column.

Many times, pain from kidney disorders is described as “acute.” In other words, it comes on fast and it comes on strong.

Kidney stones sometimes cause back pain when they move from the kidneys down to the bladder. Kidney stones that become “stuck” in the ureters and obstruct the flow of urine to the bladder are likely to cause extreme discomfort.

Another typical symptom of a kidney problem is discoloration of your urine. If it’s darker than normal, you may have a kidney or bladder issue.

Generally speaking, most people with kidney or bladder disorders feel the need to urinate more often than usual. However, when they try, they often find that not much urine is actually produced.

Individuals with kidney stones or a kidney infection often feel a stinging or burning sensation during urination too.

Kidney stones sometimes pass out of your body when you urinate, especially if you drink a lot of water. When this happens, your back pain comes to an end.

Kidney stones – while they may cause severe pain and discomfort – are not considered to be life-threatening.

However, the same cannot be said for a kidney infection, which can lead to kidney failure. Kidney failure can be fatal. Therefore, if you even suspect your back pain is coming from a kidney infection, it’s best to call a doctor right away.

Are you searching for more articles on similar subjects? Click on renal failure. Neal Kennedy is a former radio and TV reporter with a special interest in topics related to the kidneys. You can read more of his articles about kidney health at http://www.kidney-problem.org.

When part or all of a kidney is removed in surgery, the procedure is called a nephrectomy. It may also be referred to as nephrectomy surgery. When when the kidney can no longer function properly because of disease or damage, kidney removal surgery or a nephrectomy may be become necessary.

One of the many important functions of the kidneys is filtering and removing toxins and wastes from the blood. This cleaning process the way urine is produced.

A nephrectomy is done as a solution to one of several possible kidney problems. Kidney cancer and kidney failure are two of the most typical reasons for a nephrectomy.

Removing an entire kidney is called a complete or radical nephrectomy procedure. A partial nephrectomy procedure describes the removal of a section, but not all of the kidney. A third type of nephrectomy is called a donor nephrectomy. This means someone donates a healthy kidney to another person who needs a kidney transplant.

Generally speaking, there are two different types of operations used for kidney removal.

1. Laparoscopic Nephrectomy – The surgeon makes several small incisions. A tube with a small camera attached to it is placed in one of them. Instruments for performing the surgery are placed in the others. The surgeon uses the camera to guide his or her movements in using the instruments to remove all or part of the kidney.

2. Open Nephrectomy – This type of nephrectomy procedure involves one large open incision rather than several small ones. The surgeon removes as much tissue as necessary through the large incision. This is the “traditional” method of kidney removal, and requires a longer recovery period.

Your surgeon will discuss with you which type of nephrectomy is more appropriate in your situation. The decision will depend on why you need the surgery and how much of the kidney needs to be removed.

What factors determine how much tissue must be removed from the kidney?

The first factor is the amount of damage to the kidney, or how much of it has been affected by disease. The doctor will have to find out if the problem affects only one area or only one kidney. He or she will want to ascertain if affects nearby tissue or the other kidney.

There are several types of tests that will help answer these questions. They include:

Ultrasound – This test uses sound waves to create a picture of the kidney and the tissues around it.

Computerized Tomography – This technology uses special X-rays to produce computer-enhanced pictures of thin, cross-section “slices” of tissues in the kidneys. It is also refered to as CT or CT scanning.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging – This type of technology employs radio waves and a magnetic field to produce computer-enhanced 3-dimensional views of the kidney. Also known as an”MRI.”

Your doctor will evaluate the results of these various tests and suggest the appropriate surgical procedure for you.

Recovery time from nephrectomy surgery depends on a number of factors. Your overall health and the type of procedure that was done are important.

Kidney removal surgery can sometimes have post-surgery complications like hypertension and chronic kidney disease. in an overwhelming majority of cases, the patient can live a happy, healthy life with the remaining kidney tissue – even though overall kidney function will be less than normal.

You can get additional information on this and related similar subject matter by clicking kidney removal surgery, nephrectomy or kidney problems.

A possibly-fatal kidney problem or other organ damage may result from using certain imported skin bleaching products, according to a recent investigative report published in the Chicago Tribune newspaper.

The Tribune examined about fifty skin bleaching creams and lotions and found that some contained , and this is a quote, “toxic” levels of mercury. The results were published in mid-May, 2010.

The products are supposed to lighten age spots and freckles

Mercury is dangerous to humans because it can cause damage to a variety of organs including the heart, lungs and kidneys. Kidney problems, possibly including irreversible kidney failure, are one of the biggest threats.

When kidney failure takes place, treatment possibilities become limited. There are only two ways to save your life: these include kidney transplant operation or kidney dialysis (also called renal dialysis).

Excessive mercury levels can get into the bloodstream after being spread on the skin. The degree of danger varies according to body weight and a number of other factors. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency considers anything above one gram of mercury per kilogram (2.2 pounds) to be excessive. Doses that exceed the maximum can put humans at risk for life-threatening disorders. Minute doses can accumulate over an extended period of time, creating long term ill-effects.

Mercury can trigger vision problems, blurred vision and trouble walking. It can cause organs to malfunction, and in certain cases, result in death. Mercury can be especially dangerous for the fetuses of pregnant women, infants and small children.

Mercury has been illegal for use in skin creams and lotions since 1990 when it was banned by the FDA. The Tribune’s investigation discovered that products are readily available nonetheless. The FDA told the Tribune that it has fewer than 500 inspectors who can investigate imported products, making it possible for some products to slip through the regulatory cracks .

Approximately 50 skin cream samples were sent to to an independent laboratory for testing. 6 included mercury levels that exceeded legal limits in the United States. Five of the six had levels of 6,000 parts per million of mercury, which is high enough to cause kidney damage .

The products came to the U.S. from Lebanon, China, India, Pakistan and Taiwan

One Chicago dermatologist, Dr. Jonith Breadon, said he was “shocked and speechless” that products with such high mercury content in them are so readily available.

Retailers who had the creams and lotions in stock and promised to remove them. Two companies that were distributing the products say they will discontinue them.

Skin lightening creams and lotions have become big sellers in the U.S. in recent years. Sales have been high among Asian, Hispanic and African-American ethnic groups. Sales are expected to exceed 75 million annually by 2015.

Among the other skin lightening products tested during the investigation, the highest amounts of mercury were found in a product called Stillman’s Skin Bleach Cream. Other products wereTop-Gel MCA Extra Pearl Cream, Creme Diana CTR, Ling Ji Su, Lulanjina, and Shabright Clear and Bright Skin Formula.

Many popular skin care products tested by the Tribune contained no mercury at all.

Read more about these kidney problems and others by visiting http://www.kidney-problem.org.

Several doctors who spoke to Tribune reporters said that anyone who wants a safe skin lightening product can get one by prescription. They also stressed that such products should be used only for lightening spots and freckles, not to bleach skin that is naturally dark.

Lern more about other kidney problems and related topics by visiting http://www.kidney-problem.org.