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Causes of Kidney Damage

The kidneys filter all the blood in the human body to remove waste. Each kidney contains nephrons, which are the functioning units. A nephron is made up of a filter unit, called a glomerulus and a tubule. According to the National Kidney Foundation, the kidneys filter about 200 quarts of fluid every 24 hours. Disease can damage the kidneys and decrease its ability to filter waste from the body properly.

  1. Diabetes Mellitus

    • Diabetes mellitus results when the pancreas cannot make enough insulin to fill the body's needs. This causes blood sugar levels to fluctuate between being too high and too low. These frequent changes in blood sugar levels can cause damage in the kidneys. According to Baxter Renal, this damage occurs most often in people who have had diabetes for more than 10 years. The National Kidney Foundation states that diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease.

    Hypertension

    • High blood pressure can place excess force on the glomeruli inside the nephrons causing scarring and damage. Kidney failure can be a cause of high blood pressure, and if uncontrolled, high blood pressure can make kidney damage worse. Good control of high blood pressure can delay the need for dialysis and prolong the life of a kidney transplant. High blood pressure is treated with a combination of diet, exercise and medication.

    Glomerulonephritis

    • Glomerulonephritis causes the glomeruli to become inflamed. This disease can occur suddenly or may develop slowly over a period of time. Protein and red blood cells may be present in the urine of a person with glomerulonephritis. According to Baxter Renal, some types of glomerulonephritis may be treated with immosuppressant drugs that weaken the immune system. Damage caused by this disease may be slowed or reversed in some instances.

    Polycystic Kidney Disease

    • According to the National Kidney Foundation, polycystic kidney disease is the most common inherited type of kidney disease. This disorder causes cysts that grow and cause damage or kidney failure. As the cysts enlarge, they block kidney function. Symptoms of polycystic kidney disease are kidney infections, blood in the urine, pain and high blood pressure. This disorder may be diagnosed through ultrasound, CT scan or MRI. Doctors can prescribe medications to treat this disease.

    Kidney Stones

    • Kidney stones are common and may be painful. They can form inside the kidney or anywhere along the urinary tract. Stones may be formed from different chemicals found inside the body. Types of stones are calcium, struvite, uric acid and cystine. Some stones can be flushed through the system by drinking plenty of water. Doctors may prescribe medications to slow the growth of stones and help them pass out of the body. In some cases surgery may be needed.

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