Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment of Kidney Diseases

The kidneys are vital organs in the body that play a crucial role in filtering the waste products and excessive fluid from the blood. The conditions that affect the kidney function are referred to as kidney diseases. There are several types of conditions and diseases, which affect the kidneys including kidney cancer, chronic kidney disease, acute kidney disease, cysts, kidney stones and kidney infections. Most of these diseases affect the ability of the nephrons to perform their functions effectively. Some common symptoms of kidney diseases are fatigue, weakness, hypertension, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, chest pain, and shortness of breath. Genetic problems, injuries and medications are the main factors that lead to the development of kidney diseases. Diagnostic methods that are used for diagnosing kidney conditions and diseases include urine tests, renal ultrasonography, biopsy of the kidney, and blood tests. The treatments involve the management of disease progression by relieving the symptoms. Dialysis and kidney transplantation are the treatment methods for end-stage kidney disease. This book presents recent studies on the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of kidney diseases. With state-of-the-art inputs by acclaimed experts of this field, it targets students and professionals.