The short answer: Most people who develop a kidney stone do not automatically develop chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, recurrent stones, prolonged urinary blockage, repeated kidney infections, and certain underlying disorders can increase the risk of long-term kidney damage. The risk depends on the stone’s size and location, whether urine flow is blocked, how often … Read more
The short answer: Metabolic syndrome is a group of conditions that commonly occur together, including abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high triglycerides, and low HDL cholesterol. These problems can increase the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Insulin resistance often plays a central role. It can contribute to type 2 diabetes, fatty … Read more
The short answer: Amyloidosis is a group of diseases in which abnormally folded proteins build up in tissues and damage organs. When these proteins accumulate in the kidneys, they can damage the tiny blood-filtering units, causing protein to leak into the urine, low blood albumin, and swelling. This can lead to nephrotic syndrome. Kidney involvement … Read more
A kidney cyst is usually a fluid-filled sac, while a solid kidney mass contains tissue that needs further evaluation. Most simple kidney cysts are harmless, but some solid masses and complex cysts can represent renal cell carcinoma (RCC), the most common type of kidney cancer in adults. The important distinction is that an ultrasound finding … Read more
A bladder infection and a kidney infection are both types of urinary tract infection (UTI), but they differ in location and potential complications. A bladder infection usually causes burning during urination and frequent urges to urinate, while a kidney infection can cause fever, chills, and pain in the back or side. Most bladder infections do … Read more
Alport syndrome is an inherited condition that affects the kidneys and can also affect hearing and vision. It develops because changes in certain genes disrupt type IV collagen, a protein that helps provide strength and support to the kidney’s filtering membranes and other tissues. Alport syndrome often causes blood in the urine, sometimes beginning in … Read more
The short answer: Most people can live a healthy, active life with one kidney, whether they donated a kidney or had one removed because of illness. The remaining kidney usually adapts by filtering more blood. However, having one kidney means you have less reserve if that kidney becomes injured or develops disease. Protecting kidney health, … Read more
The short answer: Long-standing, poorly controlled high blood pressure can damage the small blood vessels and filtering structures inside the kidneys. Over time, this can cause hypertensive nephrosclerosis, a form of chronic kidney damage associated with hypertension. However, the phrase “high blood pressure scars the kidneys” is an oversimplification. High blood pressure is an important … Read more
The short answer: PLA2R autoantibodies are blood antibodies that target phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R), a protein found on kidney cells called podocytes. They are strongly associated with primary membranous nephropathy (MN) and can help doctors diagnose the disease, estimate disease activity, monitor treatment response, and assess the risk of relapse. However, a positive PLA2R antibody … Read more
The short answer Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is not one single disease. It is a pattern of scarring seen in some kidney filters, called glomeruli, usually reflecting injury to specialized cells called podocytes. Different processes can produce this pattern, and treatment depends heavily on identifying the underlying cause. (PubMed) The most useful distinction is between: … Read more