Long-term lithium treatment can reduce the kidneys’ ability to conserve water, causing excessive urination and thirst. This condition is called lithium-induced nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI), also known as arginine vasopressin resistance. Lithium can also contribute to chronic kidney disease (CKD) in some patients, but these are not the same complication. A person can develop difficulty … Read more
Cisplatin is an effective chemotherapy medication, but it can injure the kidneys by damaging the cells responsible for filtering and processing waste. This complication is called cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. The good news is that kidney injury is not inevitable. Proper intravenous hydration, careful kidney function monitoring, magnesium management, and appropriate treatment planning can substantially reduce the … Read more
Potassium-sparing diuretics can increase blood potassium levels, especially in people with chronic kidney disease (CKD). When the kidneys cannot remove enough potassium, these medications may cause hyperkalemia—a condition in which potassium builds up in the bloodstream. This does not mean potassium-sparing diuretics are always unsafe for people with kidney disease. Some provide important benefits for … Read more
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