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Kidney Diseases
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Kidneys Urinary System

Kidney Diseases

Kidney diseases often damage the nephrons responsible for filtering blood, necessitating medical intervention if the organs lose their ability to remove waste.

How Kidneys Work

You have two kidneys, each about the size of your fist, located near the middle of your back just below the rib cage. Inside each kidney there are about a million tiny structures called nephrons. They filter your blood, removing wastes and extra water, which become urine. The urine flows through tubes called ureters to your bladder, which stores the urine until you go to the bathroom.

Causes and Risk Factors

Most kidney diseases attack the nephrons, leaving kidneys unable to remove wastes. Causes can include genetic problems, injuries, or medicines. You have a higher risk of kidney disease if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or a close family member with kidney disease.

Other Kidney Problems

Chronic kidney disease damages the nephrons slowly over several years. Other kidney problems include:

  • Cancer
  • Cysts
  • Stones
  • Infections

Diagnosis and Treatment

Your doctor can do blood and urine tests to check if you have kidney disease. If your kidneys fail, you will need dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Frequently Asked Questions

You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience a sudden and significant decrease in urine output, severe pain in the flank or back, or blood in your urine that is visible to the naked eye. Other emergency triggers include severe shortness of breath, chest pain, or confusion, which may indicate that toxins are building up in your blood or that fluid is accumulating in your lungs. These signs suggest acute kidney injury or a severe complication that requires urgent intervention.
Early signs are often subtle and may include changes in urination habits, such as foamy urine, frequent urination at night, or a decrease in urine output. You might also notice swelling in your hands, feet, or around your eyes due to fluid retention, along with persistent fatigue, nausea, or a metallic taste in your mouth. Because these symptoms can mimic other conditions, regular blood and urine tests are essential for early detection, especially if you have risk factors like diabetes or high blood pressure.
Diet plays a critical role in slowing the progression of kidney disease by reducing the workload on your nephrons. You typically need to limit sodium to control blood pressure and fluid retention, restrict potassium and phosphorus to prevent dangerous mineral imbalances, and manage protein intake to avoid accumulating waste products. It is crucial to work with a renal dietitian to create a personalized plan, as excessive protein or unmonitored mineral intake can accelerate kidney damage.
Yes, long-term or high-dose use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen can reduce blood flow to the kidneys and cause damage. Certain antibiotics, contrast dyes used in imaging tests, and some blood pressure medications can also pose risks. To protect your kidneys, always inform your healthcare provider of all medications and supplements you are taking, avoid self-medicating with NSAIDs, and get regular blood tests to monitor your kidney function if you are on long-term medication regimens.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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