Kidney diseases range from acute injuries to chronic life-threatening conditions

Renal parenchymal disease is a group of conditions that can develop in the parts of your kidneys that filter your urine and produce the hormone erythropoietin. These conditions can range from mild to life threatening.

Is Renal Parenchymal Disease Dangerous?

Renal parenchymal diseases can range from mild to life threatening. Any of these diseases can be classified as:

• acute if it develops suddenly
• chronic if it develops slowly over many years

Health experts estimate that 12-15% of people with acute kidney injury need permanent dialysis. Dialysis involves running your blood through an external machine that filters it in place of your kidneys.

The most common type of kidney cancer, renal cell carcinoma, develops in the nephrons. People with kidney cancer, including this type, in the United States had a 5-year relative survival rate of 78% in the years 2013-2019.

Renal Parenchymal Disease Stages

Doctors usually stage chronic kidney disease (CKD) based on estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR).

Estimated GFR helps doctors find out how well your kidneys are working by measuring levels of certain substances in your blood. It's measured in milliliters per minute per 1.73 square meters of body surface area (mL/min per 1.73 m).

CKD can be divided into six categories based on GFR:

| Stage | Estimated GFR in mL/min per 1.73 m | | --- | --- | | G1 | 90+ | | G2 | 60-89 | | G3a | 45-59 | | G3b | 30-44 | | G4 | 15-29 | | G5 (end stage kidney disease) | less than 15 |

Symptoms of Renal Parenchymal Disease

CKD typically does not cause symptoms in the early stages since your body can usually adapt to limited kidney function. Symptoms tend to get worse over time, once your body can no longer adequately filter your blood.

When symptoms appear, they can include:

• blood in your urine
• unintentional weight loss
• lack of appetite
• swelling in your ankles, feet, and hands
• shortness of breath
• frequent urination
• insomnia
• itchy skin
• muscle cramps
• erectile dysfunction
• headaches

Causes of Renal Parenchymal Disease

Potential causes of acute kidney injury include:

• severe bleeding
• severe burns
• severe diarrhea and vomiting
• severe dehydration
• pulmonary embolism
• acute coronary syndrome
• infections
• other conditions that cause low blood flow
• septic shock
• anaphylaxis
• kidney stones
• a tumor in your pelvis
• side effects of medications such as:
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• ACE inhibitors
• angiotensin receptor blockers

Diabetes is the most common cause of end stage CKD, accounting for 30-50% of cases. High blood pressure is the second most common cause, accounting for about 27% of cases.

Risk Factors for Renal Parenchymal Disease

People with diabetes and high blood pressure are at an increased risk of developing kidney disease.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, other risk factors include:

• heart disease
• obesity
• family history
• inherited kidney disorders
• past damage to kidneys
• older age

Complications of Renal Parenchymal Disease

Possible complications of CKD include:

• high blood pressure
• cardiovascular disease
• anemia
• bone weakness
• fluid retention, especially in your lower body
• electrolyte imbalances
• fatigue
• unintentional weight loss
• itchy skin

Diagnosis of Renal Parenchymal Disease

Tests you may receive to help diagnose kidney disease include:

• urine tests to check:
• whether there is blood in your urine
• whether there is protein in your urine
• your levels of albumin and creatinine
• a blood test to measure your creatinine level
• a kidney biopsy
• imaging tests such as ultrasound, MRI scans, and CT scans

Treatment of Renal Parenchymal Disease

Treatment options for kidney disease include:

• lifestyle changes such as:
• avoiding NSAIDs except when advised by a healthcare professional
• restricting sodium intake to less than 6,000 milligrams per day
• increasing your physical activity
• medications to manage conditions such as:
• high blood pressure
• high cholesterol
• high potassium
• diabetes
• dialysis (in people with end stage kidney disease)
• kidney transplant (in people with end stage kidney disease)

Prevention of Renal Parenchymal Disease

Ways that you may be able to reduce your chances of developing CKD include:

• treating underlying conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure
• quitting smoking, if you smoke
• eating a balanced diet
• avoiding excessive alcohol intake
• exercising regularly
• following the instructions for use of medications such as aspirin and ibuprofen and not exceeding the maximum duration or dose

When to Contact a Doctor

It's essential to contact a doctor if you notice any changes in your symptoms.

If you've received a diagnosis of kidney disease, it's essential to contact your doctor if you notice any changes in your symptoms.