Kidney and Urinary Conditions
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Kidneys play an important role in keeping your body healthy. They filter waste from your blood, balance fluids, and help regulate blood pressure.
However, kidney and urinary conditions can affect these functions, sometimes without noticeable symptoms in the early stages. Understanding common warning signs and knowing when to seek medical care can help protect your kidney health.
Kidney Function
Kidneys remove excess fluids and waste through urine while helping maintain the body’s balance of minerals. Conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, infections, and urinary blockages can affect kidney function. Regular medical checkups and appropriate laboratory tests can help identify potential problems early.
Signs of Kidney Disease
Kidney disease may develop gradually, making early symptoms easy to overlook. Watch for these 10 possible signs of kidney disease:
- Changes in urination frequency
- Foamy urine
- Blood in the urine
- Swelling in the feet, ankles, or face
- Persistent fatigue
- Loss of appetite or nausea
- Dry, itchy skin
- Muscle cramps
- Difficulty concentrating or sleeping
- Shortness of breath
These symptoms may also indicate other health conditions, including urinary tract infections (UTIs) and kidney stones. Medical evaluation can help determine the cause.
What Are the Symptoms of UTI?
A urinary tract infection occurs when bacteria enter the urinary system. Common symptoms include burning during urination, frequent urges to urinate, lower abdominal discomfort, and cloudy or bloody urine. Fever, chills, back pain, or vomiting may indicate a more serious infection requiring urgent medical attention.
What Are the Symptoms of UTI?
A urinary tract infection occurs when bacteria enter the urinary system. Common symptoms include burning during urination, frequent urges to urinate, lower abdominal discomfort, and cloudy or bloody urine. Fever, chills, back pain, or vomiting may indicate a more serious infection requiring urgent medical attention.
What Causes UTI in Women?
Women are more prone to UTIs because their urethra is shorter, making it easier for bacteria to reach the bladder. Sexual activity, pregnancy, hormonal changes, and incomplete bladder emptying can also increase the risk.
Recurrent infections, particularly when accompanied by side pain or blood in the urine, may require further assessment because kidney stones or urinary blockages can sometimes contribute to infection.
Kidney Stone Symptoms
Kidney stones are hard deposits formed from minerals in the urine. Common kidney stone symptoms include the following:
- sharp pain in the back or side
- pain spreading toward the groin
- Nausea
- Vomiting and;
- blood in the urine.
Severe pain, fever, chills, or difficulty urinating warrants urgent medical assessment.
What Causes Kidney Stones?
Dehydration, concentrated urine, high sodium intake, certain dietary patterns, family history, and underlying medical conditions can increase the risk of kidney stones. Drinking enough water and following appropriate dietary recommendations may help prevent recurrence. Treatment depends on the stone’s size and location. Learn more about our non-surgical kidney stone treatment available at Unihealth Southwoods for better treatment and procedure understanding.
What Causes Kidney Failure?
Kidney failure occurs when the kidneys can no longer adequately filter waste and excess fluids. Diabetes and high blood pressure are major causes of chronic kidney disease, while severe infections, dehydration, and urinary blockages may contribute to sudden kidney injury. Depending on the condition, treatment may include medication, monitoring, or dialysis.
How to Take Care of Your Kidneys
To support kidney health, stay appropriately hydrated, maintain a balanced diet, manage blood pressure and blood sugar, exercise regularly, and take medications as prescribed. Avoid excessive use of certain pain relievers without medical guidance. If you have diabetes, hypertension, or a history of kidney problems, ask your doctor about regular screening. Explore available tests through UniHealth Southwoods Laboratory Services.
When Should You See a Doctor?
Consult a healthcare professional if you experience persistent urinary changes, blood in your urine, unexplained swelling, or recurring pain. Seek emergency care for severe side pain with fever or chills, inability to urinate, or serious breathing difficulties.
If you are seeking for proper consultation and assessment, Unihealth Southwoods Hospital and Medical Center Binan City, Laguna provides accessible OPD, lab services, ESWL and Kidney Dialysis for kidney and urinary conditions.
For non-emergency concerns, you can consult our specialists and view their consultation schedules.
Medical Services Available at UniHealth Southwoods
Outpatient Clinic
The Outpatient Department provides consultations and medical assessments for patients experiencing kidney and urinary concerns, helping them understand their symptoms and explore appropriate diagnostic and treatment options.
Laboratory Services
Laboratory Services offers diagnostic testing to help evaluate kidney function and identify possible signs of infection or other urinary concerns. Your doctor may recommend specific tests based on your symptoms and medical history.
Kidney Dialysis Services
Kidney Dialysis Services provides dialysis care for patients whose kidneys cannot adequately filter waste and excess fluid from the blood. Treatment and monitoring are guided by the patient’s condition and medical needs.
Nephrologist Consultation
Nephrologist Consultation connects patients with specialists in kidney health who can assess kidney function, evaluate signs of kidney disease, and help manage kidney-related conditions. Patients experiencing persistent urinary symptoms or concerns about kidney health can receive specialist guidance on appropriate diagnostic tests and treatment options.
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Take the Next Step
Patients seeking kidney function testing, urinary assessment, or medical consultations in Biñan City, Laguna, can inquire about available services at UniHealth Southwoods Hospital and Medical Center.