Kidney Disease

It is estimated that 1 in 10 British Columbians has some degree of kidney disease and End Stage Kidney Disease (EKDS). Two million Canadians are estimated to have chronic kidney disease. Many of these people are unaware of that they have the disease until discovered through a routine kidney blood tests or when it manifests itself with the onset of more serious health issues.

According to the Kidney Foundation of Canada kidney disease has a higher mortality rates than most forms of cancer. Kidney Disease (nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis ) ranks 11th in cause of death in Canada.

Risk factors include smoking, high blood pressure (hypertension), diabetes, family history, and children born with kidneys that did not develop properly. People of indigenous, Asian, South Asian, Pacific Island/Caribbean, and Hispanic descent are at higher risk.

Over use of non-prescription (over-the-counter) medications, particularly painkillers can contribute to the development of kidney disease. In addition, the use other medications, toxins, pesticides and illegal drugs (heroin and cocaine) are also factors.

Warning Signs and Symptoms include:

Vomiting
Loss of appetite
Shortness of breath
Leg cramps
Itching
Chest pain
Easy bruising
Swelling in ankles and legs
Fatigue
Nausea
Bad taste in the mouth
Restless legs
Forgetfulness
Difficulty sleeping
Cold intolerance
Skin colour changes
Decreased sexual desire

A physician can order a blood test to determine a patients kidney function level.

Kidney Disease is complex health condition. The field is comprised of a number of sub-categories of kidney disease the result of various causes.

Contributing factors include:

Diabetes
Heart disease
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Bacterial and Viral Infections
Genetic Conditions Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) of which there are two types. Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) and Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD).
Medication that can potentially damage the kidneys (Heavy or long-term use of some of these medicines, such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and higher dose aspirin, can cause chronic kidney disease known as chronic interstitial nephritis
Initial treatment if detected early enough is to treat the disease via life style changes (diet, exercise, etc.) and medications. Dietary changes involve adoption of the Kidney Diet.
Dialysis can provide on going treatment for persons with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) or End Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD). There are three types
- In-Centre Hemodialysis
- Home Hemodialysis
- Peritoneal Dialysis
The only current long-term treatment for End Stage Kidney Disease is a kidney transplant.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is the sudden loss of kidney function. Kidneys clean waste products from the blood and maintain fluid levels in the body.

Understanding chronic kidney disease [electronic resource] : a guide for the non-specialist by Lewis, Robert
Call Number: E-Book
Publication Date: 2012
Since 2006, the management of chronic kidney disease (CKD) has become part of routine primary care practice. This book offers primary care practitioners a clinically based, practical understanding of how to diagnose and manage kidney disease (and what this means for the patient). It also fills the gap between the recent plethora of guidelines, protocols and recommendations on CKD and the questions patients ask in everyday clinical practice. Armed with this deeper understanding, healthcare professionals without specialist training in nephrology will be sufficiently informed to be able to manage renal disease with greater safety, effectiveness and efficiency. The author, Robert Lewis, has been a Consultant Renal Physician at the Wessex Regional Renal and Transplant Service, Portsmouth, UK, for 15 years. He has held executive roles in the major national renal organisations and has extensive practical experience of educating primary care practitioners on CKD. He was a founder member of the CKD Forum, which aims to improve the interface between primary and secondary care in the management of CKD

Heart Failure and Kidney Disease
CiNAHL Nursing Guide
Hypertension and Kidney Disease
CINAHL Nursing Guide
Polycystic Kidney Disease, Autosomal Recessive
CINAHL Nursing Guide
Renal (Kidney) Disease Diet -- For People Not on Dialysis
Health Library: Evidence-Based Information Patient Education Series

Acute Kidney Injury by Erika Pearson
Call Number: E-Book
ISBN: 9781536103793
Publication Date: 2016-01-01
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a major health concern because it is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. While therapies for AKI have improved in recent years, the prevalence of this condition is still high and continues to increase. Considering these clinical issues, the appropriate detection and management of risk factors related to AKI are important issues for clinicians managing AKI patients. This book discusses the forms of detection, predictors and long-term outcomes for acute kidney injuries.

Acute Kidney Injury - Patient Education
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is the sudden loss of kidney function. Kidneys clean waste products from the blood and maintain fluid levels in the body.

BC Renal
BC Renal is a model unique in Canada and internationally, designed to improve kidney patient quality of life and outcomes, provide education, and to support sound fiscal management and system sustainability.
Kidney Foundation of Canada
Sixty years ago in 1964 a group of volunteers found the The Kidney Foundation of Canada to assist people who had little of of survival with their disease. In those 60 years with the support of Canadians, governments, and medical research, kidney, the prognosis for people with kidney disease has substantially improved. Kidney disease treatment has improved, early detection methods have been developed, educational program have been created..Learn more about what the current state-of-affairs in the kidney disease is through this website.
PKD Foundation of Canada
There are two different types of PKD – ADPKD (Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease) and ARPKD ()Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease. The difference between the two is genetic – this means it is passed down through the family, rather than contracted or developed.

HealthLink BC - Acute Kidney Injury
Acute kidney injury (which used to be called acute renal failure) means that your kidneys have suddenly stopped working normally. Your kidneys remove waste products and help balance water and salt and other minerals (electrolytes) in your blood. When your kidneys stop working, waste products, fluids, and electrolytes build up in your body. This can cause problems that can be deadly.
HealthLink BC - Acute Kidney Injury Versus Chronic Kidney Disease
Kidney problems can develop suddenly (acute) or over the long term (chronic). Many conditions, diseases, and medicines can create situations that lead to acute and chronic kidney problems. Acute kidney injury, which used to be called acute renal failure, is more commonly reversible than chronic kidney failure.
- Acute kidney injury (AKI) is usually caused by an event that leads to kidney malfunction. Common causes include serious infection, blood loss from major surgery or injury, or the use of some medicines.
- Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is usually caused by a long-term disease, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, that slowly damages the kidneys and reduces their function over time.
MyHealth.Albert.ca - Causes of Acute Kindey Injury
Acute kidney injury, which used to be called acute renal failure, is the sudden decrease in kidney function. When acute kidney injury occurs, the kidneys have trouble removing waste products and excess fluids, which then build up in the body and upset the body's normal chemical balance. The most common causes of acute kidney injury are serious infection, blood loss from major surgery or injury, or medicines such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antibiotics, or the dyes (contrast agents) used in X-ray tests.

Health Care Assistant (HCA) - Kelowna - 2024

Kidney Disease

According to the Kidney Foundation of Canada kidney disease has a higher mortality rates than most forms of cancer. Kidney Disease (nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis ) ranks 11th in cause of death in Canada.

Risk factors include smoking, high blood pressure (hypertension), diabetes, family history, and children born with kidneys that did not develop properly. People of indigenous, Asian, South Asian, Pacific Island/Caribbean, and Hispanic descent are at higher risk.

Over use of non-prescription (over-the-counter) medications, particularly painkillers can contribute to the development of kidney disease. In addition, the use other medications, toxins, pesticides and illegal drugs (heroin and cocaine) are also factors.

Warning Signs and Symptoms include:

Vomiting

Loss of appetite

Shortness of breath

Leg cramps

Itching

Chest pain

Easy bruising

Swelling in ankles and legs

Fatigue

Nausea

Bad taste in the mouth

Restless legs

Forgetfulness

Difficulty sleeping

Cold intolerance

Skin colour changes

Decreased sexual desire

A physician can order a blood test to determine a patients kidney function level.

Kidney Disease is complex health condition. The field is comprised of a number of sub-categories of kidney disease the result of various causes.

Contributing factors include:

Diabetes

Heart disease

High blood pressure (hypertension)

Bacterial and Viral Infections

Genetic Conditions Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) of which there are two types. Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) and Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD).

Medication that can potentially damage the kidneys (Heavy or long-term use of some of these medicines, such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and higher dose aspirin, can cause chronic kidney disease known as chronic interstitial nephritis

Initial treatment if detected early enough is to treat the disease via life style changes (diet, exercise, etc.) and medications. Dietary changes involve adoption of the Kidney Diet.

Dialysis can provide on going treatment for persons with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) or End Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD). There are three types

In-Centre Hemodialysis

Home Hemodialysis

Peritoneal Dialysis

The only current long-term treatment for End Stage Kidney Disease is a kidney transplant.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is the sudden loss of kidney function. Kidneys clean waste products from the blood and maintain fluid levels in the body.