What are The Common Types of Kidney Diseases?

Urology

Published Date: 12-08-2024 Updated Date: 12-10-2026

Written by Medicover Team

Medically reviewed by Dr Chodisetti Subba Rao, Andrologist and Transplant Surgeon Chief Consultant Urologist

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Your kidneys work quietly in the background every day. They remove waste and extra fluid from the blood, help control blood pressure, keep important minerals balanced, and make hormones that support healthy blood and bones.

When the kidneys become damaged or stop working properly, waste and extra fluid can build up in the body. Kidney problems can range from a sudden change in kidney function to conditions that develop slowly over many years.

This guide explains some common kidney diseases, the symptoms to look out for, how kidney problems are diagnosed and treated, and simple steps that can help protect your kidney health.

Functions of the Kidneys

Your kidneys do much more than make urine. They perform several important jobs that help keep your body in balance.

Blood Filtration: The kidneys filter a large amount of blood every day and remove waste and extra water to make urine. The amount of urine produced can vary depending on how much fluid you drink, your health, and other factors.
Electrolyte Equilibrium: The kidneys help maintain the right levels of minerals such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and phosphate in the blood.
Acid-Base Balance: They help keep the blood from becoming too acidic by controlling acids and bicarbonate.
Blood Pressure Regulation: The kidneys help control blood pressure by managing fluid and sodium levels and through hormones involved in blood pressure regulation.
Regulation of Red Blood Cells: The kidneys produce a hormone called erythropoietin, which signals the bone marrow to make red blood cells.
Bone Health: The kidneys help activate vitamin D, which is important for calcium absorption and healthy bones.

Types of Common Kidney Diseases

Here is a list of some common kidney diseases and conditions:

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): A gradual loss of kidney function that develops over time. Diabetes and high blood pressure are among the major causes of CKD.
Acute Kidney Injury (AKI): A sudden decrease in kidney function that can develop over hours or days. It may happen because of severe dehydration, certain medicines, infections, reduced blood flow to the kidneys, or other conditions.
Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD): An inherited condition in which multiple fluid-filled cysts develop in the kidneys and can affect kidney function over time.
Glomerulonephritis: Inflammation or damage to the glomeruli, the tiny filtering units inside the kidneys. It can have several causes, including infections, autoimmune conditions, and other diseases.
Kidney Stones: Hard deposits made from minerals and salts that form inside the kidneys. Small stones may pass through the urine, while larger stones can cause severe pain or block urine flow.
Kidney Infections (Pyelonephritis): Infections that affect one or both kidneys, usually caused by bacteria that travel up from the bladder or lower urinary tract.
Nephrotic Syndrome: A group of symptoms that occur when the kidney’s filtering units become damaged and allow too much protein to leak into the urine. This can cause swelling, especially around the eyes, legs, and feet.

Each kidney condition is different, so treatment depends on the underlying cause, how well the kidneys are working, and whether other health problems are present.

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Kidney Disease Symptoms

Kidney disease does not always cause noticeable symptoms, especially in its early stages. Many people only discover they have a kidney problem after a blood or urine test.

When symptoms do occur, they may include:

Changes in how often you urinate
Foamy, bloody, or unusually dark urine
Swelling around the eyes, hands, feet, or ankles
Tiredness or weakness
Nausea and vomiting
Dry or itchy skin
Muscle cramps
Loss of appetite
Shortness of breath
Difficulty concentrating
High blood pressure

These symptoms can occur with many different health conditions, so having one of them does not necessarily mean you have kidney disease. If symptoms persist or you have risk factors such as diabetes or high blood pressure, kidney testing can help identify a problem early.

Diagnosis and Treatment for Kidney Diseases

If your doctor suspects a kidney problem, they may recommend blood and urine tests along with other investigations. Early kidney disease may not cause symptoms, so testing is particularly important for people at higher risk.

Diagnosis may involve:

Blood Tests: Tests such as serum creatinine are used to assess how well the kidneys are filtering the blood. BUN may also be checked as part of an overall assessment.
Urine Tests: Urine can be checked for protein or albumin, blood, signs of infection, and other changes. A urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR) is commonly used to look for kidney damage.
Imaging Tests: An ultrasound, CT scan, or other imaging test may be used to look at the kidneys and urinary tract or identify problems such as stones, blockage, cysts, or structural changes.
Renal Biopsy: In some cases, a small sample of kidney tissue is examined under a microscope. A biopsy can help identify the cause and type of certain kidney diseases.

Treatment depends entirely on the condition and how much kidney function has been affected. It may include medicines, lifestyle and dietary changes, treatment of the underlying cause, or procedures to treat a blockage or stone.

People with advanced kidney failure may need kidney replacement treatment, such as dialysis or a kidney transplant.

How Kidney Diseases Can Be Prevented

Not every kidney disease can be prevented, particularly inherited conditions such as polycystic kidney disease. However, you can take several steps to lower your risk of kidney damage and protect existing kidney function.

Regular check-ups: If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, or a family history of kidney disease, ask your doctor how often you should have your kidney function checked.
Manage diabetes and high blood pressure: Keeping blood sugar and blood pressure within your target range can help protect the kidneys.
Maintain a healthy weight: A healthy weight and regular physical activity can support kidney and overall health.
Reduce excess salt: Eating less sodium can help manage blood pressure and reduce fluid retention.
Be careful with painkillers: Frequent or inappropriate use of certain pain medicines, particularly NSAIDs, can harm the kidneys in some people. Ask your doctor before using them regularly.
Stay appropriately hydrated: Drink enough fluids for your needs, but do not assume that drinking excessive amounts of water will protect your kidneys. People with advanced kidney disease or certain heart conditions may actually need a fluid restriction.
Follow an appropriate diet: There is no single kidney diet for everyone. Depending on your kidney function and blood test results, your doctor or kidney dietitian may recommend changes to sodium, potassium, phosphorus, protein, or fluid intake.

Some specific types of glomerulonephritis include:

Acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis: This can develop after certain infections caused by group A Streptococcus, including some throat or skin infections.
Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis: A serious condition in which kidney function can decline quickly over days or weeks and requires prompt medical evaluation.
Membranous nephropathy: A kidney disease in which the filtering units become damaged, causing protein to leak into the urine.
Chronic glomerulonephritis: Long-term inflammation or damage to the glomeruli that can gradually reduce kidney function.
IgA nephropathy: A kidney disease caused by deposits of the antibody immunoglobulin A (IgA) in the glomeruli.

Conclusion

Your kidneys perform several important jobs, from removing waste to helping control blood pressure and maintain mineral balance. Common kidney conditions include CKD, AKI, kidney stones, kidney infections, PKD, and glomerular diseases. Because early kidney disease may cause no symptoms, regular testing is important if you have risk factors such as diabetes or high blood pressure. Healthy habits and proper treatment of existing health conditions can help protect kidney function. If you notice changes in urination, swelling, blood in the urine, or other concerning symptoms, talk to a healthcare professional.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can kidney disease be reversed or cured?

Some causes of kidney problems can be treated or reversed, especially when found early. Chronic kidney disease usually cannot be completely cured, but treatment can often slow its progression.

2. What dietary recommendations are beneficial for kidney health?

A balanced, lower-sodium diet is generally helpful, but potassium, phosphorus, protein, and fluid restrictions are not needed by everyone. Your diet should be based on your kidney function, blood tests, medicines, and other health conditions.

3. How often should kidney function be monitored?

There is no single schedule for everyone. People with diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, or a family history of kidney disease may need regular blood and urine tests based on their doctor’s advice.

4. Are there lifestyle changes to support kidney health?

Yes. Staying active, maintaining a healthy weight, eating less salt, managing blood pressure and diabetes, and avoiding unnecessary medicines that can harm the kidneys can help protect kidney health.

5. Can infections affect kidney health?

Yes, an untreated kidney infection can cause serious complications and, in some cases, kidney damage. Symptoms such as fever, chills, back or side pain, and painful urination should be evaluated promptly.