About eight (8) months ago, Arabella’s chronic kidney disease was diagnosed. She was an adolescent, going to school, having fun with her friends and family, and living a happy life. However, in June 2016, she began to feel weak, fatigued, and dull, and she stopped doing her “normal” routines. After she started vomiting the next day, her vision became blurry. She thought it was because she hadn’t eaten and was quite tired.
She ignored the symptoms, believing they would go away on their own, but they didn’t. The symptoms had only gotten worse by the time she’d traveled to see her grandparents. Her mother became more concerned about her health. After another day, her mother decided to take her to a neighboring hospital. She was given some prescription drugs to take home with her.
Her mother noticed she was pale as snow. She, with the help of a friend, who was a nephrologist (doctor of kidneys), checked to see what was going on with Arabella. They noticed her kidneys were failing and did everything possible to stabilize her. A week later, they said they couldn’t do anymore. As a result, they referred to a bigger facility.
Just like Arabella, this could happen to anyone. In today’s article, we look at how teenagers get kidney disease, warning signs of kidney disease, and others.
The kidneys serve as the body’s filtering system. They help control water levels and eliminate wastes through urine (pee). They also aid in the regulation of blood pressure, red blood cell formation, and calcium and mineral levels.
What causes kidney disease in adolescents?
Hypertension and diabetes are the two most common causes of CKD in adults. These conditions are uncommon among teenagers. However, more young people are becoming susceptible to these diseases as a result of unhealthy eating habits that contribute to excessive weight gain.
Warning Signs of Kidney Disease
The majority of teenagers develop CKD as a result of congenital or acquired illnesses, such as:
1. Urinary tract infection (when bacteria goes up into the bladder and multiply, UTIs occur.)
2. Reflux nephropathy (occurs after a teenager has a UTI)
3. Nephrotic syndrome (occurs when the kidneys are diseased and unable to keep protein from leaking into the urine)
4. Nephritis (inflammation of the kidney)
If your child exhibits the following symptoms, see a doctor:
1. Low-grade fever
2. An abdominal ache that doesn’t seem to go away
3. severe headaches regularly
4. Urine with an unpleasant odor
5. High blood pressure
6. Urine that is cloudy, bloody, or dark brown
7. Burning sensation when urinating
8. Poor appetite
9. Slow growth or weight gain
10. Painful urination
