Kidney

What is the Function of the Kidneys?

The main function of the kidneys is to filter blood and expel waste through the urine. They also play an important role in maintaining calcium, sodium, and potassium levels, and producing hormones needed by the body to regulate blood pressure and prompt the bone marrow to make red blood cells. Aside from these, the kidneys eliminate harmful drugs and chemicals from the body and produce a type of vitamin D that promotes healthy bones.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and visiting a kidney clinic should you suspect something is wrong are important to ensure the health and functions of the kidneys.

What are the Most Common Kidney Conditions?

Singapore kidney clinics are fully equipped to diagnose and treat various kidney issues, including:

• Kidney Stones – One of the most common conditions that kidney specialists treat are kidney stones. These are hard deposits that have formed from the chemicals in one’s urine. They can be the size of a grain of sand or a golf ball. Smaller stones do not typically cause symptoms and pass naturally from the body in the urine. However, large stones can get stuck in the ureter, causing intense pain. In such cases, immediate medical attention at a centre for kidney diseases will be needed to remove the stones.

• Kidney Blockage – Also referred to as hydronephrosis, this condition is characterised by a blockage in the urinary tract. This blockage prevents the urine from being drained from the kidneys or in some cases, the urine may flow back up the kidneys. This can cause swelling of the kidney due to urine build-up. Kidney specialists in Singapore treat this with antibiotics or surgery, depending on the severity.

• Kidney Cysts – These are round pouches or sacs filled with fluid that grow on the surface or in the nephron of the kidneys. Simple kidney cysts are normal and common especially in those who are 50 years old and above. They are also harmless with a low risk that they will develop into something more serious.

• Kidney Cancer – This type of cancer begins in the kidney, and is characterised by an abnormal growth of cells that form a tumour. The most common form of kidney cancer is renal cell carcinoma, also called renal cell cancer, wherein malignant cancer cells are present in the lining tubules of the kidney. Symptoms include bloody urine, high blood pressure, flank pain, tiredness, or a lump in the kidney area. Treatments include surgery, immunotherapy and targeted therapy.