Normal Kidney Function
The kidneys are vital organs whose function is essential to maintain human life. Most people are born with two kidneys, located on either side of the spine, behind the abdominal organs and below the rib cage. The kidneys perform several critical functions to keep the body healthy.
- Blood Filtration : Kidneys remove waste products / toxins from our body, this waste is passed out from the body in the form of urine, water and chemicals necessary to body function are returned back into the absorption system as necessary
- Blood Pressure Regulation : Kidneys release several hormones into the system vital to maintain blood pressure
- Catalyse RBC Production : Kidneys stimulate the production of red blood cells by releasing hormone erythropoietin.
The normal anatomy of the kidneys involves two kidney bean shaped organs that produce urine. Urine is then carried to the bladder by way of the ureters. The bladder serves as a storehouse for the urine. When the body senses that the bladder is full, the urine is excreted from the bladder through the narrow tube called urethra.
Kidney Diseases
When the kidneys stop working, a condition that is medically referred to as renal failure occurs. If this renal failure continues (chronically), results in end-stage renal disease, with accumulation of toxins in the body. In such a case, either dialysis or transplantation is needed.
Common Causes of End-Stage Renal Disease
- Diabetes mellitus
- High blood pressure
- Glomerulonephritis
- Polycystic Kidney Disease
- Severe anatomical problems of the urinary tract
Treatments for End-stage Renal Disease
The treatments for end-stage renal disease are haemodialysis, a mechanical process of cleaning the blood of waste products/toxins; peritoneal dialysis, in which waste products are removed by passing chemical solutions through the abdominal cavity; and kidney transplantation.
Unfortunately none of these treatments are a definitive cure to end-stage renal disease, a kidney transplant offers the closest feel to a normal life as the transplanted kidney replaces the function of the failed kidneys. However, it also involves a life-long dependence on drugs to keep the new kidney healthy.
Patients suffering with kidney diseases consider a transplant after beginning dialysis; others consider it before starting dialysis. In some circumstances, dialysis patients who also have other medical complications such as cancer or active infections may not be suitable candidates for a kidney transplant.
Kidney Transplantation
Kidneys for transplantation come from two different sources: a living donor or a deceased donor.
You can ask your doctor for more details on the modalities.
We at Zydus, Ahmedabad have done 291 Kidney Transplants as of 5th March'2024.
Nephrology (Kidney / Renal diseases)
At Zydus Hospital, Ahmedabad Department of Nephrology (Kidney / Renal disease management) provides a complete range of consultative, diagnostic and treatment services for patients with kidney diseases with global standards of care offered by our leading specialists.
The scope of care encompasses various stages of kidney diseases right from earliest detectable changes in kidney function through end-stage kidney disease, as well as people with high blood pressure, kidney stones, and other kidney-related disorders like Acute Renal Failure, Chronic Kidney Disease.
Zydus Hospital houses an advanced 17 bed Renal Dialysis Unit with state of the art Fresenius Dialysis machines. The hospital offers convenient and quick facility for bed side dialysis across all ICU beds, for patients recuperating in the ICU no more shifting for dialysis.
A dedicated lift for transferring dialysis patients to the dialysis unit ensures ease & comfort for patients as well as relatives.
Our team at Department of Nephrology consists of renowned senior doctors with vast experience in management & treatment of Renal Disorders including transplant & renal cancers. The facility is complemented with well trained and customer focused paramedics & dedicated dialysis technicians.
Some of the conditions which are managed at the Zydus Hospitals are:
- Chronic & Acute Kidney Disease
- Diabetic Microvascular Complications
- Dialysis
- End-Stage Renal Disease
- Hypertension / high blood pressure
- Kidney Transplant
- Glomerular conditions, such as glomerulonephritis and nephrotic syndrome
- Tubulointerstitial kidney diseases
- Tubular defects
- Kidney vascular conditions, such as renal artery stenosis
- Kidney infections
- Kidney neoplasms, or abnormal growths
- Structural or functional abnormalities of the kidney, bladder, or urine collection system like nephrolithiasis
- Aasculitis
- Autoimmune conditions involving the kidneys
- Electrolyte, fluid, and acid-base imbalances or disturbances