How to Treat Kidney Atrophy?

Renal Atrophy

Renal atrophy is a result of various kidney diseases that are not treated in time and progress continuously to the end stage. In patients with renal atrophy, both the size and shape of the kidneys have changed. Renal atrophy is most often caused by chronic kidney diseases, such as chronic glomerulonephritis, hypertensive renal damage, etc., which can lead to severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing and chest tightness. So how to treat renal atrophy?

Treatment of Renal Atrophy

Renal atrophy indicates that the function of the kidneys has been damaged, and it is chronic. The next step is to identify the underlying disease that leads to renal atrophy, such as chronic nephritis, chronic interstitial nephritis, and other diseases. It is recommended to seek treatment in a formal hospital. A series of relevant examinations can be performed, including urine routine, blood routine, blood liver and kidney function ions, 24-hour urine protein quantification, rheumatism and immunology tests, and urological ultrasound, to find the primary disease and actively treat the underlying cause to suppress the primary disease. At the same time, drug treatment should be used to protect the kidneys, detoxify, reduce kidney fibrosis, lower blood pressure, reduce urine protein, and improve circulation.

Causes of Renal Atrophy

The size of the kidneys varies from person to person. In adults, the normal kidney length is approximately 10 cm, width is 5 cm, and thickness is 4 cm. The thickness of the parenchyma is approximately 1.5 to 1.7 cm, and the size is slightly smaller in women. Renal atrophy is the result of various kidney diseases, including primary, secondary, and inherited kidney diseases, that progress continuously to the end stage. Due to glomerular sclerosis and renal interstitial fibrosis, the volume of the kidneys will decrease, the cortex will thin, and renal atrophy will occur. Clinically, this can manifest as multiple systemic manifestations.

Symptoms of Renal Atrophy

Renal atrophy refers to changes in the morphology and size of the kidneys, which are smaller than normal. This condition is often caused by chronic kidney diseases, with common causes including chronic glomerulonephritis, IgA nephropathy, hypertensive renal damage, etc. The occurrence of renal atrophy often indicates that renal function has begun to decline. At this time, there may be elevations in creatinine and urea, which may be accompanied by gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, anorexia, and fatigue. Additionally, a decrease in glomerular filtration rate can lead to difficulty excreting water, sodium, and toxins from the body, resulting in lower extremity edema. In severe cases, acute manifestations such as chest tightness and difficulty breathing may occur. The treatment of renal atrophy primarily involves assessing the severity of the condition based on indicators such as renal function, creatinine, urea, urine routine, and urine protein quantification. Different stages of the disease may require different treatment approaches. If creatinine levels exceed 700 μmoI/L, indicating uremia, renal replacement therapy, such as hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis, may be necessary.