Category: Kidney Health

How Kidney Cancer Is Diagnosed and Treated

Most people diagnosed with kidney cancer are between 55 and 74, and twice as many men get kidney cancer as women. It is estimated that almost 82,000 new kidney cancer cases will be diagnosed in 2024 and over 14,000 people will die from the disease. It is more common among African Americans, American Indians, and Alaskan native people. Let’s take a look at how kidney cancer is diagnosed and treated.

Continue reading “How Kidney Cancer Is Diagnosed and Treated”

5 Common Symptoms of Kidney Cancer in Men

Kidney cancer, also referred to as renal cell carcinoma (RCC), is among the top 10 cancers found in men. About 40,000 new cases are reported each year, with a majority of them being in men over 40, who fall into the high-risk category. The good news is that there’s a very high survival rate, so it’s important to look for the warning signs to diagnose the disease early.

What are the most common signs of kidney cancer?

The most common symptoms tend to show up in the lower back area, or are evident in urine.

1. Blood in your urine

This is the most common symptom and typically the earliest sign of kidney cancer. Even the slightest amount of blood will affect the color of your urine, giving it either a brown or pink discoloration. You may also experience difficult or painful urination.Doctor pointing at a kidney.

2. Pain or discomfort in your side or back of the abdomen

This is a persistent, strong pain in your side that may be accompanied by a lump as well.

3. A loss of appetite

Kidney cancer may cause a loss of appetite and in turn a sudden weight loss not caused by conscious dieting.

4. An unexplained fever lasting longer than normal

This fever is different than others as it typically lasts for weeks and there isn’t a specific cause to associate it with such as a cold or other infection.

5. Extreme fatigue and weakness

People with kidney cancer experience constant and extreme tiredness and a feeling of weakness throughout the body.

 

Who is at high risk for kidney cancer?

Doctors are still unable to pinpoint the exact cause of kidney cancer, however they have picked up on a few common factors that may increase one’s risk. The number one factor is age. Kidney cancer is more prevalent in people over the age of 40 and continues to increase with each passing year. Other risk factors that may increase your chance of getting kidney cancer include:

  • Smoking
  • High blood pressure
  • Being male
  • Being obese or having diabetes
  • Genetic conditions/ family history of kidney cancer
  • Race (rates are higher in African-American and Hispanic individuals)

If you’ve been experiencing symptoms similar to those of kidney cancer or you feel you are at high risk due to the common risk factors, it’s a good idea to get tested. Testing is rather quick and painless. Doctors will just need a simple blood and urine test from you. If further testing is needed, your doctor will most likely refer you to a radiologist to get a CT scan, PET scan, MRI or ultrasound.

What Could Be Causing Recurring Kidney Stones?

There are few things in life as painful as passing a kidney stone. If you have had one, you know. The problem is that once you have a kidney stone, you are likely to get another one. In fact, you have a 35 to 50% chance of having another within 5 years. Nature can be cruel. Why is this the case, and what could be causing recurring kidney stones?

Continue reading “What Could Be Causing Recurring Kidney Stones?”

Self Care for Kidney Stones

If you have ever passed a kidney stone, you know the pain can be excruciating. You wouldn’t wish it on your worst enemy, well, maybe…. While some stones are so small, they pass without the person even knowing it, very large ones can be impossible to pass, and surgery may be required. If you are lucky, you can rely on self care for kidney stones.

Continue reading “Self Care for Kidney Stones”

Natural Ways To Prevent Kidney Stones

If you have experienced the excruciating pain of passing a kidney stone, you remember it well. You are probably aware that once you have one, there is a strong likelihood you will have another. Not a very comforting thought, but there are some natural ways to prevent kidney stones. Keep reading to discover some easy preventative methods.

Continue reading “Natural Ways To Prevent Kidney Stones”

Signs You Should Be Tested For Kidney Cancer

Screening tests to detect early kidney cancer do not exist, and unfortunately, there are few if any early symptoms of this cancer. Most patients don’t notice any signs until the tumor has grown larger and begins to affect other organs. Consequently, be prepared to recognize the signs you should be tested for kidney cancer.

Continue reading “Signs You Should Be Tested For Kidney Cancer”

When To See A Urologist For Kidney Stone Treatment

Ask anyone who has ever passed a kidney stone if they would like to do it again. Chances are, your answer will be an immediate “no!”

It can be one of the most painful things, maybe next to childbirth, we can endure. They will tell you to run to a urologist if you have certain symptoms, and they will tell you once you have a kidney stone, you are likely to have more. Then they will explain the importance of and when to see a urologist for kidney stone treatment.

Continue reading “When To See A Urologist For Kidney Stone Treatment”