The Silent Workhorses: Why Your Kidneys Deserve More Attention

When was the last time you thought about your kidneys? Chances are, not very often. Tucked quietly under your ribcage, these two bean-shaped organs work around the clock to keep you alive and well. Despite their vital role, kidney health is often overlooked — until something goes wrong. This Kidney Awareness Week, it’s time to shine the spotlight on these silent workhorses and understand why they deserve more attention.

What Do Your Kidneys Actually Do?

Your kidneys do far more than just filter urine. They are multitasking powerhouses with responsibilities that affect nearly every system in your body. Among their most important jobs:

• Filtering waste and toxins from your blood so they don’t build up and harm your body.
• Balancing fluids and electrolytes, ensuring the right amount of water, sodium, and minerals are circulating.
• Regulating blood pressure through hormone control.
• Producing essential hormones that help make red blood cells and keep your bones strong.
• Supporting overall wellbeing, from keeping your body’s pH in check to managing vital processes.

Without healthy kidneys, your body’s delicate balance quickly unravels.

Why Kidney Health Often Gets Overlooked

One of the biggest dangers with kidney disease is how quietly it develops. In the early stages, you may not feel any symptoms at all. By the time problems become noticeable—such as swelling, fatigue, or changes in urination—the damage is often advanced.

It’s a common misconception that kidney disease only affects older people or that it always causes pain. The truth is, kidney conditions can affect anyone, and many remain “silent” until they’ve already done harm. This is why awareness and early checks are so important.

The Rising Importance of Kidney Health

Lifestyle-related conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity are on the rise—and they are leading causes of kidney disease. In South Africa and around the world, chronic kidney disease is becoming a serious public health concern, placing pressure on individuals, families, and healthcare systems.

Taking kidney health seriously is not just about preventing illness—it’s about protecting your quality of life.

Simple Ways to Take Care of Your Kidneys

The good news is that protecting your kidneys doesn’t have to be complicated. Small, consistent steps can go a long way:

• Stay hydrated – water helps your kidneys flush out waste.
• Limit salt intake – too much salt raises blood pressure and can increase kidney stone formation.
• Manage blood pressure and glucose levels – keep them under control if you have hypertension or diabetes.
• Eat a balanced diet – avoid excessive processed foods, sugary drinks, and unhealthy fats.
• Don’t ignore changes – blood in the urine, foamy urine, persistent back pain, or swelling are red flags.
• Get checked if you’re at risk – family history, diabetes, and hypertension increase your risk.
• Avoid medication that can damage kidney function – anti-inflammatory pain medication specifically is very harmful.

When to See a Urologist

While general kidney health can be monitored by your GP, there are times when you should consult a urologist—especially if:

• You notice blood in your urine.
• You have recurrent kidney or bladder stones.
• You suffer from frequent urinary tract infections.
• You struggle with difficulty urinating or nighttime frequency.
• You have a diagnosis of kidney cancer or abnormalities detected on a scan.
• You have unexplained flank pain

Specialist input can mean the difference between long-term complications and effective management.

Looking Beyond the Usual Kidney Problems

Most people only associate kidney issues with well-known conditions like kidney stones, infections, or chronic kidney disease. While these are indeed common, there are also unusual or rare kidney disorders that many people have never heard of. These conditions often require specialised diagnostic tools and expert urological care.

In urology, kidney problems can range from the familiar to the highly complex. Below are some of the less common but important kidney conditions that every patient should be aware of:

1. Medullary Sponge Kidney (MSK)

• What it is: A congenital disorder where cysts form in the tubules of the kidney.
• Symptoms: Recurrent kidney stones, hematuria (blood in urine), urinary tract infections.
• Diagnosis: CT scan, IV pyelogram.
• Note: Often asymptomatic until adulthood.

2. Horseshoe Kidney

• What it is: A birth defect where the two kidneys are fused together at the bottom.
• Complications: Hydronephrosis, kidney stones, increased risk of certain cancers.
• Diagnosis: Imaging (ultrasound, CT, MRI).

3. Renal Tubular Acidosis (RTA)

• What it is: Kidneys fail to properly acidify urine.
• Symptoms: Muscle weakness, kidney stones, growth problems in children.
• Types: Distal (Type 1), Proximal (Type 2), Hyperkalemic (Type 4).
• Diagnosis: Blood gas and electrolyte tests.

4. Ureteropelvic Junction (UPJ) Obstruction

• What it is: Blockage at the junction where the ureter meets the kidney.
• Symptoms: Flank pain, UTIs, poor kidney function.
• Seen in: Children and young adults.
• Diagnosis: Renal scan, CT urogram.
• Treatment: Surgical (e.g., pyeloplasty).

5. Renal Artery Stenosis (RAS)

• What it is: Narrowing of arteries that supply the kidney.
• Symptoms: Refractory hypertension, worsening kidney function.
• Causes: Atherosclerosis or fibromuscular dysplasia.
• Diagnosis: Doppler ultrasound, CT angiogram.

6. Nephroptosis (Floating Kidney)

• What it is: Kidney drops into the pelvis when a person stands.
• Symptoms: Flank pain when standing, relief when lying down.
• Diagnosis: Upright/standing imaging.
• Treatment: Rarely needed; nephropexy surgery in severe cases.

7. Xanthogranulomatous Pyelonephritis (XGP)

• What it is: Rare, severe, chronic infection of the kidney.
• Symptoms: Fever, flank pain, weight loss.
• Often mistaken for: Kidney cancer.
• Associated with: Obstructing kidney stones (staghorn calculi).
• Treatment: Often requires nephrectomy (kidney removal).

8. Renal Infarction

• What it is: Sudden loss of blood supply to part of the kidney.
• Causes: Blood clot, embolism.
• Symptoms: Sudden flank pain, nausea, vomiting, elevated LDH in blood tests.
• Note: Rare but serious.

9. Kidney Tumours That Are Not Cancer

• Examples: Angiomyolipoma, oncocytoma, cystic nephroma.
• Often discovered: Incidentally during imaging.
• Management: Different from renal cell carcinoma.

10. Retroperitoneal Fibrosis

• What it is: Scar tissue develops behind the abdominal cavity, trapping the ureters.
• Symptoms: Flank pain, hydronephrosis, renal failure if untreated.
• Causes: Idiopathic, drug-related, cancer, autoimmune diseases.

Respect Your Silent Workhorses

Your kidneys may be small, but their impact is enormous. Don’t wait for a problem before giving them the attention they deserve. With the right care, lifestyle choices, and specialist guidance when needed, you can keep your kidneys functioning smoothly for a lifetime.

This Kidney Awareness Week, make a conscious choice to respect your silent workhorses—and if you need expert care, trust Dr. Conradie to guide you on the path to better kidney health.

Why Dr. MC Conradie?

Dr. MC Conradie is not only a urologist — she is a leader in minimally invasive laparoscopic and robotic urological surgery, providing world-class treatment for both common and complex kidney conditions. From cancer surgery to kidney stone management, her focus is on delivering precise, effective results with the least possible discomfort and downtime for her patients.

Whether you are a patient seeking expert care or a doctor looking to refer, Dr. Conradie’s expertise ensures that every patient receives the highest standard of urological treatment and support.