Most people are born with two kidneys, with each kidney located on either side of the spine just under the lower ribs.
The kidneys have the following four main roles in the body:
- remove waste products from the body which are excreted through urine
- remove extra fluid from the body
- make and regenerate important hormones in the body
- control body chemistry by filtering blood and regulating the amount of salt, water and other chemicals circulating in the body.
Many diseases can affect the kidneys, including:
- diabetes
- inflammation of the kidneys, nephritis
- high blood pressure
- hereditary kidney diseases, such as polycystic kidney disease
- scarring of the kidney caused by backflow of urine from the bladder.
Symptoms and characteristics:
Kidney disease is often called a ‘silent disease’ as often there are few noticeable symptoms. Some signs and symptoms include:
- change in frequency and quantity of urine passed
- blood in the urine which is termed haematuria
- foaming urine
- puffiness around the eyes and ankles referred to as oedema
- pain in the back under the lower ribs, where the kidneys are located
- pain or burning when passing urine.
At the time kidneys begin to fail, the build-up of waste products and extra fluid in the blood, along with changes in hormone regulation can lead to:
- tiredness
- difficulty concentrating
- feeling unwell
- loss of appetite
- nausea and vomiting
- shortness of breath.
Workplace adjustments and solutions:
In the workplace there are various factors that would assist persons with kidney disease to better manage their symptoms. These include work restrictions and adjustments such as:
- restricting duties that require heavy lifting or long periods of standing
- increased rest or break periods
- flexible work hours including shortened work days or capacity to alter work hours depending on symptoms or treatment requirements
- capacity for time off work for hospital procedures and medical appointments, for example, dialysis treatment generally requires treatment three days a week
- if suitable to the work role, the capacity to work from home or hospital through the use of equipment such as a mobile phone and laptop on days when unable to attend the workplace due to treatment
- proximity to bathroom facilities.
Persons who undergo a kidney transplant may need significant time off work for surgery and recovery. For several months after the transplant, extra precautions to prevent infection are necessary because of the medications that must be taken to preserve the transplant.
There are solutions and adjustments for the following job requirements:
References:
Better Health Channel 2011, Kidney disease—prevention, State Government of Victoria, Melbourne, viewed 27 November 2011, http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Kidney_disease_prevention?OpenDocument.
Kidney Health Australia 2008, How our kidneys work, Kidney Health Australia, Melbourne, viewed 27 November 2011, http://www.kidney.org.au/KidneyDisease/Howourkidneyswork/tabid/590/Default.aspx.
MDA Internet 1991-2010, Kidney disease, Reed Group Ltd, Colorado, viewed 27 November 2011,
http://www.mdguidelines.com/.