The fear of kidney disease is known as Albuminurophobia. When someone develops an intense and persistent fear of contracting kidney disease, they suffer from this surprisingly common phobia.
Why Do People Fear Kidney Disease?
The kidneys assist the body with eliminating excess waste. Kidney malfunction can cause severe health problems. Kidneys also regulate hormone production and use within the human body. When the kidneys cease to work normally, or fail entirely, dangerous waste builds up in the body, causing a host of difficulties.
Reasons Why Kidney Disease Occurs
There are a variety of reasons why kidney disease develops in men, women, and children. Diabetes can be a trigger for kidney problems. Infections and cardiovascular problems can also put stress on the kidneys and cause disease. Nephritis occurs when the kidneys become iinflamed, and it can be quite serious.
High blood pressure is very common in our modern world, and it is also one of the primary reasons why kidney problems develop. Also, when arteries harden for any reason, kidney disease is more apt to occur.
Symptoms Of Kidney Disease
For people who fear kidney disease, certain symptoms may be frightening. There are a few key symptoms that are related to problems with the kidneys. For example, a fever may be an indicator of kidney disease. Intense thirst, puffy extremities and face (from edema, or fluid retention), and nausea are just a few common symptoms. Obviously, people with Albuminurophobia may be wary of these health issues. They may also mistake other illnessness for kidney problems. A proper checkup is required to sort out why symptoms are happening.
Family Medical History Plays A Role
If a person has watched another family member suffer through kidney disease or failure, they may grow phobic. They may also feel that they are doomed to suffer the same fate. Family medical histories and genetics can play a role in kidney health.
In some cases, kidney failure can be devastating and even fatal. If the kidney will not work properly, dialysis may be necessary. A kidney transplant may also be an option to extend life and give new hope to those with kidney disease.
Kidney Stones
A kidney stone is a solid mass of crystals that are derived from ingredients in the urine. Most people do not develop kidney stones, because there are special systems in the human body that inhibit their formation. When these inhibitors do not work properly, a kidney stone may result. Those who have experienced kidney stones are much more llikely to develop this phobia. They feel that the kidney stones are a signal that something is not right with their vital organs.
More than 5 percent of the American population has suffered from kidney stones during the 1990′s. In previous decades, numbers were far lower. The higher incidence of this problem today may be related to modern diet, or any other variables.
Some doctors feel that kidney stones are genetic. They can be caused by a disorder known as renal tubular acidosis.
Treatment Of Kidney Problems Can Be Traumatic
Dialysis is a time-consuming procedure that mimics the normal, healthy functions of the kidney. It helps to regulate the minerals in the body, and to stabilize fluid levels. However, dialysis cannot solve everything. It does not fix the problems in the endocrine system, and people who undergo dialysis can still have health problems related to their kidneys.
Some people report feeling exhausted and drained after dialysis treatment, but it is not usually painful. It does take time, and many people need to change their schedules and lifestyles to make room for the life-saving treatment.
Symptoms Of Albuminuraphobia
People with this phobia will be health-conscious in the extreme. They may be obessive about diet and exercise, and take great pains to avoif any stress to the kidneys. If they suffer from diabetes, which acts as a trigger for their phobia, they will worry a lot about what it is doing to their organs. Some people may feel nauseous and panicky when confronted with information about kidney diseases and malfunctions. If family history plays a role in prompting this phobia, they may avoid people in their family who suffer from kidney disease.
Treatment For Fear of Kidneys
Psychotherapy and reliable medical care from a trusted doctor will help to reassure the person with Albuminuraphobia. A course of anti-depressants may be required to ease tension.
