What causes kidneys to shrink?
Kidney shrinkage typically happens when kidney tissue becomes damaged over time. Several conditions can lead to this:
Common causes include
* Chronic high blood pressure, which strains the kidneys' filtering system
* Diabetes, which damages tiny blood vessels in the kidneys
* Chronic kidney Show Full Answer
What causes kidneys to shrink?
Kidney shrinkage typically happens when kidney tissue becomes damaged over time. Several conditions can lead to this:
Common causes include:
* Chronic high blood pressure, which strains the kidneys' filtering system
* Diabetes, which damages tiny blood vessels in the kidneys
* Chronic kidney infections that cause repeated damage
* Blockages in the urinary system that affect urine flow
Less common causes:
* Glomerulonephritis (inflammation of the kidney's filtering units)
* Polycystic kidney disease and other genetic conditions
* Autoimmune diseases like lupus
* Rare kidney diseases such as complement 3 glomerulopathy (C3G) or immune complex membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (IC-MPGN)
As kidney disease progresses and kidney function declines, the kidneys may shrink due to tissue scarring and loss of healthy kidney cells. This is why imaging tests like ultrasounds or MRIs can sometimes detect kidney damage by showing changes in kidney size or structure.
If you're concerned about kidney shrinkage, your healthcare provider can order imaging tests and blood work to assess your kidney health and determine the underlying cause.
April 14
Join
Your Privacy Choices
