Iconic actor Satish Shah, best known for his role in the popular Indian sitcom, Sarabhai vs Sarabhai and various Bollywood movies, passed away at the age of 74.
"Sad and shocked to inform you that our dear friend and a great actor Satish Shah has expired few hours ago due to kidney failure. He was rushed to Hinduja hospital, where he breathed his last. A great loss to our industry. Om Shanti," mentioned a post by filmmaker Ashoke Pandit on Instagram.
The news came as a shock to all who loved and followed his work. His death also piqued the interest of many who wanted to know the reason behind kidney failure and how it could be prevented.
What is the function of a kidney?
The bean-shaped organs, which are just about the size of one's fist, have a role that cannot be underestimated in the proper functioning of the body.
Among the various functions, they are responsible for eliminating toxins from the body, filtering the blood and pushing out the waste products from the body in urine.
What are the most common causes of kidney failure?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, diabetes and high blood pressure are the most common causes of chronic kidney disease and kidney failure.
High blood sugar levels can damage not just the kidneys but also other organs. High blood pressure stresses the body's blood vessels.
Among other causes that cause kidney failure are:
Polycystic kidney disease (PKD): A condition that an individual inherits from one of their parents that causes fluid-filled sacs (cysts) to grow inside the kidneys.
Glomerular diseases: These affect how well the kidneys filter waste.
Autoimmune kidney diseases: Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can cause organ damage, joint pain, fever and skin rashes.
Apart from these causes, kidney failure can also develop quickly because of an unexpected cause. Acute kidney failure (acute kidney injury) occurs when the kidneys suddenly lose their ability to function.
Common causes of acute kidney failure include:
Certain medications
Severe dehydration
A urinary tract obstruction
Untreated systemic diseases, such as heart disease or liver disease.
For more information, consult a health expert.