Atrophic Kidney: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, Diet, And More

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What is atrophic kidney?

Normal kidneys are about the size of a fist. An atrophic kidney is one that has shrunk to an abnormal size with abnormal function. This is also known as renal atrophy.

It’s not the same thing as renal hypoplasia, a condition in which the kidney is smaller from development in the womb and at the time of birth.

The kidneys are located on each side of the lower spine, just under the rib cage. The left kidney is usually a little larger than the right. The left kidney is usually also positioned slightly higher and closer to the heart than the right. One or both kidneys can atrophy, but it may be more likely to occur to the left kidney.

What are the signs and symptoms?

The kidneys filter waste products from the blood and remove excess water from the body. They also play important roles in the regulation of blood pressure.

In the early stages of kidney disease, you might not realize anything is wrong. It can take as much as a 30 to 40 percent loss of function for symptoms to appear. As the kidneys become less able to filter the blood, you may notice:

changes in frequency of urination
darkening skin
drowsiness
itchiness
loss of appetite
muscle cramps
nausea and vomiting
swelling of the hands and feet

Other signs of atrophic kidney include:

acidosis
anorexia
high creatinine concentration
electrolyte abnormalities
malnutrition

Your specific symptoms may depend on the reason for the kidney damage.

What causes it?

Kidney damage can start suddenly, such as when the kidney is severely injured or exposed to toxins.

Atrophic kidney may also be due to or associated with another medical condition, such as:

antiphospholipid syndrome
infection, such as tuberculosis
metabolic syndrome
narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis)
narrowing of the renal arteries (atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis)
obstruction of the urinary tract
sickle cell disease
cancer

Kidney damage generally occurs over a long period. This can happen because there’s insufficient blood flow to the kidneys.

You may be at higher risk of kidney disease if you have:

diabetes
a family history of kidney disease
heart disease
high blood pressure (hypertension)

How is it treated?

Much of your treatment will depend on the cause of the atrophy. Treating the underlying condition may help prevent further damage to your kidney.

Even with an atrophic kidney, your kidneys may still be functioning well enough to get the job done. But if your kidneys are functioning at less than 10 to 15 percent, you’re in kidney failure. That means you need treatment to do the work of the kidneys.

One way to do this is through dialysis.

In hemodialysis, your blood is run through an artificial kidney apparatus called a hemodialyzer that removes waste products. In peritoneal dialysis, a fluid called dialysate is used to fill your abdomen to filter waste in your body through a peritoneal dialysis catheter.

Dialysis helps do the work your kidneys can no longer do. But it’s not a cure. You’ll need to have dialysis several times a week for the rest of your life or until you get a kidney transplant.

You can receive a healthy kidney from a living or a deceased donor. The wait for a suitable kidney can take years, though. After a transplant, you’ll need to take antirejection medications for the life of the kidney.

Is there a special diet?

Atrophic kidney can’t be reversed or cured with diet. But diet plays a vital role in treatment of kidney disease. Here are some kidney-healthy dietary tips:

Cut down on sodium

This will help control your blood pressure. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease (NIDDK) recommends a diet containing less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day. Here are some pointers for reducing sodium:

Choose fresh foods rather than packaged foods whenever possible.
When using canned foods, rinse before cooking or serving.
When shopping, check labels for sodium content.
Opt for home cooking in place of restaurants and fast foods.
When preparing food, replace salt with other seasonings.

Pay attention to protein

The more protein you eat, the harder your kidneys have to work. But you do need some protein. You can get it from animal products such as:

chicken
dairy
eggs
fish
meat

Portion size matters, too. A portion of chicken, fish, or meat is 2 to 3 ounces. A portion of yogurt or milk is half a cup. One slice of cheese is a portion.

You can also get protein from beans, grains, and nuts. A portion of cooked beans, rice, or noodles is half a cup. A portion of nuts is a quarter of a cup. One slice of bread is a portion.

Take care of your heart

Heart-healthy foods help keep fat from accumulating in your heart, blood vessels, and kidneys. Incorporate the following tips for a more heart-healthy diet:

Skip deep-fried foods in favor of those that are baked, grilled, roasted, or stir-fried.
Cook with olive oil instead of butter.
Limit saturated and trans fats.

Some good choices are:

fruits and vegetables
beans
low-fat or fat-free yogurt, cheese, and milk
fish
poultry with the skin removed
lean cuts of meat with the fat removed

If kidney function continues to decline, your doctor will make personalized dietary recommendations. Kidney disease can cause phosphorus to build up in your blood, so you might be advised to choose foods that are lower in phosphorus. These include:

fresh fruits and vegetables
bread, pasta, and rice
rice- and corn-based cereal

Phosphorus may be added to packaged food and deli meats, as well as fresh meat and poultry, so be sure to read labels.

Poorly functioning kidneys can also lead to a potassium buildup. Lower-potassium foods include:

apples and peaches
carrots and green beans
white bread, white rice, and pasta

Some higher-potassium foods are:

bananas and oranges
beans and nuts
bran cereal
brown and wild rice
dairy foods
potatoes, tomatoes
salt substitutes
whole-wheat bread and pasta

Talk to your doctor about your diet. It might also be helpful to consult with a dietitian.

What is the outlook?

You can live a long, healthy life with only one healthy kidney. However, you’ll need to watch your diet and see your doctor regularly.

In some cases, chronic kidney disease leads to kidney failure. It’s a serious problem if your kidneys are functioning below 25 percent.

For people on dialysis, the average life expectancy is 5 to 10 years, but some may live as long as 30 more years.

The average kidney transplant lasts 12 to 20 years when from a living donor and 8 to 12 years when from a deceased donor.

Of course, much depends on your age and other health considerations. Your doctor can give you more of an idea of your outlook based on your personal situation.

Can it be prevented?

Atrophic kidney can’t always be prevented. But there are some measures you can take to keep your kidneys as healthy as possible.

First, try to prevent those conditions that can damage your kidneys, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. If you already have such a condition, work to keep it under good control.

Your diet should be rich in:

fruits and vegetables
whole grains
low-fat or fat-free dairy products

Limit your intake of:

highly processed or fried foods
sodium
sugar
alcohol

Here are a few other tips:

Try to exercise for at least 30 minutes on most days.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Try to get seven to eight hours of sleep every night.
Don’t smoke tobacco products.
Take medication as prescribed.
Monitor your cholesterol levels.
Have urinary tract infections (UTIs) treated as quickly as possible.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Benefits of kidney transplant versus dialysis.(n.d.).https://www.bidmc.org/centers-and-departments/transplant-institute/kidney-transplant
Davron R, et al. (2014). Left renal atrophy.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/264056601_Left_renal_atrophy
Dialysis. (2015).https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/dialysisinfo
Eating right for chronic kidney disease.(2016).https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/chronic-kidney-disease-ckd/eating-nutrition
Kidney disease: Chronic kidney disease.(2015).https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15096-kidney-disease-chronic-kidney-disease
Kidney transplant. (2018).https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/kidney-failure/kidney-transplant
MahjourM, et al. (2016). Food strategies ofrenal atrophy based on Avicenna and conventional medicine. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcme.2016.12.004
Mukta Mukherjee M, et al. (2017). Left sidedatrophic kidney and raised APLA in association with arcuate uterus.https://www.ijcmr.com/uploads/7/7/4/6/77464738/ijcmr_1254_feb_29.pdf
Preventing chronic kidneydisease. (2016).https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/chronic-kidney-disease-ckd/prevention

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Medically reviewed by Stacy Sampson, D.O. — Written by Ann Pietrangelo — Updated on May 26, 2018

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What is atrophic kidney?

What are the signs and symptoms?

What causes it?

How is it treated?

Is there a special diet?

Cut down on sodium

Pay attention to protein

Take care of your heart

What is the outlook?

Can it be prevented?

How we reviewed this article:

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