Kidney Failure

Also called: ESRD, End-stage renal disease, Renal failure

Healthy kidneys clean your blood by removing excess fluid, minerals, and wastes. They also make hormones that keep your bones strong and your blood healthy. But if the kidneys are damaged, they don't work properly. Harmful wastes can build up in your body. Your blood pressure may rise. Your body may retain excess fluid and not make enough red blood cells. This is called kidney failure.

If your kidneys fail, you need treatment to replace the work they normally do. The treatment options are dialysis or a kidney transplant. Each treatment has benefits and drawbacks. No matter which treatment you choose, you'll need to make some changes in your life, including how you eat and plan your activities. But with the help of healthcare providers, family, and friends, most people with kidney failure can lead full and active lives.

NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Symptoms of Kidney Failure

The following features are indicative of Kidney Failure:
  • decreased urine output
  • fluid retention
  • drowsiness
  • shortness of breath
  • fatigue
  • confusion
  • nausea
  • chest pain or pressure
It is possible that Kidney Failure shows no physical symptoms and still is present in a patient.

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Common Causes of Kidney Failure

The following are the most common causes of Kidney Failure:
  • impaired blood flow to the kidneys
  • damage to the kidneys
  • urine blockage in the kidneys

Risk Factors for Kidney Failure

The following factors may increase the likelihood of Kidney Failure:
  • blockages in the blood vessels in the arms or legs
  • diabetes
  • high blood pressure
  • heart failure
  • kidney diseases
  • liver diseases

Prevention of Kidney Failure

Yes, it may be possible to prevent Kidney Failure. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
  • make a healthy lifestyle a priority
  • eat a balanced diet
  • drink alcohol only in moderation

Occurrence of Kidney Failure

Number of Cases

The following are the number of Kidney Failure cases seen each year worldwide:
  • Very common > 10 Million cases

Common Age Group

Kidney Failure can occur at any age.

Common Gender

Kidney Failure can occur in any gender.

Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Kidney Failure

The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Kidney Failure:
  • Urine output measurements: To measure the amount of urine you excrete in a day
  • Urine tests: To analyze the abnormalities
  • Blood tests: To measure the kidney function
  • Imaging tests: To see the structure of the kidneys

Doctor for Diagnosis of Kidney Failure

Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Kidney Failure:
  • Nephrologist
  • Endocrinologist

Complications of Kidney Failure if untreated

Yes, Kidney Failure causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Kidney Failure is left untreated:
  • fluid buildup
  • chest pain
  • muscle weakness
  • permanent kidney damage
  • can be fatal

Procedures for Treatment of Kidney Failure

The following procedures are used to treat Kidney Failure:
  • Dialysis: Removes the waste products and extra fluid from the blood
  • Kidney transplant: Surgically placing a healthy kidney from a donor into the another body

Self-care for Kidney Failure

The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Kidney Failure:
  • Lower potassium food intake: Protect you from the kidney failure
  • Avoid products with added salt: Reduces the chances of kidney failure
  • Limit phosphorus intake: Protects the bone weakness

Alternative Medicine for Treatment of Kidney Failure

The following alternate medicine and therapies are known to help in the treatment or management of Kidney Failure:
  • Acupuncture therapy: Improves the kidney function
  • Massage therapy: Rehabilitation strategies improves the well-being of kidneys
  • Do meditation: Improves the functioning of kidneys

Patient Support for Treatment of Kidney Failure

The following actions may help Kidney Failure patients:
  • Learn about disease: Read out the information as much as possible about the illness
  • Stay active: Stay involved in the activities and responsibilities of daily living
  • Family interaction: Share your feelings with family or close friends
  • Meetings with other patients: Share your feelings with other patients

Time for Treatment of Kidney Failure

While time-period of treatment for each patient may vary, below is the typical time-period for Kidney Failure to resolve if treated properly under an expert supervision:
  • Disease cannot be treated but only maintained or effects reduced

Last updated date

This page was last updated on 2/04/2019.
This page provides information for Kidney Failure.
Chronic Kidney Disease
Creatinine
Diabetic Kidney Disease
Dialysis
Kidney Cancer
Kidney Cysts
Kidney Diseases
Kidney Tests
Kidney Transplantation

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