When you have kidney failure, one or both kidneys aren't able to work normally. The kidneys remove waste (in the form of urine) from the body. They also balance the water and electrolyte content in the blood by filtering salt and water.
Kidney failure is divided into two categories:
Kidney disease causes the tiny filters in the kidneys (called nephrons) to lose their ability to filter. Damage to the nephrons may occur suddenly after an injury or poisoning. But, many kidney diseases take years or even decades to cause damage that is noticeable.
The two most commons causes are:
Others causes include:
These factors increase your chance of developing kidney failure. Tell your doctor if you have any of these risk factors:
Some kidney diseases begin without any symptoms. As the disease progresses, some of the following symptoms may develop:
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. Tests may include:
If the kidneys are not working properly, the blood will show:
Most chronic kidney diseases are not reversible. But, there are treatments that may be used to help preserve as much kidney function as possible. In the cases of acute renal failure , treatment focuses on the illness or injury that caused the problem.
Medications used in acute or chronic kidney failure may include:
Talk to your doctor other medications that your are taking. These include prescribed and over-the-counter medications, as well as herbs and supplements. Since the kidneys are no longer working properly, waste can build up in your body.
Dialysis is a process that takes over for the kidneys and filters waste from the blood. This may be done for short-term, until kidney function improves. Or, it may be done you have a kidney transplant .
This may be the right option for some patients. Having a successful transplant depends on many factors, such as what is causing the kidney damage and your overall health.
Your doctor will monitor these blood levels:
The following are steps to help your kidneys stay healthy longer:
If you are diagnosed with kidney failure, follow your doctor's instructions .
In some cases, you cannot prevent kidney failure. But there are some steps you can take that will lower your risk:
RESOURCES:
National Kidney Foundation
http://www.kidney.org
National Kidney and Neurologic Disease Information Clearinghouse
http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/index.htm
Urology Health
http://www.urologyhealth.org/index.cfm
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Diabetes Association
http://www.diabetes.ca/
The Kidney Foundation of Canada
http://www.kidney.ab.ca
References:
Johnson CA, Levey AS, Coresh J, et al. Glomerular filtration rate, proteinuria, and other markers. Am Fam Physician. 2004;70:1091-1097.
Johnson CA, Levey AS, Coresh J, et al. Clinical practice guidelines for chronic kidney disease in adults: part I. Definition, disease stages, evaluation, treatment, and risk factors. Am Fam Physician. 2004;70:869-876.
Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative. K/DOQI clinical practice guidelines for bone metabolism and disease in chronic kidney disease. Am J Kidney Dis. 2003;42:S1-201.
Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative. K/DOQI clinical practice guidelines on hypertension and antihypertensive agents in chronic kidney disease. Am J Kidney Dis. 2004;43:S1-S9.
Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative. Kidney disease outcomes quality initiative (K/DOQI) clinical practice guidelines for chronic kidney disease: evaluation, classification, and stratification. Am J Kidney Dis. 2002;39:S1-266.
Shannon D. Medications for chronic kidney disease. EBSCO Health Library website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/thisTopic.php?marketID=15topicID=81 . Updated April 2007. Accessed July 17, 2008.
Snivel CS, Gutierrez C. Chronic kidney disease: prevention and treatment of common complications. Am Fam Physician. 2004;70:1921-1928.
Use of herbal supplements in chronic kidney disease. National Kidney Foundation website. Available at: http://www.kidney.org/atoz/atozItem.cfm?id=123 . Updated November 2005. Accessed July 16, 2008.
Your kidneys and how they work. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website. Available at: http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/yourkidneys/#10 . Updated August 2007. Accessed July 16, 2008.
Last reviewed November 2008 by Adrienne Carmack, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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