Chronic renal failure – Chronic kidney disease

Chronic Renal Failure (Chronic Kidney Disease)

Description of chronic renal failure

Chronic renal failure occurs, When the kidney is damaged and cannot work effectively. The kidneys remove waste (in the form of urine) of body. They also maintain the balance of water and electrolytes in the blood by filtering salt and water. If the disease is detected at an early stage, kidney disease can be slowed, but not stopped completely.

Causes of chronic renal failure

Chronic renal failure is often caused by other diseases, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and various kidney diseases (stones in the kidneys, benign prostatic hypertrophy, multicystic kidney disease, medical kidney). Some patients have serious infections (eg, hepatitis B and HIV) or autoimmune diseases (eg, lupus) They can also cause kidney disease.

Risk factors for chronic kidney disease

If you have any of the risk factors, tell your doctor. Factors, that increase the likelihood of chronic renal failure:

• Genetics: diabetes 1 type, multicystic kidney disease;
• Diabetes;
• High blood pressure;
• Cigarette smoking;
• Alcohol abuse;
• Exposure to high doses of lead;
• Being overweight or obese;
• The presence of other family members with kidney disease;
• Previous kidney transplantation.

Symptoms of chronic renal failure

These symptoms, in addition to chronic renal failure, They may be caused by other diseases. If you experience any of them, should seek medical advice immediately.

Symptoms include:

• Fatigue;
• Weakness;
• Bad dream;
• Poor appetite;
• Nausea;
• Itch;
• Breathlessness;
• Changes in taste;
• Changes in mental status.

Diagnosis of chronic renal failure

The most reliable way to find kidney disease is testing for glomerular filtration rate. This speed, which blood flows, cleared, and then exits from the kidney. The index less 60 ml per minute for three months shows, that there is a chronic kidney disease.

A blood test for levels of creatine is a part of calculating the filtration rate. Creatine – acid, which promotes the growth of muscles. When the kidneys are not working efficiently, amount of creatinine in the blood increases. Other tests include measurement of such substances, calcium, phosphorus, Parathyroid hormone, potassium, blood urea nitrogen (AMK) and bicarbonate.

The physician also looks for protein in urine, especially a protein called albumin. It can also be assigned Ultrasonography.

Patients, who already have a high risk of kidney disease should be tested more frequently, as early as possible to diagnose disease. Patients with kidney disease are sent to a specialist (nephrologist), who specializes in treating kidney disease. In rare cases, a kidney biopsy is done.

Treatment of chronic renal failure

Although chronic kidney disease can not be cured, kidney damage can be retarded in the majority of patients. Your doctor may recommend steps, which will help keep the body in good condition:

• Reduction of protein in the urine by restricting the amount of protein in the diet or in pharmaceutical preparations;
• ACE inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor antagonists to slow the progression of chronic renal failure;
• Reducing the use and doses of potentially toxic to the kidney drugs;
• Control complications of chronic kidney disease (eg, control fluid accumulation, High phosphate levels or blood levels of potassium, low blood calcium levels and anemia);
• Reducing high blood pressure;
• Controlling blood sugar and lipid levels;
• Gidratatsiya;
• Control of salt in food;
• We need to quit smoking;
• Dialysis may be appointed – procedure, which purifies the blood;
• Sometimes it is possible to perform a kidney transplant;
• Consultations for the patient and family members about the options for dialysis and / or transplantation.

Prevention of chronic renal failure

To reduce the risk of chronic renal failure, you must perform the following procedures:

• Each year, undergo a medical examination, that includes a urine test to monitor renal;
• Do not smoke. If you smoke, to throw;
• Maintain a healthy weight;
• Drink water and other fluids, to avoid dehydration;
• People, who suffer from diabetes, previously diagnosed kidney disease, high blood pressure or age 60 We should be screened regularly for kidney disease;
• People with a family history of kidney disease should also regularly inspect the condition of the kidneys.