Renal failure

Description renal failure

In the presence of renal failure cease to function properly, one or both kidneys. 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.

Renal failure is divided into two categories:

• Acute renal failure – sudden loss of kidney function;
• Chronic renal failure – slow, gradual loss of kidney function.

Causes of renal failure

Kidney disease occur, when the tiny filters in the kidneys (so-called nephrons) lose their ability to filter liquid. Damage to the nephrons may occur suddenly after an injury or poisoning. But the development of many kidney diseases can take years or even decades.

The two most common causes of kidney disease:

• Diabetes – High blood sugar levels can damage nephrons;
• High blood pressure – elevated blood pressure can cause damage to the blood vessels in the kidneys.

Other causes include:

• Pyelonephritis;
• Glomerulonephritis;
• Multicystic kidney disease;
• Birth defects of the kidneys;
• Bilateral renal artery stenosis;
• Poisoning;
• Severe injuries;
• Viral infections (eg, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV / AIDS);
• Long-term use of drugs, which contain aspirin, paracetamol, Ibuprofen;
• Abnormal accumulation of substances in the kidneys (eg, amiloidoz, protein accumulation);
• Toxic drug reactions, or X-ray dyes;
• Systemic diseases (eg, lupus, polyarthritis, granulematoz Wegener);
• Disorders, which dramatically reduces the amount of blood (eg, burns, pancreatitis, peritonitis);
• Disorders, that make it difficult urination (eg, an enlarged prostate, stones in the kidneys, tumor).

Risk factors for kidney failure

Factors, which increase the risk of renal failure:

• Diabetes;
• Genetics: multicystic kidney disease, diabetes 1 type;
• High blood pressure;
• Lupus or other autoimmune diseases;
• Long-term use of pain medications, containing aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) high dose;
• Hepatic failure, jaundice;
• Respiratory failure;
• HIV;
• Cancer;
• The recent open heart surgery;
• Recent surgery abdominal aortic aneurysm;
• Disorders, that make it difficult urination;
• Increased prostate.

Symptoms of kidney failure

Some kidney diseases begin without any symptoms. As the disease progresses may develop some of the following symptoms:

• Fluid retention;
• Swelling of the hands and feet, numbness in hands and feet, itching;
• Fatigue, insomnia;
• Small amount of urine (or no urine output in severe cases), frequent urination;
• Altered consciousness;
• Loss of appetite, malnutrition;
• Wounds, bad taste in the mouth;
• Nausea, vomiting;
• Muscle cramps and twitches;
• Breathlessness;
• High blood pressure;
• Low body temperature;
• Convulsions, coma;
• Breathing with the smell of urine;
• Yellowish brown color.

Diagnosis of renal failure

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical examination and prescribe analyzes, which may include:

Blood tests

If the kidneys are not working properly, blood will have the following parameters:

• Increase the content of the following substances:
  • Potassium;
  • Phosphorus;
  • Paratgormon;
  • Creatinine;
  • Blood urea nitrogen;
• Reduction of serum calcium.

Other Tests

• 24-hour urine test for protein;
• Ultrasound of the kidneys – uses sound waves to study the renal system (kidneys, bladder and ureter);
• Biopsy pochki – removal of a sample of kidney tissue to test its functioning.

Treatment of renal failure

Most chronic kidney diseases are not reversible. But there are treatments, which can maintain the function of the kidneys as possible. In cases of acute renal failure, treatment focuses on the illness or injury, force the issue.

General measures of treatment of kidney failure

• Fluid restriction;
• Daily checking weight;
• Eating a high-carbohydrate, Low protein.

Medications for the treatment of kidney failure

Medicines, used in acute or chronic renal failure may include:

• Diuretics – to increase the flow of urine, and bring the body of excess sodium (eg, furosemid, mannyt);
• Drugs to control blood pressure (eg, ACE inhibitors);
• Medications for the treatment of anemia (eg, epoetin alfa, vitamin C [витамин C]);
• Polystyrene sodium sulfate (kayeksalat) or insulin dekstrozoy – to control high potassium levels;
• Calcium Acetate – to control high phosphorus levels.

Dialysis

Dialysis – process, replaces the function of the kidneys to filter waste from the blood. It can be assigned to short-term, to improve renal function or until a kidney transplant.

Kidney Transplantation

For some patients Kidney Transplant It may be an optimal solution. The success of the transplant depends on many factors, such as the cause of damage to the kidneys and overall health.

Blood tests

The doctor will monitor the following indicators of blood:

• Sodium;
• Potassium;
• Calcium;
• Phosphorus;
• Red blood cells (erythrocytes);
• Gematokrit;
• Platelets.

Lifestyle changes

Here are the steps, to help the kidneys stay healthy longer:

• It is necessary to regularly check blood pressure. Take your medicines, to control high blood pressure;
• If you have diabetes, You need to control blood sugar;
• Avoid painkillers;
• If you have chronic kidney disease, perhaps, You need to limit the amount of protein consumed;
• Limit your intake of cholesterol and sodium;
• If you have severe kidney disease, you need to limit your intake of potassium.

If you are diagnosed with kidney failure, Follow your doctor's instructions.

Prevention of renal failure

In some cases it is impossible to prevent renal failure. But you can take some steps, which will reduce the risk of disease:

• Maintain normal blood pressure;
• If you have diabetes, You need to control blood sugar;
• Avoid prolonged exposure to toxic substances, such as lead and solvents;
• Do not abuse alcohol or anesthetic;
• Limit the amount of drugs, toxic to the kidneys;
• If you have chronic renal failure, Consult a physician, before planning a pregnancy.