Kidney Failure: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Kidneys are pair of organs which filter blood and remove toxins from body. These toxins are sent to bladder and body removes toxins during urination. The kidneys make hormones that control blood pressure, maintain blood metabolism and production of red blood cells. Kidney failure occurs when kidneys lose the ability to filter waste from blood. Many factors can interfere with kidney function and health such as:

  • Kidney Trauma
  • Severe Dehydration
  • Chronic and Acute Diseases
  • Toxic exposure to certain medications

End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or Kidney-failure is the last stage of chronic kidney disease. When kidney fails, it is difficult to survive without kidney transplant or dialysis at  Best Nephrology Hospitals in India.

Types

There are various types of kidney failure:

  • Acute Intrinsic Kidney Failure: It can be caused by trauma to the kidneys, such as accident or physical impact. The other reasons for this disease are ischemia, which means lack of oxygen to the kidneys.
  • Acute Prerenal Kidney Failure: This problem arises when kidneys don’t get sufficient blood flow. Without enough blood flow, it is difficult for kidney to filter toxins from the blood.
  • Chronic Prerenal Kidney Failure: When kidney didn’t get enough blood for extended period of time, kidneys begin to shrink.
  • Chronic Intrinsic Kidney Failure: This happens when kidney suffers from long-term damage or direct trauma to the kidneys.
  • Chronic Post-Renal Kidney Failure: When long-term blockage of urinary tract prevents urination, which causes pressure and kidney damage.

Causes

The causes of kidney failures are:

  • Insufficient of blood flow to the kidneys

Insufficient blood flow or sudden loss of blood flow to kidney can cause kidney failure. Some conditions that that cause loss of blood flow are:

    • Heart Disease
    • Dehydration
    • Liver failure
    • Heart Attack
    • Severe Infection
    • Anti-inflammatory medications can also disturb blood flow.
  • Urine elimination problems

Cancer (colon, cervical, bladder or prostate cancer) can block the urine passageways, building up toxins and overloading the kidneys. Other conditions interfering urination include:

  • Enlarged Prostate
  • Kidney Stones
  • Damage of nerves that control bladder

Other causes

Some other conditions that may lead to kidney failure are:

  • Infection
  • Overload of toxins from heavy metals
  • Blood clot around your kidneys
  • Antibiotics
  • Uncontrolled Diabetes
  • Chemotherapy drugs
  • Multiple Myeloma
  • Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome
  • Lupus
  • Drugs and alcohol

Symptoms

Sometimes there are few symptoms and sometimes none are present. The symptoms include:

  • Swelling of ankles, legs and feet
  • Reduced amount of urine
  • Fatigue or Excessive drowsiness
  • Persistent nausea
  • Seizures
  • Pain in chest
  • Shortness of breath

Diagnosis for kidney failure

The several tests to diagnose kidney failure are:

  • Urine volume measurements

It is one of the simplest tests to diagnose kidney failure. The low urinary output means kidney disease is due to urinary blockage.

  • Blood Samples

The blood test is done to measure substances that are filtered by kidneys such as creatinine (Cr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). A rise in these substances level can indicate kidney failure.

  • Imaging

Tests such as CT, MRIs and ultrasound provide images of kidney and find any blockage.

  • Kidney Tissue Sample

In this test, doctor will use kidney biopsy to collect tissue sample. Biopsy is a simple procedure in which sample is collected with the help of biopsy needle inserted through skin down to the kidney.

  • Urinalysis

The doctor takes urine sample to test for ay abnormalities, such as abnormal sugar or protein.

Treatment

The type of treatment to be done depends on the reason of kidney failure. The best nephrologist in India will determine the best treatment option, which may include:

  • Dialysis

In dialysis, blood is filtered using a machine. This machine performs the function of the kidneys. Depending on the type of dialysis, patient may be connected to portable catheter bag or a large machine. It is not cure for kidney failure, but can extend life if one goes to scheduled treatments.

  • Kidney transplant

Another treatment option is a kidney transplant. One has to wait to receive a donor kidney that is compatible. The advantages of transplant are that new kidney will work properly and dialysis is not required. Patient have to take immunosuppressive drugs after the surgery and these drugs have their own side effects.

Preventing kidney failure

There are various preventative steps that one can take to reduce the risk of kidney failure. Taking medication that is too high can increase toxin levels in body. This can overload the kidneys. Whenever possible, limit exposure to chemicals and other toxic products.

About the Author Tarun Batra

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