Published: 2015-07-17 years Updated: 2020-09-15
Author: Thomas C. Weiss | Contact: disable-world.com
Peer-reviewed publications: N / A
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Summary: Information regarding the basics of kidney failure, a condition when the kidneys lose their ability to filter waste products out of the blood. Acute kidney failure can be a reversible condition. If a person is in good health, they can recover to average kidney function. A lot of blood loss, a severe infection known as ‘sepsis’, can reduce blood flow to a person’s kidneys, dehydration or injury can damage the kidneys.
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What is kidney failure?
Kidney failure, also known as renal failure or renal failure, is defined as a medical condition in which the kidneys are unable to adequately filter waste products out of the blood. The two main forms are acute kidney injury that is usually reversible with adequate treatment and chronic kidney disease that is usually irreversible. In either case, there is usually an underlying cause.
Renal failure is divided into Chronic Renal Failure and Acute Renal Failure. The information below relates to the basics of kidney failure. Acute kidney failure means that a person’s kidneys suddenly lose their ability to filter waste products out of the blood. When a person’s kidneys stop working, fluid and waste build up in their body, which can cause potentially fatal problems.
Causes of acute kidney failure
Acute kidney failure can be a reversible condition. If a person is in good health, they can recover to average kidney function. The following are the causes of acute kidney failure.
- Kidney stones: Kidney stones, an enlarged prostate, or a tumor can cause a sudden blockage that prevents urine from draining out of a person’s kidneys.
- Severe blood loss: Massive blood loss, a severe infection known as ‘sepsis’, which can reduce blood flow to a person’s kidneys, dehydration or injury that can damage the kidneys.
- Damage from toxins, drugs, or infections: Damage from these includes drugs that can sometimes damage a person’s kidneys. Examples of these drugs include ACE inhibitors, gentamicin or streptomycin, or even dyes used in certain types of X-ray tests.
A person is more at risk for acute kidney failure if they have heart failure, are obese, have long-standing diabetes, or have high blood pressure. Other things that increase the risk of acute kidney failure include being sick and having been in the hospital, having abdominal or heart surgery, a bone marrow transplant, or if the person affected is Elderly.
Chronic kidney failure: Compared to acute kidney failure, chronic kidney failure means that a person’s kidneys are no longer able to function as they should as the condition gets worse. Chronic kidney failure is difficult to reverse because most of the patient’s kidney function has been lost. Most people with kidney failure choose dialysis treatment or a kidney transplant.
Figure 2. Location of the kidney in the female body.
Diagnosis of acute renal failure
If a person is already in the hospital, other tests are done that can reveal kidney failure. If the person is not in the hospital, but has symptoms of kidney failure, the doctor will ask about their symptoms, the tests that were done, as well as the medications the person took. The person’s symptoms can help point to the cause of their kidney problems.
The diagnosis of chronic kidney failure is confirmed through a blood test that measures the accumulation of waste products in the patient’s blood. Creatine, BUN, and glomerular filtration rate (GMR) are routine blood tests used to measure the accumulation of waste products in the blood. GFR is the rate at which blood is filtered through the kidneys and can be calculated based on creatinine clearance, gender, age, and race. BUN and creatinine increased, while GFR decreased.
Urine tests may be done to measure protein or electrolyte levels or to detect the presence of abnormal cells. For most people, there is little or no protein in their urine, so protein in the urine is not normal and can be a sign that the person’s kidneys have been damaged. Abnormal accumulations of red and white blood cells known as ’embryos’ can be seen in the urine of people with kidney disease. The type of powder in a person’s urine can help reveal what type of kidney disease they have. Whether a person’s kidneys are able to properly monitor and filter the blood can be determined by comparing the levels of electrolytes in their urine and blood.
Additional tests are used to diagnose this type of kidney failure. A biopsy of the person’s kidney uses a thin needle to pierce the person’s skin into the kidney to remove a small amount of tissue with the goal of examining the tissue under a microscope. Abdominal ultrasound can assess the size of a patient’s kidneys and can determine if an obstruction is present. Some other tests that can diagnose kidney failure with greater accuracy include:
- Cystatin-C
- Homocysteine (HCY)
- Urine osmotic pressure
- Serumβ-2 microglobulin
- retinol binding protein (RBP)
- Urine immunoglobulin G (U-IgG)
Symptoms of acute kidney failure
People with acute kidney failure need to be aware of the signs and symptoms that their kidney function may be declining. Additional evaluation and treatment by a nephrologist may be required. Symptoms of acute kidney failure may include:
- Rib pain
- Anorexia
- Nausea and vomiting
- Little or no urine when urinating
- Swelling, especially of the feet and legs
- Feeling confused, anxious, sleepy and restless
Symptoms of chronic kidney failure
When an affected person’s kidney function decreases, symptoms of kidney failure involve an inability to regulate water and electrolyte balance, remove waste products from the person’s body, as well as promote red blood cell production. Symptoms of chronic kidney failure may include the following:
- Comatose
- Anemia
- Tired
- Swelling
- Comatose
- Proteinuria
- Picky eaters
- Shortness of breath
- High Blood Pressure
- High creatinine level
- Nausea and vomiting
Figure 1. Location of the kidney in the male body.
Treatment of kidney failure
When the condition develops into kidney failure, a person’s kidneys are already severely damaged. Much of their kidney function was lost. For people with kidney failure there are several different treatment options. The following is a description of treatment options.
Hemodialysis:
Because a person’s kidneys have not been able to eliminate waste products out of the body in the stage of kidney failure, people have to rely on machines to help. The machine can help them remove waste products from the blood. Dialysis can help people reduce waste levels and maintain their lives to some extent. Dialysis simply replaces one of the regular functions of a person’s kidneys; however, dialysis treatment has the potential for a number of different side effects, including nausea, vomiting, headache, or low blood pressure. Although dialysis can prolong the lives of people with kidney failure, some people face kidney transplant surgery if possible.
Kidney transplant:
A kidney transplant could be the ultimate life-saving straw. A kidney transplant can help people with kidney failure free themselves from dialysis and prolong their life; However, not all affected people who receive a kidney transplant are so lucky and no one can guarantee the success of the operation. To get a kidney transplant, waiting for a new kidney can take years. After receiving a kidney, a person must take anti-rejection medication for the rest of his or her life. Medicines; however, it is possible to destroy the person’s innate immune system and the person may find that after a while – creatinine levels rise again.
Immunotherapy:
Immunotherapy is a systemic therapy that some people don’t know about. Immunotherapy consists of six steps including (in order) immunotherapy:
- Diagnose
- Relieve
- Block
- Endurance
- Adjust
- Protection
Each step has a clear purpose. The aim of immunotherapy is to repair the damaged kidneys of the patient, enhance kidney function, and rebuild the body’s innate immune system. The most attractive feature of immunotherapy is the use of traditional Chinese medicine; It plays a very important role in this process.
Complications of kidney failure
If kidney failure is not treated in time, a number of complications can occur. Complications can make people with kidney failure suffer more, and can even be fatal. The following are descriptions of possible kidney failure complications.
- Skin symptoms:
Itchy skin is a common symptom for people with kidney failure. The person’s skin becomes dry and rough and the person may also experience bruising.
- Respiratory system symptoms:
Due to acidosis, a person’s expired gas has the taste of urine. If the condition is severe – pulmonary edema, pulmonary calcification or cellulosic pleurisy may be present.
- Digestive system symptoms:
The earliest symptoms of the digestive system for people with kidney failure are poor appetite, indigestion. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may occur as a person’s condition worsens. People with kidney failure often also have gastrointestinal bleeding.
- Nervous system symptoms:
Nervous system is the main symptom of Uremia. In the early stages of urethritis, patients often feel fatigue, headache, and reduced comprehension and memory. As the condition worsens, people may experience muscle cramps, ‘discomfort’, drowsiness and even coma.
- Cardiovascular system symptoms:
Due to renal hypertension, hyperkalemia, acidosis, sodium water retention and anemia – people with kidney failure can develop arrhythmias, myocardial failure, or heart failure. Due to irritation of the person’s urea, they may also develop aseptic pericarditis. When severe, cellulose exudates and hemorrhages may appear in the patient’s pericardial cavity.
Author credentials:
Thomas C. Weiss is a researcher and editor for Disabled World. Thomas attended college and university courses for a Master’s, Bachelor’s and two Associate’s degrees, as well as studying Disability Studies. As a Nursing Assistant, Thomas has supported people of many racial, religious, gender, class and age groups by providing care to people with all forms of disabilities. disability from Multiple Sclerosis to Parkinson’s; paralysis and quadriplegia for spina bifida.
Disability World is an independent disability community founded in 2004 to provide disability news and information to people with disabilities, seniors, their families and/or carers. . Check out our homepage for helpful news, reviews, sports, stories and guides. You can also connect with us on Twitter and Facebook or learn more about Disability World on our about us page.
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• Citation of this Page (APA): Thomas C. Weiss. (2015, July 17). Kidney failure: Symptoms, causes, and treatment. The world of people with disabilities. Accessed October 23, 2022 from www.disabled-world.com/health/renal.php
• Permalinks: Kidney failure: Symptoms, causes and treatment
