Chronic Renal Failure

The kidneys have many essential bodily functions such as waste removal, urine production and electrolyte regulation. People with certain underlying conditions may have a gradual reduction of proper kidney functioning over time. This decline in your kidneys' ability to do their jobs properly is known as chronic renal failure. Your prognosis and treatment options depend on how soon you identify the renal failure. While you cannot reverse the damage, proper treatment often stabilizes the condition and reduces your chances of end stage renal disease.

Definition

• Healthy, fully functioning kidneys are necessary to ensure that excess waste does not accumulate and flow throughout our bodies. Kidneys release waste such as urea into the lower portions of the urinary tract. If your kidneys begin to fail, your kidneys' ability to process and excrete waste diminishes. Waste build-up may lead to more serious conditions such as heart disease, liver failure and immune system disorders. The longer you allow your kidneys to fail and waste to build-up, the more likely you are to run into major complications. Left untreated, chronic kidney failure may become so severe that you will need a kidney transplant.

Causes

• People do not just develop or "catch" chronic renal failure. Rather, chronic renal failure is a symptom of a larger disorder. Diabetes and high blood pressure are two of the most prominent causes of chronic renal failure. Additional causes include frequent kidney infections, prolonged exposure to high levels of lead or carbon tetrachloride, backed-up urine flow due to obstructions such as tumors or kidney stones, kidney artery stenosis and Alport syndrome.

Symptoms

• Initially, chronic renal failure will not produce any perceivable symptoms. However, as your kidney functioning decreases to around 75 percent, you may begin to notice problems. At first, symptoms may include hiccups, headache, itchiness, frequent exhaustion, lack of strength, nausea and weight loss. As the kidneys continue to fail, symptoms will become more severe. You may notice blood-tinged vomit, constant thirst, decrease in urine production, abnormally dark urine, ankle swelling, anemia and/or mood disturbances. If you notice any of these symptoms, visit a doctor immediately for evaluation. You may also have atypical symptoms so make sure to tell your doctor anything that you've noticed out of the ordinary.

Treatment

• Treatment will attack a few different fronts. Doctors will simultaneously try to treat the underlying condition causing your kidney failure and also the symptoms that result from kidney failure. Your doctor will recommend lifestyle and diet changes, along with condition-specific medication. Additional dietary changes will help to prevent further kidney damage as well. Limits on protein consumption, electrolytes, sodium, potassium and phosphorous are common dietary recommendations for people with chronic renal failure. If the kidney failure progresses far enough, you may need to undergo a dialysis regimen to filter waste from your body. In the most severe cases, you may need a kidney transplant.

Prevention/Solution

• If you have any conditions that you know may lead to kidney failure talk to your doctor about what you can do to protect your kidneys. Many of the dietary recommendations that help to slow the progression of renal failure will also help to prevent it. Diabetics should not waver from their doctor's guidelines and people with hypertension must limit the sodium in their diet. Daily exercise will also help to keep your kidneys healthy. Limit the amount of mercury and lead in your diet and avoid exposure to toxins or solvents such as carbon tetrachloride. In addition, refrain from drug and alcohol abuse and both may increase your chances of chronic renal failure.