Renal Insufficiency Definition

Renal insufficiency may sound like a very complicated condition, but it really has a pretty simple definition: The kidneys are no longer able to handle their jobs. What's more complicated about this disease is how to treat it (it can't be cured), as treatment often involves both dealing with an underlying condition and trying to conserve the remaining function of the kidneys at the same time. There are treatments available and, in advanced cases, dialysis and transplants can save lives.

Definition

• Renal insufficiency occurs when the kidneys no longer have enough healthy tissue to function properly: They can no longer store electrolytes and filter out waste products into urine. Other similar terms include "renal failure" and "kidney failure." The term "renal insufficiency" is usually used in cases of chronic renal insufficiency, when the kidneys are affected by a long-term condition (as opposed to acute kidney failure, where the kidneys suddenly fail because of an infection, reaction to a drug, or an injury). With chronic renal insufficiency, the kidneys slowly fail over time and continue to worsen even with outside treatment.

Chronic Insufficiency

• Chronic renal insufficiency can be caused by many underlying diseases. The most common conditions to cause chronic renal insufficiency include diabetes and high blood pressure. Other conditions that can lead to renal insufficiency include kidney stones, kidney infection, glomerulonephritis (a type of kidney inflammation) and urine flowing back upwards into the kidneys. Chronic renal insufficiency causes fluid and waste products to accumulate in the body and negatively affects other systems.

Symptoms

• Early symptoms of renal insufficiency include tiredness, itching, nausea and vomiting, headache, weight loss, a general feeling of illness and (oddly enough) hiccups. As the insufficiency worsens, new symptoms appear, such as bloody stools and vomit, muscle cramps, numb hands and feet, urinating less or more often and white crystals in the urine. People with renal insufficiency may bruise or bleed quickly. They may experience seizures or even lapse into periods of decreased consciousness.

Treatment

• Treatment for renal insufficiency aims to slow down its progression. Any underlying conditions should be treated or controlled. Changing the diet can help: Reducing protein intake can limit the amount of waste burdening the kidneys. Fluids may also be restricted, as can intake of electrolytes such as salt and potassium. Medications and supplements can control anemia, and blood transfusions may be needed.

Dialysis/Transplant

• In advanced cases of renal insufficiency, dialysis may be needed. Dialysis filters the body's wastes mechanically when your kidneys can't do the job. Dialysis can sometimes be performed through the peritoneum (abdomen) at home but is often done at a dialysis facility, where the blood is put through a machine. Dialysis must be done frequently in order to work. People with end-stage renal insufficiency may need a kidney transplant. While undergoing a transplant is always a difficult procedure, there's a slightly better chance in the case of kidney transplantation because a healthy kidney can be harvested from a living donor. One only needs one functioning kidney to live.