What Are the Causes and Symptoms of Kidney Failure?

The kidneys are the vital organs that remove waste from the blood and excrete it through the urine. The kidneys have a network of glomuleri that filters the blood, recycling useful electrolytes like sodium, potassium and bicarbonate. What isn't useful or harmful to the body is excreted as ammonia and other particles in the form of urine. There are several sources for acute renal failure or the sudden shutdown of the kidneys. When kidneys stop filtering the blood, the body's balance of electrolytes is destroyed and the increase in ions and waste products circulating in the blood can be deadly if not treated.

Causes

• Several sources cause kidney failure, although some damage the tissue more quickly than others. Dehydration is a common cause for renal failure. Dehydration affects blood flow to the kidneys. Without proper blood flow, waste products aren't removed and toxicity increases in the body. Decreased blood flow can also occur from heart disease, endocarditis, or even high blood pressure.

Medications

• Medications are a main contributor for renal failure. Medications that alter the body's blood pressure affect the kidneys. Excessive use of diuretics can also cause renal failure since it promotes dehydration. Broad spectrum antibiotics used for severe infection like vancomycin, cephalosporins, and aminoglycosides are harmful, but these drugs are used sparingly. Illegal drugs like methamphetamines and heroin damage kidney tissue as well.

Symptoms

• Even with a condition as serious as acute renal failure, symptoms may be mild or even nonexistent. Symptoms may appear only after severe toxicity in the blood has developed. If the patient is in the hospital, this type of condition is watched closely. However, if it happens in the privacy of the home, there are some warning signs.
  Swelling in the extremities like the feet and lower parts of the legs is common in kidney failure. The most common implication of swelling and other symptoms is from the increased heart rate that is associated with kidney failure. As the body builds more waste product in the blood, the heart rate increases attempting to send more blood to the kidneys for filtration. Nausea, confusion and extreme thirst accompany the condition. Pain in the posterior area near the sides is the most prominent symptom signaling that something is wrong with the kidneys.

Treatment

• Treatment for kidney failure is dependent on the cause of the condition. If dehydration is the root cause, liquids will relieve the pain and symptoms. Electrolytes should be included to reestablish the balance of ions and fluids. Cessation of medications that cause kidney failure is trickier, since they are used for other complications such as disease. Your doctor can prescribe alternate medications to relieve symptoms.

Prevention

• Prevention is primarily based on proper intake of fluids and a good diet. A diet that focuses on kidney health has at least 100 grams of carbohydrates and restricted amounts of proteins. Fluids with electrolytes will keep blood circulating to tissue. Finally, avoid medications that have magnesium as a cofactor, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should be eliminated from use.