Renal Insufficiency Prognosis

Renal insufficiency, or kidney disease, is a condition that reduces kidney functioning and impairs the body's ability to excrete excess fluids and wastes. Most cases of this disease are caused by hypertension or diabetes, and kidney disease usually develops slowly.

Prognosis

• According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, renal insufficiency is not curable but its symptoms can be controlled with treatment. Patients with this condition may require treatment throughout their entire lives.

Early Symptoms

• Kidney disease patients may experience fatigue, headaches and dry itchy skin. Unexpected weight loss, loss of appetite and nausea may occur with this disorder.

Advanced Symptoms

• Patients may develop easy bleeding and bruising, excessive thirst and nervous system effects such as difficulty concentrating, drowsiness and confusion as renal insufficiency worsens.

Treatment

• Doctors may prescribe medications to help kidney disease patients control their blood pressure, blood sugar or cholesterol. Physicians may prescribe a special diet that limits a patient's intake of fluids, proteins and electrolytes.

End Stage Kidney Disease

• Patients with renal insufficiency are likely to develop end stage kidney disease if they do not receive treatment for their kidney disease. Individuals with end stage kidney disease have less than 10 percent of normal kidney functioning.

End Stage Prognosis

• End stage kidney disease patients will die from the buildup of excess wastes and fluids in the body if they do not receive kidney dialysis treatment or a kidney transplant.