Kidney failure, Causes, symptoms, treatment, prevention and risk factors

Kidney failure (renal failure) (RHN) is a common problem in adults. Some people with RHN can live a normal life expectancy with the right treatment. However, in others, the condition may progress so that the person has to receive dialysis or dialysis and transplantation.

If dialysis and/or transplantation are not successful, people may die from a stroke, respiratory failure, blood infection, or other

Kidney failure results when the kidneys do not function properly and can be caused by congenital disorders, diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney stones, or toxins.

Kidney failure is often a painful death. Patients often have to live for months, even years, on dialysis. Getting a kidney transplant would make the patient's life more livable.

But only about 20 percent of the 6,300 Americans who need a kidney transplant each year get one, said Dr. Emily Thomas, one of the study's authors and an assistant professor of medicine at the University of Chicago.

It may be, however, that if a person feels OK, has no signs of infection, and has a friend willing to donate a kidney, it's best to accept the gift and move on, Thomas said.

"The study shows that if you are high-risk, and you have few social barriers, that if you're clinically compatible for a transplant, you should go ahead and get the transplant even if you have low organ availability," Thomas told Reuters Health.

Her study was presented Wednesday at the annual meeting of the American Society of Nephrology in San Diego.

Patients at high risk for kidney failure are generally those who've gone on dialysis before, who have diabetes, who are older or have a large amount of kidney stones.

In Thomas' study, 17 percent of the high-risk people had the surgery and lived another four years. Among the low-risk patients, 7 percent had the surgery and had a three-year survival rate of 42 percent.

"That might be high for some people, but for some people we know it's very low," Thomas said.

Complications of kidney failure include an increased risk of infection, a reduced ability to eliminate waste products from the body, and an increased risk of swelling of the legs.

Symptoms of kidney failure

Symptoms of kidney failure can include:

shortness of breath

confusion

tiredness

increased thirst

increased urine output

reduced appetite

increased belly size or weight loss

Dysfunction of the kidneys can also cause:

pale or gray colored skin or eyes

unexplained weight loss

kidney stones

signs of dehydration, such as increased thirst

Causes of kidney failure

The medical term for kidney failure is end-stage renal disease (ESRD), which is a severe and life-threatening condition. ESRD may affect people of any age, although most of the time it is diagnosed in older people.

Existing problems of the kidneys may cause ESRD, such as:

kidney stones

Kidney inflammation or infection

trauma to the kidney, such as by injury or surgery

hyperglycemia

a blood disorder, such as diabetes

malabsorption

and kidney diseases that affect the whole body, such as diabetes or some types of cancer.

Certain medical conditions that cause kidney failure may be life-threatening if not treated.

Treatment

Sometimes kidney failure is treatable. People with kidney failure may need to use dialysis to help remove waste and excess fluid from their bodies.

As with any treatment, the aim of dialysis is to reduce the amount of harmful waste products in the body and to help replace vital fluids and nutrients.

Treatment may involve:

A person should not leave treatment without talking to a doctor first to find out whether they need to stay on dialysis or need to start an alternative treatment.

Treatment can be carried out at home and involves a machine which filters the blood and removes excess waste.

Some people may need to use a catheter in their abdomen and to have meals intravenously or with a tube.

Some people will need to start dialysis, and they will need to stop dialysis while they undergo other treatments.

Prevention

The prevention of kidney failure is the same as that of many other illnesses, such as the prevention of diabetes and high blood pressure.

Risk factors

Risk factors for kidney failure include:

lack of exercise

early age of diagnosis

lack of knowledge about the condition

being overweight

eating a poor diet

having had long-term illness

People who are at a high risk of developing ESRD should talk to a doctor.

Takeaway

The risk of developing kidney failure increases with age. The risk is highest for those who already have other health problems, such as diabetes or hypertension.

There are many possible treatments and several different ways of preventing kidney failure. As with many illnesses, the best treatment depends on the underlying cause.

Most kidney failure is treatable. A person who suspects that they have kidney failure should talk to a doctor to find out the best way to treat their condition.

People who need to undergo dialysis will find it easier to get treatment if they receive a referral from their doctor. They may also need support from their family.

Doctors sometimes recommend that people have a kidney transplant, or receive a new organ from a living donor. Doctors may also recommend weight loss or a diet low in salt and sugar.

One of the biggest risks of kidney failure is death.

Medical treatments can help a person with kidney failure live a normal life. If a person suspects that they are suffering from kidney failure, they should talk to their doctor.

Home dialysis is available to many people with kidney failure. These treatment programs are provided in a home setting, meaning that they allow a person to be treated in their own home rather than in hospital.

There is a long-term plan of care for most patients with kidney failure. This plan will outline the course of treatment for any complications that may develop in the future, and the success of the treatment.

Learn about the cost and benefits of kidney failure, including where to get support if the condition affects you.