Kidney Failure

Kidney failure occurs when the kidneys stop working or the level of efficiency is less than 10%. This is also called ESRD (End Stage Renal Disease) or CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease). Usually in CKD both the kidneys shrink in size due to chronic inflammation and scarring.

When the kidney function deteriorates, the waste products and excess fluid remain in the body.

These waste products and fluids are toxic in large quantities and their accumulation will eventually lead to various symptoms of kidney failure.

Skin may begin to itch and various parts of the body may swell as a result of fluid retention. This retention of fluid called edema will lead to an increase in body weight, resulting in high blood pressure and respiratory problems.

Kidney failure can lead to blood deficiency (anemia) and brittle bones.

Acute renal failure occurs when the kidneys suddenly stop working. This condition is temporary. The cause may be disease, injury, major surgery or toxic agents. This is mostly reversible.

Chronic renal failure develop gradually over a period of time. This is not reversible and Kidney function never returns to normal.

Cause of kidney failure

Kidney failure can happen to anyone, any age, race, any walk of life.

The common cause of kidney failure is glomerulonephritis (inflammation of the kidney), long standing diabetes mellitus or high blood pressure (hypertension) , blockage, chronic infection, hereditary, accidents and injury caused by medication, drugs, poisons and radiatio.

Kidney failure is life threatening unless treated by dialysis or transplantation.

Symptoms of Kidney failure

Uremia is the medical term to describe symptoms when the kidneys no longer work. When waste products build up in the blood stream patient may feel sick due to the symptoms of uremia. Symptoms include the headache, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, itching, feeling tired, high blood pressure, diarrhea, decrease in urination, swelling, loss of appetite and breathlessness.