Kidney Failure

Kidney failure, which also goes by the term renal failure, could be possibly chronic or, in many cases, acute. Many have tried to understand what is kidney failure really, if not an inability of our vital organ to perform its duties. Now when there is both progressive and rather slow but sure deterioration in kidney function, the term chronic renal failure is used. This means that the kidney’s ability to perform routine actions like expel waste matter, save electrolytes as well as concentrate urine gradually dwindles. On the other hand you have acute renal failure where such loss comes about all of a sudden. Signs and symptoms of kidney failure may not always be that obvious. When it comes to chronic kidney failure, since this is not a sudden occurrence, you will probably find gradually progression of this failure, spread over quite a few years. However, this slow rate of progress means that one is likely not to notice any alarming symptoms till the disease has gone so far as to take most of the kidney’s abilities. Azotemia and uremia are two diseases which are typically the result of such chronic failure. With acute failure, such signs could be urination stops or something as ambiguous as reduced appetite.

Kidney Failure Causes

Causes of kidney failure would typically depend on whether such failure is sudden (that is, acute) or chronic. With the chronic variety, such renal failure is commonly caused by any sort of disorder which has, as its symptom, gradual loss of the very ability of a kidney to function. Even though it is chronic, the degree of loss can vary. In some individuals you might find only mild dysfunction while in others you could find extreme renal failure. At the extreme end is ESRD which means end-stage renal disease. Typically diseases to worry about, which cause this chronic problem, include hypertension and diabetes. There could be a number of other causes of kidney failure such as reflux nephropathy and glomerulonephritis. With acute renal failure, causes are truly varied, ranging from hemorrhage to Scleroderma. Kidney failure treatment usually revolves around getting to the underlying causes. The cure kidney failure would also include dietary changes, besides medication. While in most cases, fluids are always recommended, here fluid intake might be restricted. The focus will be on replenishment of lost fluids. Salts and proteins are also taken in limited amounts as is potassium. On the other hand, carbohydrate intake is increased. Your doctor will help you out with a unique diet plan to aid kidney failure treatment.