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Kidney Disease And Kidney Failure
The kidneys perform the vital function of filtering waste products from the blood. If allowed to accumulate, the waste products would be toxic to our system. Kidney disease is a very general term which can be used to describe a large number of disease processes affecting the kidneys either directly, or indirectly, through the secondary effects of long-standing disease (e.g. diabetes). Some chronic diseases (i.e. diabetes and high blood pressure) can destroy the kidneys over a period of years. Sudden dehydration, infection, drug side effect, or toxic ingestion may cause a rapid decline in kidney function.
CAUSES OF KIDNEY FAILURE
1. Kidney infection
2. Kidney stones
3. Severe dehydration
4. Drug toxicity (aspirin, lithium)
5. Kidney cancer
6. Sepsis (blood borne infection) and toxic shock syndrome
7. Chronic diabetes
8. Chronic high blood pressure
9. Chronic drug abuse (heroin)
10. Inherited kidney disease
11. Lupus
12. Post streptococcal glomerulonephritis
MANY OF THESE CAUSES CAN BE FOUND IN THE DISEASE FILE.
Humans are blessed with a surplus of kidney function. Symptoms of kidney failure will not start until at least 90% of the total kidney function is lost!
SYMPTOMS OF KIDNEY FAILURE
Weakness and lack of energy.
Dry and itchy skin.
Peculiar odor to the breath (urine-like).
Weight loss (muscle and fat).
Pale appearance from anemia (low blood counts).
Shortness of breath particularly upon exertion or when lying flat.
Total body swelling (edema), worse in the lower extremities.
Confusion, lethargy, dementia, and coma in the late stages.
Evaluation of kidney function starts with an attempt to identify all immediately correctable problems (i.e. kidney stones, dehydration, or serious infection). Evaluation will include urinalysis and 24 hour urine collection for creatinine clearance. This will give the physician an overall idea of the extent of remaining kidney function. Blood tests for kidney profile and blood counts will be done. Patients with kidney failure are usually quite anemic. Unexplained decline in kidney function may require a kidney biopsy (tissue sample) to make the diagnosis. Treatment is based on the cause of the kidney failure. A special kidney diet will be necessary (low protein) for those with chronic kidney insufficiency. Some patients with diabetes or chronic high blood pressure will eventually become dependent on kidney dialysis (kidney machine) in order to stay alive. Patients with kidney disease, or renal insufficiency, should adhere to a kidney diet and restrict their total intake of protein and salt (sodium). Aggressive treatment of the underlying problem can often be met with full or partial return of kidney function. A Nephrologist is the expert in the treatment of kidney disease.
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