Chronic Renal Disease

     Kidneys fail due to a number of reasons. Researchers continue to search for a more exact answer to factors that influence the speed of kidney failure. Acute renal failure refers to the sudden drop in kidney function. This can be caused due to medication, blood loss, trauma, and more. Acute renal failure, if acted upon quickly, can be reversed. On the other hand, acute renal failure may lead to permanent loss of kidney function. 

    Aside from acute renal failure, most kidney problems will occur slowly. This is referred to as chronic renal failure or chronic renal disease. The condition of total or nearly total/permanent kidney failure is termed end-stage renal disease (ESRD). This condition is unable to be cured nor reversed, this is where dialysis and transplants come into play. 

    There are various conditions that can play into kidneys failure, these include:,

  • Diabetes
  • Infection
  • Arteriosclerosis
  • High blood pressure (Hypertension)
  • Trauma
  • Polycystic kidney disease
  • Kidney stones 
  • Toxins
Around 47% of kidney failure cases in 2014-2015 had a primary diagnosis of diabetes. While 29% of kidney failure cases had a primary diagnosis of hypertension. It has also been discovered that people with kidney disease are at a greater risk of cardiovascular disease. 

The symptoms of chronic renal failure include, but are not limited to:
  • Edema
  • Fatigue
  • Loss of appetite
  • Weakness
  • Blurred vision
  • Vomiting 
  • Shortness of Breath
    In the earlier stages of kidney disease, there are rarely symptoms. When kidney disease is finally detected, usually, the patient must begin some form of treatment, i.e., dialysis. Chronic kidney disease is a deadly disease but can be managed with correct treatment options. 

There are five stages of kidney failure. Stage one being the most mild and stage five being the most severe. Doctors measure kidney function by determining how much the kidneys are filtering waste from the blood. This type of measurement is called the estimates glomerulral filtration rate (eGFR). The eGFR number is based on your blood test for creatinine, a waste product in your blood. The lower the number, the worse the kidney disease has progressed. 

Stage 1: eGFR is greater than 90. This is very mild kidney disease and can be slowed down. It is important to take proper care of yourself in this stage in order for kidney disease to not progress further. 

Stage 2: eGFR is between 60 and 89. At this stage, the kidneys are still healthy and working well. However, there may be protein in the urine or physical damage to the kidneys. Managing care to your body will prevent kidney disease from preventing further. 

Stage 3: eGFR is between 30 and 59. At this stage, there is damage to the kidneys where they are functioning but not as well as they should be. Some signs could be swelling, back pain, and urination problems (too much/too little). Some people at this stage still show no signs of kidney disease, causing the disease to progress further. 

Stage 4: eGFR is between 15 and 29. This is the last stage before kidney failure and should be taken very seriously. At this stage, one should discuss treatment options with their doctor. At stage 4, people may experience swelling, back pain, urination problems, anemia, hypertension, and bone disease. 

Stage 5: eGFR is below 15. At this stage the kidneys are close to failing or have already failed. The kidneys failing will cause waste to be left in the blood. Symptoms may be muscle cramps, itchiness, swelling, not feeling hungry, nausea, trouble sleeping/breathing, and more. Once the kidneys have failed, one must start dialysis or prepare for a transplant. 





Sources: 

Kidney Disease: The Basics. (2021). National Kidney Foundation.
     https://www.kidney.org/news/newsroom/
     fsindex#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20latest%20U.S.%20Renal%20Data%20System,more
     %20than%20193%2C000%20have%20a%20functioning%20kidney%20transplant.

Patient Manual [Leaflet]. (2019). Dialysis Clinic, Inc.

Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). (2021, March 31). American Kidney Fund.
     https://www.kidneyfund.org/kidney-disease/chronic-kidney-disease-ckd/
     stages-of-chronic-kidney-disease/



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