Kidney Failure

What is Kidney Failure?

Kidney failure is a condition where the kidneys lose their ability to filter fluids and waste from the body.

The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs located just below the rib cage, one on each side of your spine. Kidneys remove wastes and extra water to produce urine that is excreted through the bladder. Your kidneys and bladder are part of your urinary tract.

Without the kidney to filter our waste products and maintain balance in the body, toxins like urea can accumulate which can adversely affect the brain and heart. Most people wil be able to manage their kidney failure with the proper treatment.

What are the types of Kidney Failure?

Acute kidney failure happens quickly when the kidneys stop functioning suddenly. Chronic kidney failure happens when the disease has persisted and worsened over a long period of time. Dangerous levels of toxins and fluids can build up in the body if your kidneys fail, which is a potentially fatal condition if left untreated.

What are the symptoms of Kidney Failure?

Symptoms of Kidney Failure vary between people, some symptoms you may notice include:

• Confusion or trouble concentrating
• Difficulty urinating
• Itching
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomitting
• Swelling in the hands, ankles or face
• Weakness
• Peeing more often
• Muscle spasm

How can I prevent kidney failure?

Chronic kidney disease and kidney failure are not reversible but you can take steps to help preserve your kidney functions:

• Monitor your kidney function
• Keep your blood sugar levels in the normal range if you have diabetes
• Maintain your blood pressure
• Quit smoking
• Avoid foods high in potassium and sodium

What are the most common causes of kidney failure?

High blood pressure and diabetes are the two most common causes of chronic kidney disease and kidney failure. If left unamanged, diabetes may lead to high blood sugar levels and over time, this can damage your kidneys as well as your other organs. 

Other conditions that may lead to kidney damage include polycystic kidney disease which results in fluid-filled sacs growing inside your kidneys, glomerular disease which affects how well your kidney filters waste, and autoimmune diseases like lupus which can cause joint pain, fever, rashes and organ damage.

Kidney failure may also develop quickly due to an unexpected cause. Acute kidney failure happens when your kidney suddenly loses the ability to function. It may develop within hours or days and is often temporary. Some causes of acute kidney failure include severe dehydration, a urinary tract obstruction or consuming certain medications. 

What are the risk factors of Kidney Failure?

Anyone can be affected by Kidney Failure though there are some factors that may increase your risk of developing Kidney Failure, such as:

• Chronic health conditions like diabetes, coronary heart disease and hypertension
• A family history of kidney disease
• Being over 60

How is Kidney Failure diagnosed?

Biopsy
A biopsy is done to check tumours in the kidney for signs of cancer.

Blood Test
A complete blood count blood test will be done to check for white blood cell increase due to infection.

Imaging Tests
Kidney imaging tests are done with ultrasound or CT scan to check for inflammation or abdominal growths.

Urine Test
Urine tests may be done to rule out a urinary tract infection (UTI) or kidney stones.