Kidney failure, also known as renal failure, can be describe as a condition wherein the kidneys of a person fails to function normally. This condition can be classified to either acute kidney failure or chronic kidney failure which is determined through the results of serum creatinine, presence of anemia and size of the kidneys.
An acute kidney failure is characterized as a quick decline in the ability of the kidneys to function properly. Chronic kidney failure is a gradual progression of the kidneys losing their normal functions. Symptoms may also show up slowly.
There are different possible causes why kidney failure happens. This includes several underlying conditions such as acute tubular necrosis, acute pyelonephritis, acute nephritic syndrome, septicemia, scleroderma, and ITTP (Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Thrombotic Purpura). A person with extreme low blood pressure may also cause kidney failure.
Kidney failure chooses nobody. It disregards age, sex and race. There are people though who are more vulnerable than others. These are the people who have hypertension, diabetes, multiple myeloma, chronic infection, congestive heart failure, and myeloproliferative disorder.
Diagnosis of kidney failure may start off with a physical examination and the doctor may requests several laboratory examinations to be done. The lab exams usually include urinalysis, arterial blood gas, kidney ultrasound, abdominal x-ray, abdominal MRI, abdominal CT scan and blood tests.
The signs and symptoms of kidney failure may be any of the following: oliguria (decrease amount of urine), anuria (inability to urinate), polyuria (excessive urination) at night, edematous lower extremities, generalized swelling, decreased appetite, metallic taste, changes in mood and behavior, uremic fetor (urine breath), flank pains and high blood pressure.
There are three ways of treating kidney failure: hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis and kidney transplantation.
Hemodialysis is a procedure wherein a machine, called a dialyzer, filters and cleans a person's blood since the kidneys can't do this anymore. It will help get rid of the harmful wastes as well as the extra fluids and salt in the in the body. Through this procedure electrolyte imbalance will also be corrected. Hemodialysis is a lifetime procedure which means the person will be doing this for the rest of his/her life.
Peritoneal dialysis functions the same way as hemodialysis does. However, the former does not use any type of machine. Instead, it uses the abdominal lining of the person called the peritoneal membrane as the filter for the wastes, extra water and other chemicals in the body. Just like hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis is also a lifetime procedure.
Kidney transplant is another way of treating kidney failure. This may be more difficult procedure than hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis since there is a need for a kidney transplant donor whose kidneys must be compatible with the benefactor's body system. A successful transplantation would mean that there will be no need for either hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis in the future unless another case of kidney failure occurs.
Staying healthy would be the best way to prevent kidney failure. This would greatly depend on an individual's lifestyle – having a good diet and avoiding vices such as cigarette smoking and excessive drinking of alcoholic beverages.
Medication commonly used for these disease:
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Aldactone, which is generically prescribed as spironolactone, is commonly used to conditions where the body has too much aldosterone in the body. Aldactone is a potassium sparing diuretic which prevents the body from absorbing too much salt and keeps the more...
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Zyloprim, which is generically prescribed as allopurinol, is commonly used to treat kidney stones and gout. It prevents the build up of uric acid in the body which can lead to kidney stones and worsens gout. It is also used to prevent uric acid build up i more...
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Chlorthalidone is a prescribed thiazide diuretic, more commonly known as a water pill, that is used to cure fluid retention (edema) caused by the body’s absorption of salt. It transfers excess water and salt into the urine through the kidneys. It used in more...
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Avapro is most commonly used to treat high blood pressure, and can also be used in the treatment of kidney diseases, especially in patients with diabetes. Avapro can be generically prescribed as irbesartan. Avapro is considered an angiotensin II receptor more...
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Cozaar can be generically prescribed as losartan and is generally used in the treatment of hypertension. In some patients with type 2 diabetes, Cozaar is helpful in the treatment of kidney problems. Cozaar has been proven effective at keeping blood vessel more...
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Captopril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor. It is indicated for the treatment of hypertension (high blood pressure) and cases of congestive heart failure. It keeps angiotensin, a chemical in the blood, from metabolizing into a dangerous subst more...
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Capoten, also prescribed as captopril, is commonly used in the treatment of cardiac conditions such as congestive heart failure, hypertension, and in treatment after surviving a heart attack. It can also be used for patients who are experiencing kidney pr more...
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Allopurinol is the generic name for a medication that also goes by the brand name Zyloprim. It is prescribed for patients who have primary or secondary gout, and for patients with elevated levels of serum and urinary acidic levels, such as those receiving more...
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Irbesartan is an angiotensin receptor blocker that is primarily used alone or in combination with other drugs for the treatment of hypertension. It was developed in the clinical laboratories of Sanofi Research and is currently marketed by Sanofi-Aventis a more...
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Hydrochlorothiazide can often be shortened to just HCT, HCTZ, or HZT so that patients and doctors don’t have a hard time remembering it. HCT is a complicated drug that is used mainly for heart problems, high blood pressure, hypertension, symptomatic edema more...
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