Chronic Kidney Failure

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Chronic kidney failure is also called chronic renal failure or CRF. It is a long-term kidney disease. The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs that remove unwanted chemicals and waste from the blood. Your kidneys slowly stop working in chronic kidney failure. This usually occurs when you have high blood pressure or high blood sugar levels (diabetes). You may have decreased urine output, edema (swelling) of arms, feet, and face, or increased blood pressure.
  
  
• Blood and urine tests can check if your kidneys are working well. Tests that take pictures of kidneys, such as ultrasound, x-rays, and computerized tomography (CT) scans can also be used. Chronic kidney failure can only be controlled with proper and timely treatment. It can get worse and become end-stage renal disease if left untreated.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Take your medicine as directed:

Call your primary healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not working as expected. Tell him if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a current list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when, how, and why you take them. Take the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency. Throw away old medicine lists.

• Avoid medicines that may cause more damage to your kidneys. These include aspirin, certain antibiotics, and some herbal supplements. Ask your caregiver which medicines you should not use.
  
  
• It is very important that you take your high blood pressure and diabetes medicine as directed by your caregiver.

Ask for information about where and when to go for follow-up visits:

For continuing care, treatments, or home services, ask for more information.

Diet:

At first, changing what you eat and drink may be hard. You may need to make these changes part of your daily routine. A caregiver called a dietitian or nutritionist may work with you to find the right diet for you.

• Avoid alcohol-containing drinks: These include beer, wine, liquor, like whiskey or gin, or other adult drinks.
  
  
• You may need to eat a high-calorie, low-protein diet. You may also need to eat low sodium (salt) and potassium foods, such as cereals, grains, blueberries, or lettuce.
  
  
• Follow your caregiver’s advice about drinking liquids. Write down how much liquid you drink and how often and how much you urinate.
  
  
• Keep a list of items in your kitchen that you can eat on your diet. You may use special cookbooks to help find new recipes.
  
  
• Sucking on hard candy or chewing gum may keep your mouth moist without having to drink liquids. Lemon wedges may also help keep your mouth moist.

Daily weight:

Your caregiver will help you learn what your ideal weight should be. Weigh yourself every morning about the same time and write it down. If your kidneys are not working right, you may have extra fluid in your body. Call your caregiver if you have gained or lose more weight than what your caregiver suggests in one day.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You cannot make it to your follow-up or dialysis visit.
  
  
• You have a fever.
  
  
• You have chills, cough, or feel weak and achy.
  
  
• Your skin is itchy or has a rash.
  
  
• You are passing little to no urine.
  
  
• You are vomiting (throwing up) everything that you eat or drink.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your care, medicine, or treatment.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You heart is beating fast or you are breathing fast.
  
  
• You are confused and hard to awaken.
  
  
• You have a seizure (convulsion).
  
  
• You have chest pain or trouble breathing all of a sudden.
  
  
• This is an emergency. Call 911 or 0 (operator) to get to the nearest hospital or clinic.
  
  
• Do not drive yourself to the hospital.

Copyright © 2011. Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Chronic Kidney Failure (Aftercare Instructions)