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.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Medicines:

• Keep a written list of the medicines you take, the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list of your medicines or the pill bottles when you see your caregivers. Learn why you take each medicine. Ask your caregiver for information about your medicine. Do not use any medicines, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements without first talking to caregivers.
  
  
• Always take your medicine as directed by caregivers. Call your caregiver if you think your medicines are not helping or if you feel you are having side effects. Do not quit taking your medicines until you discuss it with your caregiver. If you are taking medicine that makes you drowsy, do not drive or use heavy equipment.

• 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 your caregiver when to return for a follow-up visit. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your next visit.

Diet: Changing what you eat and drink may be hard at first. 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.

• 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.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• Follow your caregiver’s advice about drinking liquids. Write down how much liquid you drink and how much you urinate.
  
  
• 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.

Wellness hints:

• Avoid alcohol-containing drinks: These include beer, wine, liquor, such as whiskey or gin, or other adult drinks.
  
  
• Exercise: Talk to your caregiver before you start exercising. Together you can plan the best exercise program for you. It is best to start slowly and do more as you get stronger. Exercising makes the heart stronger, lowers blood pressure, and keeps you healthy.
  
  
• Quit smoking: It is never too late to quit smoking. Smoking harms the heart, lungs, and the blood. You are more likely to have a heart attack, lung disease, and cancer if you smoke. You will help yourself and those around you by not smoking. Ask your caregiver for more information about how to stop smoking if you are having trouble quitting.
  
  
• Stress: Stress may slow healing and cause illness later. Since it is hard to avoid stress, learn to control it. Learn new ways to relax, such as deep breathing, meditation, relaxing muscles, music, or biofeedback. Talk to someone about things that upset you.

For support and more information: Chronic kidney failure is a life-changing disease. Accepting that you have chronic kidney failure may be hard. You and those close to you may feel depressed, angry, sad, or scared. These are normal feelings. Talk to your caregivers, family, and friends about your feelings. You may also want to join a support group. This is a group of people who also have chronic kidney failure and other kidney diseases. Ask your caregiver for the names and numbers of support groups near you. You may also want to contact the following organizations for more information:

• American Association of Kidney Patients
  3505 E. Frontage Rd, Suite 315
  Tampa, FL 33607-1796
  Phone: 1-800-749-2257
  Web Address: http://aakp.org
  

• National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse
  3 Information Way
  Bethesda, MD 20892-3580
  Phone: 1-800-891-5390
  Web Address: http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/
  

• National Kidney Foundation
  30 East 33rd Street
  New York, NY 10016
  Phone: 1-212-889-2210
  Phone: 1-800-622-9010
  Web Address: http://www.kidney.org
  

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You cannot make it to your follow-up or dialysis visit.
  
  
• You have a fever (increased body temperature).
  
  
• 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 © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. 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.

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