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:

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:

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: Exercise makes the heart stronger, lowers blood pressure, and helps keep you healthy. Begin to exercise slowly and do more as you get stronger. Talk with your primary healthcare provider before you start an exercise program.
  
  
• Do not smoke: Smoking causes lung cancer and other long-term lung diseases. It increases your risk of many cancer types. Smoking also increases your risk of blood vessel disease, heart attack, and vision disorders. Not smoking may help prevent such symptoms as headaches and dizziness for yourself and those around you. Smokers have shorter lifespans than nonsmokers.
  
  
• Manage your stress: Stress may slow healing and lead to illness. Learn ways to control stress, such as relaxation, deep breathing, and music. 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.
  
  
• 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 (Discharge Care)