Chronic Kidney Failure

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is chronic kidney failure?

• Chronic kidney failure is also called chronic renal failure or CRF. It is a long-term disease of the kidneys. This occurs when the kidneys are slowly working less and less until they no longer work at all. By working less, your kidneys cannot remove unwanted chemicals and waste. Chronic kidney failure can get worse and lead to end-stage renal disease or ESRD.
  
  
• The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs that remove unwanted chemicals and waste from the blood. These wastes are turned into urine by the kidneys. The kidneys are in the back of the abdomen (stomach) on both sides of the spine.

What causes chronic kidney failure? Chronic kidney failure usually occurs as a result or problem of the following illnesses or injuries:

• Diabetes mellitus: This is the most common cause of chronic kidney failure. High blood sugar levels in the body can destroy your kidneys.
  
  
• Hypertension: Hypertension (high blood pressure) can damage the blood vessels of your kidneys.
  
  
• Obstructive nephropathy: Disorders that block urinary flow such as kidney stones, enlarged prostate, or tumors. The backflow pressure on the kidneys causes loss of function.
  
  
• Kidney disease: This may include glomerulonephritis (glo-mer-u-lo-ne-fri-tis), kidney infections, or tumors (cancer).
  
  
• Autoimmune disease: This may include systemic lupus erythematosus or lupus. Lupus may cause swelling in all organs of the body, including the kidneys.

What are the signs and symptoms of chronic kidney failure? You may have any of the following:

• Early stage:
  
  
  • Excessive thirst.
    
    
  • Fatigue (feeling very tired).
    
    
  • Frequent hiccups.
    
    
  • Loss of appetite for food.
    
    
  • Bad or bitter taste in the mouth.
    
    
  • Nausea (upset stomach) or vomiting (throwing up).
    
    
  • Weight loss.
  
  
• Late stage:
  
  
  • Decreased alertness, such as drowsiness and confusion or loss of consciousness.
    
    
  • Decreased sensation (numbness) in the hands, feet, or other areas. You may also have muscle twitching or muscle cramps.
    
    
  • Uremic frost (deposits of white crystals in the skin).
    
    
  • Itchy, easily bruised, or abnormally dark or light skin.
    
    
  • Increased or decreased urine output or urinating frequently at night.
    
    
  • Seizures (convulsions).

How is chronic kidney failure diagnosed? You may have one or more of the following tests:

• Blood tests: You may have many different blood tests.
  
  
• Imaging tests: The following tests may be used to take pictures of your kidneys:
  
  
  • Computerized tomography scan: This test is also called a C" or CAT scan. A special x-ray machine uses a computer to take pictures of your kidneys.
    
    
  • Magnetic resonance imaging: Another name for this test is MRI. Computerized pictures are taken of your kidneys and other parts of your body using radiowaves.
    
    
  • Percutaneous kidney biopsy: A very small piece of your kidney is removed and tested.
    
    
  • Renal ultrasound: This test uses sound waves to take pictures to see if you have a kidney stone, an abscess, or other problems.
    
    
  • X-rays of kidneys, ureters, and bladder: This is also called KUB x-rays. A caregiver uses an x-ray machine to take pictures of your kidneys (K), ureters(U), and bladder (B).
  
  
• Urine tests: A sample of your urine is usually collected over a 24-hour period. The urine is measured and sent to a lab for tests.

How is chronic kidney failure treated? Treatment of chronic kidney failure depends upon the cause and extent of the failure. This is done by controlling the symptoms, decreasing problems, and keeping the disease from getting worse.

• Medicines: You may be given one or more of the following:
  
  
  • Anti-hypertensives: These medicines may be given to lower your blood pressure.
    
    
  • Diuretics: These medicines are often called water pills. Diuretics help your body get rid of extra fluid (edema) in your legs, ankles, lungs, or around your heart. They may also help decrease your blood pressure.
    
    
  • Erythropoietin: Your kidneys do not make enough erythropoietin in chronic kidney failure. Erythropoietin is a natural chemical that helps your body make red blood cells.
    
    
  • Steroids: These may be given to decrease inflammation (swelling) and pain.
  
  
• Other treatment options: Your treatment may change if the kidney failure is not controlled by medicines. You may have any of the following treatments alone or together:
  
  
  • Dialysis: Dialysis cleans your blood of wastes when your kidneys no longer function well.
    
    
  • Kidney transplant: A healthy kidney from another person is placed into your body. The donated kidney does the work that your two failed kidneys used to do. Your diseased kidneys will be removed during the surgery.
    
    
  • Surgery: You may need surgery if your kidney failure is caused by a blockage in your urinary system.

Where can I get 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
  

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

Link to this page

Printable Version

Email Page