Tag Archives: Renal failure

Straight, No Chaser: Kidney (Renal) Failure

Genital/Urinary, , , , , , , , , ,

We take our kidneys for granted. They are truly remarkable organs. In this Straight, No Chaser, we will review kidney function and explain kidney failure. Additional posts will address treatment of kidney failure, including dialysis and kidney transplantation. A review of kidney stones is available in an earlier Straight, No Chaser.

KidneyFailure

You probably know that the kidneys are key to the body removing waste and excess fluids and minerals. You may not have been aware of just how efficient your two kidneys are: they filter the body’s entire blood supply every thirty minutes. In fact, they are so efficient that you can lose one and still be able to have normal overall function. Healthy kidneys also make hormones that keep your bones strong and your blood healthy.

   kidney

Damaged kidneys and kidney failure are pretty simple to understand. When the kidneys aren’t working properly, there are consequences to those wastes and that excess fluid accumulating throughout the body. Blood pressure may rise, as the heart has more fluid to pump around the body. Your body may retain excess fluid and not make enough red blood cells.
There are three considerations for you to understand when discussing kidney failure: acute kidney failure, chronic kidney failure and end-stage kidney failure.

kidney-failure causes

Acute kidney failure is the result of an active event such as the following:

  • an abrupt drop in the blood supply to the kidneys
  • obstruction
  • physical trauma
  • severe infection
  • use of certain drugs

If the underlying problem causing acute kidney failure is sufficiently treated, complete recovery of the kidneys is possible.
Chronic kidney failure occurs over years and can be the consequence of many processes, including uncontrolled diabetes, drug use or hypertension. It can cause anemia (low blood cell count), decreased mental sharpness, fatigue, headaches, muscle twitches and cramps, nausea and vomiting, , trouble sleeping, unusual itching and weight loss and a yellowish-brown skin color.
End-stage kidney disease represents such a level of dysfunction that your life could be at risk without appropriate attention being given to your disease. It causes or exacerbates anemia, high blood pressure, bone disease, heart failure, and poor mental functioning.

Kidney-Failure-chronic

The kidneys are pretty good at displaying signs of distress if you’re willing to pay attention. See your physician if you develop any of the following signs or symptoms:

  • pain or burning when you urinate,
  • frequent urges to urinate,
  • urine that is cloudy or dark,
  • fever or a feeling of shakiness along with back pain, or
  • pain in your back or side below your ribs that does not go away.

As mentioned, avoidance of illicit drugs, taking prescribed medicines as directed, and treatment of high blood pressure and diabetes can help prevent kidney disease.
Feel free to ask your SMA expert consultant any questions you may have on this topic.
Order your copy of Dr. Sterling’s new book Behind The Curtain: A Peek at Life from within the ER at jeffreysterlingbooks.com, iTunes, Amazon, Barnes and Nobles and wherever books are sold.
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Straight, No Chaser: Dialysis

Genital/Urinary, , , , , , ,

dialysis deal

We previously discussed kidney function and failure. Today’s Straight, No Chaser focuses on dialysis: a treatment of extreme kidney failure has been performed for approximately 70 years. Unfortunately many of us have friends and/or family members who are on dialysis, and there are always questions, so let’s address some of the more commonly asked questions on dialysis.
What’s the purpose of dialysis?
Dialysis basically is a replacement of normal functions performed by healthy kidneys. It is treatment of severe renal (kidney) failure. Dialysis performs the following:

  • It removes waste, salt, toxins and excess fluids that would otherwise cause harm if allowed to accumulate.
  • It maintains safe level of essential substances in your blood, such as bicarbonate, potassium and sodium.
  • It helps control blood pressure.

Who requires dialysis?
In the last Straight, No Chaser post on renal failure, we discussed acute, chronic and end-stage renal failure. Most often dialysis is needed in patients with end stage disease whose status is roughly equivalent to the loss of 85-90% of kidney function. There are certain causes of acute renal failure (such as certain poisonings) that also are amenable to treatment by dialysis.
Aren’t there different types of dialysis?
Yes, there are two main categories of dialysis: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.

dialysisdialysis1

  • In hemodialysis an external, artificial kidney (hemodialyzer) is used to remove waste, extra chemicals and excess fluid from your blood. This is most often facilitated by a minor surgery to one of your arms or legs to connect the blood to the hemodialyzer.

Dialysis-thumb_rdax_408x269dialysis perit

  • In peritoneal dialysis, the blood is cleaned inside the body. This is most often done by a minor surgery in which a plastic tube (a catheter) is placed into your abdomen. This creates access for the material inserted (called dialysate) that is used to draw excess fluid and waste products from the blood. An important consideration about peritoneal dialysis is one variety of it, called continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) can be done yourself without machines. If you’re fortunate enough to qualify for this type, you are much more able to engage in a more regular life routine.

How long is dialysis necessary?
Unless you are receiving dialysis for acute kidney failure, you should not expect your kidneys to get better and should expect to need dialysis for the rest of your life. Dialysis is not a treatment of your kidneys; it is a treatment that replaces the function of your kidneys. If you are a candidate for a kidney transplant, once that is successfully done, that would eliminate the need for dialysis.
How does dialysis affect the ability to lead a normal life?
It’s important to note that in end stage renal disease you already aren’t leading a normal life. The inconveniences posed by dialysis must be weighed for the longevity in your life produced vs. any limitations caused. Most patients on dialysis who are otherwise healthy are able to lead normal lives within the constraints caused by needing dialysis.

  • Dialysis treatments are painless (except for the initial surgery to create the access fistula, graft or catheter). The procedure does have certain complications, including an occasional lowering of blood pressure related to all the fluid being removed.
  • Most dialysis patients need to be on a special diet (called a renal diet). Limitations are likely to include the amount of salt and fluid intake.
  • One helpful aspect of dialysis is the standardization of treatment. Dialysis centers are located all over the world, so if and when you choose to travel, you can make an appointment at another center in advance through your regular dialysis site.
  • Unless one’s job is heavy on physical labor (no pun intended), many dialysis patients can go back to work once a dialysis routine has been established and patients have become accustomed to the process and any side effects.

What effect on life expectancy does dialysis have?
It is fair to say only that dialysis gives patients with end stage renal disease a longer life than they would have otherwise and gives them the best opportunity to have a normal life expectancy.
Keep in mind that dialysis is a life raft. Its purpose is to prevent toxins and excess fluid from damaging the rest of your body. In some instances it is meant to hold you up until a transplant can be obtained, and in other instances it is your lifeboat for as long as you live. There is no leeway here. Once dialysis is required, it becomes as essential as your kidneys once were. Whether you’re affected or if you care for a loved one going through this, be sure to be supportive and insistent that this vital treatment is obtained as often as necessary.
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what 844-SMA-TALK and http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) offers. Please share our page with your friends on WordPress, Facebook @ SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and Twitter at @asksterlingmd.
Copyright © 2014 · Sterling Initiatives, LLC · Powered by WordPress.

Straight, No Chaser: Kidney (Renal) Failure

Genital/Urinary, , , , , , , , ,

We take our kidneys for granted. They are truly remarkable organs. In this Straight, No Chaser, we will review kidney function and explain kidney failure. Additional posts will address treatment of kidney failure, including dialysis and kidney transplantation. A review of kidney stones is available in an earlier Straight, No Chaser.

KidneyFailure

You probably know that the kidneys are key to the body removing waste and excess fluids and minerals. You may not have been aware of just how efficient your two kidneys are: they filter the body’s entire blood supply every thirty minutes. In fact, they are so efficient that you can lose one and still be able to have normal overall function. Healthy kidneys also make hormones that keep your bones strong and your blood healthy.

   kidney

Damaged kidneys and kidney failure are pretty simple to understand. When the kidneys aren’t working properly, there are consequences to those wastes and that excess fluid accumulating throughout the body. Blood pressure may rise, as the heart has more fluid to pump around the body. Your body may retain excess fluid and not make enough red blood cells.
There are three considerations for you to understand when discussing kidney failure: acute kidney failure, chronic kidney failure and end-stage kidney failure.

kidney-failure causes

Acute kidney failure is the result of an active event such as the following:

  • an abrupt drop in the blood supply to the kidneys
  • obstruction
  • physical trauma
  • severe infection
  • use of certain drugs

If the underlying problem causing acute kidney failure is sufficiently treated, complete recovery of the kidneys is possible.
Chronic kidney failure occurs over years and can be the consequence of many processes, including uncontrolled diabetes, drug use or hypertension. It can cause anemia (low blood cell count), decreased mental sharpness, fatigue, headaches, muscle twitches and cramps, nausea and vomiting, , trouble sleeping, unusual itching and weight loss and a yellowish-brown skin color.
End-stage kidney disease represents such a level of dysfunction that your life could be at risk without appropriate attention being given to your disease. It causes or exacerbates anemia, high blood pressure, bone disease, heart failure, and poor mental functioning.

Kidney-Failure-chronic

The kidneys are pretty good at displaying signs of distress if you’re willing to pay attention. See your physician if you develop any of the following signs or symptoms:

  • pain or burning when you urinate,
  • frequent urges to urinate,
  • urine that is cloudy or dark,
  • fever or a feeling of shakiness along with back pain, or
  • pain in your back or side below your ribs that does not go away.

As mentioned, avoidance of illicit drugs, taking prescribed medicines as directed, and treatment of high blood pressure and diabetes can help prevent kidney disease.
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what 844-SMA-TALK and http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) offers. Please share our page with your friends on WordPress, Facebook @ SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and Twitter at @asksterlingmd.
Copyright © 2014 · Sterling Initiatives, LLC · Powered by WordPress.

From the Health Library of SterlingMedicalAdvice.com: Does drug use cause kidney damage?

Genital/Urinary, Toxicology/Drugs, Detoxification, , , , , , , ,

cocaine-kills-1

Kidney_–_acute_cortical_necrosis

Each kidney filters about 1700 liters of blood per day and concentrates fluid and waste products into about one liter of urine per day. Because of this, the kidneys receive more exposure to toxic substances in the body than almost any other organ. Therefore, they are highly susceptible to injury from toxic substances.
Inflammation from immune response to drugs may injure the structures of the kidney, usually causing various types of glomerulonephritis or acute tubular necrosis (tissue death). Injury to the kidney may result in short-term damage with minimal or no symptoms. It may also be life threatening from bleeding and associated shock, or it may result in acute renal failure or chronic renal failure.
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) will offer beginning November 1. Until then enjoy some our favorite posts and frequently asked questions as well as a daily note explaining the benefits of SMA membership. Please share our page with your Friends on WordPress, and we can be found on Facebook at SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.
Copyright © 2013 · Sterling Initiatives, LLC · Powered by WordPress