According to the National Kidney Foundation, one in four Americans suffer from chronic kidney disease. As the kidneys begin to fail, toxins build up in the body, affecting other organs in the body. Complete kidney failure is a life-threatening condition, so immediate diagnosis and care is necessary.
What is chronic kidney failure?
Chronic kidney failure is a steady deterioration of the kidney functions over a period of time, signified by a high buildup of toxins in the blood. If kidneys cannot function, they cannot filter the toxins out of the food and liquids we consume. Therefore, toxins begin to build up in the body.
How do the kidneys work?
When the body uses the food we eat and the liquids we drink, the kidney filters, or nephrons, dispose of toxins as urine. When kidneys are healthy, they help the body function by stimulating red blood cells and releasing hormones that help regulate growth and blood pressure.
What are symptoms of chronic kidney disease?
Kidney failure is an extremely dangerous condition. Untreated, it can lead to death. Some of the symptoms include high blood pressure, nausea, pain in the kidney area (lower back) or lower ribcage, water retention in the legs and feet, mental confusion and extreme fatigue. See a doctor right away if you are experiencing these symptoms.
What causes chronic kidney disease?
Chronic kidney disease occurs when the kidneys are damaged. Diseases, such as high blood pressure, diabetes and kidney infections, can lead to chronic kidney failure. Environmental conditions such as lead poisoning or long term use of certain medications such as ibuprofen and NSAIDS, can also cause long-term damage to the kidneys.
What tests are used to diagnose chronic kidney failure?
There are many tests to identify and determine treatment for renal failure. You are likely to have several tests during your treatment period. You should expect to have blood drawn for a complete blood count, or CBC. From this test, doctors can see the levels of creatinine, a good indicator of kidney function. Your blood urea nitrogen levels, or BUN, measures the amount of nitrogen in your blood from waste. As your kidneys fail, both your creatinine and BUN levels will rise. Doctors may also call for a urinalysis or collect a 24-hour urine specimen to study how much urine your kidneys are producing. If doctors suspect kidney stones or another problem, you may undergo a kidney ultrasound.
How is chronic kidney failure treated?
You may need to go on dialysis to help your kidneys do the job they are supposed to do. Dialysis is a life-saving medical procedure that basically performs the same duties as the kidneys, cleaning the body of harmful toxins.
A kidney transplant may also be an option.
If these toxins aren't removed, they can affect other organs, including the heart and brain. Untreated, kidney failure causes death.
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