Medically Reviewed By: Mgbeobu David
The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs located at the left and right parts of the body in vertebrates. Kidneys are seen at the back of the abdominal cavity in the retroperitoneal space. However, in adults they are about 11 centimetres (4.3 in) in length. Kidneys receive blood from the paired renal arteries; blood exits into the paired renal veins. Kidney failure happens when your kidneys lose the ability to filter waste from your blood sufficiently and actively. Records had it that many factors can obstruct or interfere with your kidney health and function, such as;
- Toxic and dangerous exposure to environmental pollutants or certain medications.
- Certain harmful, acute, and chronic diseases.
- Dangerous and severe dehydration.
- Kidney trauma.
Your body becomes overloaded with toxins when your kidneys can't perform their required and regular work. This can lead to kidney failure and even be life-threatening if it's not treated and handled medically.
SYMPTOMS OF KIDNEY FAILURE
Numerous symptoms can occur during kidney failure. Usually, one suffering from kidney failure will have a few symptoms of the disease, though sometimes none is present. But the possible symptoms are as follow;
- Swelling of your legs, ankles, and feet. This is as a result of retention of fluids caused by the failure of your kidneys to eliminate water waste.
- A reduced amount of urine.
- Unexplained seizure or shortness of breath.
- Excessive fatigue or drowsiness.
- Persistent nausea.
- Unnecessary anxiety or confusion.
- Pressure or pain in your chest.
- Seizures or coma.
MAJOR CAUSES OF KIDNEY FAILURE
1. Loss of blood flow to the kidneys: A sudden loss of blood flow to your kidneys can lead to kidney failure. Some conditions and diseases that cause loss of blood flow to the kidneys are as follow:
- A heart attack.
- Heart disease.
- Scarring of the liver or liver failure.
- Dehydration.
- A severe burn.
- An allergic reaction.
- A severe infection, such as sepsis.
- Kidney stones.
- An enlarged prostate.
- Blood clots within your urinary tract.
- Damage to the nerves that control your bladder.
OTHER CAUSES OF KIDNEY FAILURE
Some diseases and conditions may cause kidney failure, including:
- A blood clot in or around your kidneys.
- Infection.
- An overload of toxins from heavy metals.
- Drugs and alcohol.
- Vasculitis, an inflammation of blood vessels.
- Lupus, autoimmune disease that can cause inflammation of many body organs.
- Glomerulonephritis, an inflammation of the small blood vessels of the kidney.
- Hemolytic uremic syndrome, which involves the breakdown of red blood cells following a bacterial infection, usually of the intestines.
- Multiple myeloma, a cancer of the plasma cells in your bone marrow.
- Scleroderma, an autoimmune disease that affects your skin.
- Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, a disorder that causes blood clots in small vessels.
- Chemotherapy drugs, medications that treat cancer and some autoimmune diseases.
- Dyes used in some imaging tests.
- Certain antibiotics.
- Uncontrolled diabetes.
TREATMENT FOR KIDNEY FAILURE
There are several of treatments for kidney failure. The type of treatment you need will depend on the reason for your kidney failure. In this regard, your doctor can help you determine the best treatment option, which may include one of the solutions:
1. Dialysis
Dialysis filters and purifies the blood using a machine. The machine performs the function of the kidneys. Depending on the type of dialysis, you may be connected to a large machine or a portable catheter bag. You may need to follow a low-potassium, low-salt diet along with dialysis.
However, dialysis doesn't cure kidney failure, but it will extend your life span if you go for regularly scheduled treatments.
2. Kidney transplant
Relatively, another treatment option is a kidney transplant. There's usually a long wait to receive a donor kidney that's compatible with your body, though if you have a living donor the process may go more easily or quickly.
The advantages of a transplant are that the new kidney can work perfectly, and dialysis will no longer be useful. The disadvantage is that you must take immunosuppressive drugs after the surgery. These drugs have their own side effects, some of which are serious. Also, transplant surgery is not always successful.
HOW TO PREVENT KIDNEY FAILURE
There are numerous ways and steps you can take to reduce your risk of kidney failure. Always be mindful and follow directions when taking over-the-counter medications. Taking doses that are too high (even of common drugs such as aspirin) can create high toxin levels in a short amount of time. This can overload your kidneys.
Whenever possible, you should limit your exposure to chemicals, such as household cleaners, tobacco, pesticides, and other toxic products.
Kidney or urinary tract conditions lead to kidney failure when they are not consciously managed. Follow and obey your doctor's advice, always take prescribed medicine as directed, and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
FIVE TYPES OF KIDNEY FAILURE
There are five different types of kidney failure:
Acute prerenal kidney failure
Insufficient blood flow to the kidneys can cause severe prerenal kidney failure. The kidneys can't filter toxins from the blood without enough blood flow. This type of kidney failure can usually be cured once you and your doctor determine the cause of the decreased blood flow.
Acute intrinsic kidney failure
Acute intrinsic kidney failure can be caused by direct trauma to the kidneys, such as physical impact or an accident. Causes also involved toxin overload and ischemia, which is a lack of oxygen to the kidneys. The following may cause ischemia:
- Severe bleeding.
- Shock.
- Renal blood vessel obstruction.
- Glomerulonephritis.
Chronic prerenal kidney failure
When there isn't enough blood flowing to the kidneys for an extended period of time, the kidneys will start to shrink and lose the strength to function.
Chronic intrinsic kidney failure
This occurs when there is long-term damage to the kidneys due to intrinsic kidney disease. Intrinsic kidney disease is caused by a direct trauma to the kidneys, such as acute bleeding or lack of oxygen.
Chronic post-renal kidney failure
A long-term blockage of the urinary tract prevents urination. This causes pressure and eventual kidney damage.
HOW KIDNEY FAILURE CAN BE DIAGNOSED
There are different tests your doctor can use to diagnose kidney failure. These several methods include:
Urinalysis
Your doctor may take a urine sample to test for any abnormalities, including abnormal protein or sugar that spills into the urine. Your doctor may also perform a urinary sediment examination. This measures the amount of red and white blood cells, looks for high levels of bacterial, and searches for high numbers of cellular casts.
Urine volume measurements
Measuring urine output is one of the simplest tests to help diagnose kidney failure. For example, low urinary output may suggest kidney disease, due to a urinary blockage, which can be caused by multiple illness or injuries.
Blood sample
Your doctor may order blood tests to measure substances that are filtered by your kidneys, such as blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr). A rapid rise in these levels may indicate acute kidney failure.
Imaging
Tests such as ultrasounds, MRIs, and CT scans provide images of the kidneys themselves, along with the urinary tract. This allows your doctor to look for blockages or abnormalities in your kidneys.
Kidney tissue sample
Tissue samples are examined for abnormal deposits, scaring, or infectious organisms. Your doctor will use a kidney biopsy to collect the tissue sample. A biopsy is a simple procedure that is usually performed while you are awake. You will have a local anesthetic to eliminate any discomfort. The sample is collected with a biopsy needle inserted through your skin and down into the kidney. X-ray or ultrasound equipment is used to locate the kidneys and assist the doctor in guiding the needle.
Comments
Post a Comment