Healthpedia

Highlighted Disease

Renal Failure

Definition:

Renal failure means the loss of ability for the kidneys to eliminate wastes, excess fluids and electrolytes. The condition can be acute or chronic.

• Who is at risk?
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

What else should I know?

Details of other illness

Source: Quality HealthCare Medical Services

Who is at risk?

• Diabetics
• Patients with high blood pressure
• Patients with immune disorders such as SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus)
• Patients with past history of nephritis
• Patients with congenital kidney problems
• Overexposure to medications, such as certain pain killers
• Patients with voiding difficulties
• Family history of kidney disease

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Symptoms:

Acute renal failure is often a complication of another major condition for which a patient is hospitalized. Chronic renal failure, on the other hand, usually occurs very gradually over the years with the following symptoms:

• Loss of appetite
• Tiredness and fatigue
• Headache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Change in body weight
• Pain in the back
• Ankle swellings
• Hypertension
• Anaemia
• Itchy skin
• Muscle cramps

These symptoms are nonspecific, especially in the elderly. That's why chronic renal failure is often diagnosed at a late stage when the disease is far advanced.

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Treatment:

AChronic renal failure is not reversible. Treatment is aimed at reducing the rate of progression and relieving symptoms with medications and modification in diet. Hypertension must be aggressively treated since high blood pressure can cause further damage to the kidneys. In serious cases, the patient would need artificial kidney to eliminate toxic wastes (dialysis) while kidney transplant is another option.

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Prevention:

• Diabetic patients should follow doctor's advice to obtain optimal control of the blood sugar.
• Measure blood pressure at regular intervals and seek treatment if it is high.
• Do not take drugs unnecessarily, especially pain-killers.

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