What is the Cause of Kidney Failure?

Kidney Failure: Causes, Risk Factors, and Treatment Options

Kidney failure, also known as renal failure, is diagnosed when one or both of your kidneys stop functioning properly. The kidneys are vital organs that eliminate toxic waste by filtering it from the blood and excreting it from the body through urine. If they stop functioning properly, waste substances build up in the bloodstream, leading to severe complications and eventually death. 

This guide explains common causes, risk factors, and treatment options for kidney failure. Keep reading to find out! 

Common Risk Factors of Kidney Disease 

Kidney disease can affect anyone. Here are the risk factors that can increase the chances of this medical condition: 

• Poorly controlled diabetes mellitus 
• High blood pressure or hypertension 
• Cardiac diseases 
• Obesity 
• Smoking or the use of tobacco products 
• A family history of kidney disease 
• Ageing 
• Abnormal kidney structure 
• Frequent use of painkillers such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) 

Common Causes of Kidney Failure 

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is typically a slow and silent disease that can take years to get to a point where it impacts someone. The damage caused can worsen over several months or years. Here are the notable causes of CKD: 

• Persistently high blood pressure damages the small blood vessels in the kidneys over time, impairing their filtering ability.  
• Unmanaged diabetes can lead to an increase in blood sugar levels, which is also known as hyperglycaemia. The kidneys can be harmed if someone has high blood sugar for too many days. 

Here are some other factors that contribute to chronic kidney disease: 

• Polycystic Kidney Disease: It’s a genetic disorder that people inherit from either of their parents. This leads to the growth of fluid sacs or cysts inside the kidney. 
• Autoimmune Kidney Diseases: Several autoimmune kidney diseases restrict the kidney from functioning well, such as lupus, causing organ damage, joint pain, fever, and skin itching. 

Kidney failure can also develop unexpectedly in a short span of a few days, which is often temporary but in some cases it can lead to permanent kidney damage or chronic kidney disease. Here are some causes of this illness: 

• Severe dehydration 
• An obstruction in the urinary tract 
• Certain medications 
• Physical trauma to the kidneys after a major surgical intervention or an accident 
• Blockage in the ureters due to the formation of kidney stones, a tumour, or an enlarged prostate 

What are the Symptoms of Kidney Failure? 

Acute Kidney Failure Symptoms 

Here are the symptoms of acute kidney failure: 

• Fever 
• Feeling very tired 
• Rash 
• Back pain 
• Weaknesses 
• Loss of appetite 
• Pain in the Stomach 
• Muscle cramps 
• Nose bleeding 
• Vomiting 
• Tissue swelling 
• Pale skin 
• Unusual bleeding 
• Bloody or normal diarrhoea 

Chronic Kidney Failure Symptoms 

The chronic renal kidney failure symptoms are as follows: 

• Pain in the bone 
• Headache 
• Loss of appetite 
• Dry or itchy skin 
• Vomiting 
• Difficulty breathing 
• Insomnia 
• Frequent infection in the urinary tract 
• Excessive or a lack of urine output 

Diagnosis Process for Kidney Failure 

If the doctor suspects the risk of kidney failure, then he may prescribe certain kidney function tests, which include:   

1. Blood Tests: Blood tests can show how well the kidneys function in removing toxins from the body. 
2. Urine Tests: Urine tests can measure the amount of certain substances in the urine that can indicate kidney damage. 
3. Imaging Tests: Imaging tests can include ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) urogram and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the kidneys. It allows the doctor to look at the kidneys and the area surrounding them for obstructions, irregularities, etc. 

Treatment Options for Kidney Failure 

The doctor can recommend treatment options for kidney failure depending on the type and severity of the condition. If it’s acute kidney failure, then the doctor may prescribe a few medications depending on the cause. These can include: 

1. Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker (ARB): If you have high blood pressure, these medications help the body lower high blood pressure.
2. Diuretics: These medicines help to remove excess fluid accumulated in the body due to kidney failure. 
3. Statins: These are given to manage cholesterol levels. 
4. Erythropoietin-stimulating Agents: These medicines help form red blood cells if the person suffers from anaemia. 
5. Phosphate Binders: These medicines help to remove excess phosphorus accumulated in the bloodstream.   

Chronic kidney failure has no cure, but the symptoms can be managed with proper treatment. There are two primary treatments to manage symptoms of chronic kidney failure: 

1. Dialysis 

It helps to filter impurities from the blood. It can be of two types: 

• Haemodialysis: In this process, a machine filters out toxins from the blood. It is undertaken at a hospital three to four days a week. 
• Peritoneal Dialysis: In this process, a bag with a dialysis solution is attached to the catheter in the patient's abdominal cavity. The solution flows from the bag into the abdominal lining to absorb toxic substances and excess fluids accumulated in the body and drains them back into the bag. 

2. Kidney Transplant 

In this process, the patient's damaged kidney is replaced with a healthy kidney from a deceased or living donor. After the transplant, it is necessary to receive proper medications and aftercare to prevent damage to the transplanted kidney. 

How to Prevent Kidney Failure? 

To prevent kidney failure, individuals need to maintain a healthy lifestyle and manage medical conditions effectively. Let’s discuss some preventive measures. 

• Maintain a Healthy Weight 
• Adopt a Healthy Diet 
• Stay Hydrated 
• Exercise Regularly 
• Control High Blood Pressure 
• Manage Medications 
• Kidney Screening 
• Limit Exposure to Toxins 
    

However, if you experience any of the above-mentioned kidney failure symptoms, it is recommended to consult your doctor as soon as possible. Receiving the treatment at the right time can help relieve sudden kidney failure symptoms and enable proper kidney functioning. 

Reader information: The information provided in this article is intended for general educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Kidney disease and kidney failure are complex medical conditions, and symptoms, causes, and treatment options may vary from person to person. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical condition, symptoms, or treatment decisions. Do not ignore or delay professional medical advice based on information contained in this article. In case of a medical emergency, consult a doctor or visit the nearest healthcare facility immediately.

Also Read:

→ Can Kidney Disease be Cured

→ What are the Signs of Kidney Damage

→ What are the Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease

→ How to Prevent Kidney Disease

→ What is Stage 4 Kidney Lupus