Kidney Failure
• What are the kidneys?
• What do the kidneys do?
• What is kidney failure?
• What are the types of kidney failure?
• What is acute kidney failure?
• What is chronic kidney failure?
• What are the causes of kidney failure?
• How do I know I have kidney failure?
• What happens when the kidneys fail?
• How do I know there is something wrong with my kidneys?
• How is kidney failure treated?
• What can I do to reduce damage to my kidney disease?
• What is end-stage renal disease?
• What are the treatments for End-Stage-Renal Disease (ESRD)?
• Can kidney failure be cured?
• What are the complications associated with kidney failure?
• What are the risk factors of kidney failure?
• Does kidney failure run in families?
• Will kidney failure affect my sexuality and fertility?
• Who does the surgery of kidney transplant?
   
  What are the kidneys? Back up
 
Each person is normally born with two kidneys, located in the lower back. The kidneys are shaped like beans and are the size of the fist. Each kidney contains normally about one million little filters called nephrons.
   
  What do the kidneys do? Back up
 
The kidneys have many functions. Their basic job is to clean the blood through the little filters by removing waste products and to regulate the body fluid. They perform this by producing urine where what is not needed in the body is eliminated. They also assist in the production of vitamin D and erythropoietin, a protein necessary to produce hemoglobin for red blood cells.
   
  What is Kidney Failure? Back up
 
Kidney failure occurs when both kidneys are so damaged that they no longer can clean waste products from the blood. When only one kidney is lost, the other one is usually strong enough to do the job.
   
  What are the types of kidney failure? Back up
  There are 2 types of kidney failure:
 
1 Acute Kidney Failure
2 Chronic Kidney Failure
   
  What is Acute Kidney Failure? Back up
 
Acute Kidney (Renal) Failure is a sudden decrease in kidney function. It can happen for example with severe infections, severe vomiting and diarrhea with dehydration, intoxications or allergic reactions. With treatment in the hospital, usually dialysis, there is almost always return to normal kidney function.
   
  What is Chronic Kidney Failure? Back up
 
Chronic Kidney (Renal) Failure is the gradual loss of kidney function because of kidney damage. Often people are unaware that their kidneys are not functioning properly, as they are highly adaptable organs. Even when most of a kidney is not functioning, the remaining portion will increase its activity to compensate for the loss.
   
  What are the causes of kidney failure? Back up
  The leading causes of kidney failure in Nigeria are:
 
1 Hypertension (High blood pressure)
2 Chronic Glomerulonephritis
3 Diabetes Mellitus
4 Chronic Pyelonephritis
5 Sickle cell disease
6 Systemic Lupus Erythematosis (SLE)
7 For some people, the cause is unknown
   
  How do I know I have kidney failure? Back up
 
The symptoms of kidney failure tend to appear gradually over a long period of time. They are therefore often easily overlooked or considered a response to the stress of daily life. This may delay diagnosis and treatment, increasing damage to the kidneys.
  If you experience any of the following symptoms, discuss them promptly with your doctor:
 
• Nocturia (getting up at night to pass urine)
• Tiredness / lethargy
• Loss of appetite & nausea
• Increased or decreased urine volume
• Discomfort over the bladder / lower abdomen area
• High blood pressure.
• swelling in your hands, feet or face, particularly around your eyes
• a metallic or foreign taste in your mouth
• pain in the small of your back or kidneys
• shortness of breath
• restlessness
• leg cramps
   
  How do I know there is something wrong with my kidneys? Back up
 
There are very few symptoms of kidney disease until the kidneys are severely affected. Usually kidney disease is picked up early, by early monitoring or screening blood (serum creatinine particularly) and urine tests (to detect blood and protein).
   
  What happens when the kidneys fail? Back up
 
Harmful waste products and excess fluid accumulate in the body. The individual will have a poor appetite, will get tired more easily, will look pale because of anemia (low number of red blood cells), and performance may be affected.
   
  How is kidney failure treated? Back up
 
When the kidney failure becomes severe (usually less than 10 to 15% of the normal kidney functions), it is called end-stage-renal disease (ESRD) and treatments that replace the work of healthy kidneys must be started; this includes Dialysis and Transplantation.
   
  What can I do to reduce damage to my kidney disease? Back up
 
• Eating a healthy diet – it may be appropriate for you to see a dietitian
•
Drinking adequate fluid (preferably water) – and less glucose containing (sugar) drinks such as carbonated drinks. This is especially indicated if you have urinary tract infections or kidney stones.
• Not smoking.
•
Moderate alcohol consumption – one to two average (an average sized drink = one 300ml beer; or one shot of spirits; or one 150ml glass of wine) sized drinks per days some days per week. Not binge drinking (large amounts of alcohol infrequently).
•
Keeping fit with regular exercise to help blood pressure, weight control and help prevent vascular disease.
•
Maintaining a good body weight – which reduces blood pressure stress of being overweight and diabetes mellitus.
   
  What is end-stage renal disease? Back up
 
Also called end-stage renal failure, it is the point at which the kidneys cannot sustain life any more.
   
  What are the treatments for End-Stage-Renal Disease (ESRD)? Back up
  When the kidneys fail completely, 2 options are available to sustain life: dialysis or transplantation.
   
  Can kidney failure be cured? Back up
 
Acute renal failure is a serious condition but it may resolve in time and sometimes within days. Recovery also depends on the underlying cause and the treatment given. Chronic renal failure cannot be cured.
   
  What are the complications associated with kidney failure? Back up
 
It is possible to lead a healthy life with just one kidney working at 25 per cent capacity, but symptoms may occur at different stages, depending on the person. When kidney function drops below 20 per cent of normal function, toxic waste and excess fluid begin to accumulate in the blood. Kidney failure may be responsible for various complications including:
 
• Fluid retention in the body’s tissue, known as “oedema”
• Fluid in the lungs known as “pulmonary oedema”
• Anaemia i.e. a lowered count of red blood cells
• Calcium shortage leading to the bones becoming weak
• End-stage renal failure (ESRF) also known as end stage renal disease (ESRD)
 
Early detection and appropriate treatment may slow or stop the progression of kidney failure and its complications.
   
  What are the risk factors of kidney failure? Back up
  Those most at risk of chronic kidney failure include people who:
 
• have diabetes
• have high blood pressure
• are obese
• are over 50 years old
• use traditional medication frequently
• smoke cigarettes
• have a family history of kidney disease
   
  Does kidney failure run in families? Back up
 
Although it is unusual, some forms of chronic renal failure run in families. Inherited disease like polycystic kidney disease can lead to CRF.
   
  Will kidney failure affect my sexuality and fertility? Back up
 
Decreased libido can occur and loss of fertility during renal failure and dialysis can be distressful to patients. It is often restored after a kidney transplant and many patients have successful pregnancies.
   
  Who does the surgery of transplanting a kidney? Back up
  A transplant surgeon