Kidney failure is a condition that indicates the inability of the kidneys to perform their functions properly. Urologists and nephrologists distinguish between two types of kidney failure: acute and chronic. The criterion for difference is the rate at which the kidneys lose their functionality.
In acute renal failure, this happens abruptly and quickly. The term "acute" characterizes precisely the suddenness with which the condition develops. In chronic renal failure, the kidneys gradually lose their functional capacity. In this case, it is an inexorable and slowly developing mechanism that can last for months and even years.
While recovery of kidney function is possible in acute renal failure (therefore, the condition is potentially reversible), restoration of organ function is generally not possible in chronic renal failure. Both conditions have their own treatments, but their purpose is different.
What are the causes of acute renal failure?
The causes of kidney failure are numerous. It can arise in the presence of a number of conditions: A) which slow down or block the flow of blood to the kidneys; B) which directly damage the kidneys; AT) which block the outflow of urine inside the organs and structures of the excretory system.
The first conditions include : myocardial infarction, liver failure, allergic reactions, severe burns, severe dehydration or bleeding. The second conditions are: thrombosis in the arteries or veins of the renal vessels, the formation of cholesterol deposits in the renal vessels, glomerulonephritis , hemolytic uremic syndrome, kidney infections, systemic lupus erythematosus, chemotherapy, prolonged use of antibiotics, multiple myeloma, vasculitis , alcohol abuse .
Conditions that block the flow of urine: bladder, cervical, colon, prostate cancer, benign prostatic hypertrophy, kidney stones, damage to the nerve structures that control the bladder.
What are the signs of acute renal failure?
Typical symptoms and signs of acute renal failure include: decreased urine output, swelling of the lower extremities, drowsiness, shortness of breath, fatigue, confusion, nausea, convulsions, and chest pain.
The presence of these signs should prompt a person to immediately contact a urologist and consult on what to do. Kidney failure requires proper treatment, otherwise the patient's life is in serious danger. With any questions regarding your urological health, you can contact the specialists of the Bogolyuby Medical Center .
Why is kidney failure dangerous?
The condition itself is a complication of other diseases. In this case, further deterioration of renal failure may coincide with: pulmonary edema, risk of bone fractures, decreased libido and impotence, CNS lesions, reduced immune defense, and, consequently, greater susceptibility to infections, infertility and death in the absence of adequate or timely therapy.
How to treat?
In general, the treatment of renal failure is aimed at eliminating the cause and improving the symptomatic picture. As a rule, symptomatic therapy includes the use of diuretics to remove fluid accumulated in the tissues; the appointment of drugs that regulate the concentration of potassium and calcium in the blood.
Compliance with the diet recommended by the doctor is the cornerstone of the healing process. Among the most common advice on the type of diet for kidney failure are the following:
• avoid too salty food;
• give preference to foods low in potassium;
• reduce the intake of foods rich in proteins;
• limit foods high in phosphorus.
The prognosis for renal failure depends on the type of condition, provoking causes, timeliness of diagnosis, treatment, and the general health of the patient.
How to prevent kidney failure?
Avoid or limit alcohol intake, do not overuse drugs that can damage the kidneys (aspirin, ibuprofen , etc.), control body weight, eat a healthy low-salt diet, do not smoke, exercise regularly. Timely treatment of even the least worrisome kidney problems is the main preventive measure against kidney failure.
