The kidneys have the function of filtering and cleaning the blood, so when suffering from kidney failure, the organ deteriorates and loses its filtering capacity. As a result, the blood is filled with substances that the kidney should have eliminated. Its prevention is possible depending on its origin.
Types of kidney failure
- Acute renal failure is the sudden deterioration of renal function that is transient and therefore reversible. The kidneys are no longer able to adequately filter the blood and nitrogenous products, residues from the degradation of molecules and metabolism, accumulate. Consequently, urine production decreases and in most cases the person excretes less urine or none at all, which is called oliguria or anuria.
- Chronic renal failure is the progressive loss of kidney function over a long period of time, leading to kidney failure. Early diagnosis and adequate treatment in time allows in most cases to slow down this process.
Symptoms of renal failure How to detect it?
It is important to point out that in Urology, when speaking of renal failure, we refer to an alteration in the function of both kidneys or of one kidney in a patient who only has one kidney. And it is perfectly possible to live with only one kidney, but it must be taken into account that only one kidney is performing the function of both and therefore may be more predisposed to develop CKD if not properly cared for.
When acute renal failure occurs, its short duration does not result in the manifestation of all the clinical alterations of the lack of renal function, however, in chronic renal failure, the symptoms and analytical alterations typical of this situation will appear, such as:
- Swelling of legs, ankles, feet, face and hands.
- Changes in urination
- Generalized itching
- Metallic taste in the mouth
- Nausea and vomiting
- Cold sensation
- Lack of concentration
Causes of kidney failure
The kidneys can be affected by different types of pathologies:
1. Urinary tract infections:
Kidney infection or pyelonephritis is a type of urinary tract infection that generally starts in the urethra or bladder and moves upward to the kidneys. When it is acute, it is sudden and severe, causing the kidneys to swell. Normally with specific treatment it is cured, but it could permanently damage the kidneys. When it is repeated or persistent it is called chronic pyelonephritis, although it is not very common.
2. Kidney stones:
Kidney stones, also called kidney stones, affect 5% of the Spanish population, being more common in women and children. This disease is the result of the crystallization of substances that are normally dissolved in the urine. In most cases the cause is unknown, but in approximately 1 in 5 cases genetic factors, diet, the amount of liquid ingested, urinary tract infections and various metabolic diseases are involved.
3. Miscellaneous diseases:
Many cases of chronic renal failure come from diabetes mellitus or high blood pressure suffered for years, inflammatory diseases of the kidney or excessive consumption of certain painkillers.
Glomerulonephritis:
Glomerulonephritis is a problem that affects the kidney units in charge of the filtering process called glomeruli. When a person has glomerulonephritis, his glomeruli become inflamed, swollen and irritated, and his kidneys stop working properly.
5. Kidney cancer:
Malignant tumors of the kidney are rather infrequent in Spain. They represent between 3% and 4% of all cancers, the most frequent form being renal cell carcinoma.
Treatment of renal failure
Depending on the triggering cause, the solutions will be different:
1. renal infections: the causes of the infections are detected in order to treat them. In many cases the cause is not found and treatment will consist of vaccinations and antibiotic prophylaxis to reduce the number of infections.
2. Kidney stones: its treatment will depend on the size and the situation in which the stone is found. Possible treatments include:
- Expulsive treatment: stones below 10 mm are theoretically expellable.
- Ureterorenoscopy: This would consist of introducing a fine device through the ureter until it reaches the stone and breaking it up by means of a Holmium laser.
- Nephrolithotomy: surgery to remove large stones directly from the kidney, in which a small incision is made in the back and instruments are introduced through a tube into the kidney to remove the stones.
- Extracorporeal lithotripsy: performed by a machine that can break up stones from outside the body using high-energy sound waves.
3. Miscellaneous diseases: it would be treated by adjusting glucose, blood pressure and other factors that influence the deterioration of renal function.
Glomerulonephritis: treatment depends on the cause of the disease and the severity of the symptoms. The control of hypertension is usually the most difficult and important aspect of treatment. Medications usually prescribed are:
- Blood pressure medications to control hypertension.
- Corticosteroids
- Medications that suppress the immune system
5. Kidney cancer: the ideal treatment is to treat the cancer in its early stages by surgery to remove all or part of the kidney.
Tips for maintaining healthy kidneys
Healthy eating habits, consistent exercise and avoiding tobacco and alcohol consumption, as well as regular examinations, are the best way to prevent any kidney disease or damage. In addition, you should avoid these risk factors:
1. Consumption of soft drinks. Regular consumption of carbonated beverages causes kidney stones that prevent the body from being cleansed.
2. Protein-containing foods. The substances that are most difficult for the kidneys to eliminate are the proteins found mainly in meat, fish and eggs, so their consumption should be moderate.
3. Drinking little water. A low consumption favors the appearance of renal damage and urinary infections. In addition, drinking about 2 liters per day contributes to the elimination of waste and avoids the formation of stones. Normally, it is recommended to drink one and a half liters of water, which is about six to eight glasses a day. The remaining half liter is acquired through healthy eating of fruits, which are already watery.
4. Foods with a lot of potassium. Potassium can also become harmful, as it contains substances that are poorly filtered by the kidney and accumulate in the blood.
5. High blood pressure. Hypertension damages the kidneys. Therefore, it is advisable not to take too much salt with meals.
6. Smoking. Smokers have a risk up to three times higher of developing renal alterations, even more when they have hypertension and diabetes.
7. Sedentary lifestyle. Since it is associated with a higher risk of hypertension, high cholesterol and diabetes.