All about Kidney Failure: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & Prevention

Here is Everything You Need To Know!

In India, chronic kidney disease is ranked as the eighth leading cause of death. Globally, the disease ranks at number 5th among the cause of deaths. Diabetes happened to be the largest contributor to renal failure. 

With these dismal prospects in view, it is essential to understand that it is important to protect your kidneys as they play a vital role in the body. If you or any of your loved ones are suffering from kidney failure, find out what the disease is about and what you can do to survive it.

Kidneys are two bean-shaped organs located in your lower back region. They are located on either side of the spine. The kidneys' function is to remove toxins from your body and other waste products like hormones, urea and excess sugars.

Kidney failure is also known as end-stage renal disease (ESRD). It occurs when the kidneys fail to remove the toxic chemicals from the body. This means that around 85-90% of your kidney's normal functioning is hampered. They don't work well enough to keep you healthy and alive. In such cases, you will need to opt for dialysis or get a kidney transplant. In both cases, you can continue to live your everyday life with just a little bit of adjustment. 

Hence you must be curious to know what is the reason for kidney failure. Let's take a look at the most probable causes.

There are many potential causes of kidney failure, and they range from having autoimmune diseases to urinary tract problems. 

When wondering what causes kidney failure, the following two are the major contributors.

Loss of blood flow to the kidneys

Whenever there is a lack of blood flow to the kidneys, it could potentially cause renal failure. What causes a loss of blood flow to the kidneys? Heart attack, heart disease, scarring of the liver, or liver disease are potential causes of blood flow loss. 

Also, dehydration, a severe burn, allergic reaction, and severe infection such as sepsis could potentially cause decreased blood flow to kidneys. Other causes are high blood pressure and anti-inflammatory medications.

Problems with urine elimination

When the body cannot eliminate urine, toxins build up in the body, which overloads the kidneys, causing renal failure. Some cancers can block the urine pathways, such as prostate (in men), colon, bladder, and cervical cancer. There may be other causes why you are unable to pass urine. These are kidney stones, enlarged prostate, blood clots in the urinary tract, renal nerve damage. 

Now that you know what is the reason for kidney failure, there are other potential causes that can lead to renal failure. 

• Any blood clots in the region surrounding the kidneys or even within the kidneys
• Infection in the kidney region
• Extra toxins from an overload of heavy metals
• The presence of lupus which is an autoimmune disease causing inflammation of many internal body organs
• Glomerulonephritis- an inflammation of kidney blood vessels
• Drugs
• Alcohol
• Vasculitis- an inflammation of blood vessels
• Hemolytic uremic syndrome 
• Multiple myeloma
• Scleroderma
• Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura 
• Chemotherapy Medication for autoimmune conditions and cancer
• Dyes utilised in some imaging tests
• Use of antibiotics
• Uncontrolled diabetes

There are commonly five types of kidney failure. These are:

1. Chronic post-renal kidney failure

If there has been a long-term blockage of the urinary tract that has been preventing urination, it can cause pressure and eventually kidney damage.

2. Chronic prerenal kidney failure

This type of renal failure occurs when there is a long-term loss of blood flow to the kidneys. If it continues for an extended period, it can cause the kidney to shrink and lose its ability to function.

3. Chronic intrinsic kidney failure

Intrinsic kidney disease is the cause of this type of renal failure. It develops from direct trauma to the kidneys, such as severe bleeding or a lack of oxygen. Any long-term damage to the kidneys because of intrinsic kidney disease can cause this type of kidney failure.

4. Acute intrinsic kidney failure

This type of kidney failure results from direct trauma to the kidneys. It could be a physical accident or injury. Other causes can include toxin overload or ischemia.  Ischemia is an oxygen lack to the kidneys, and it can be caused by severe bleeding, shock, blood vessel obstruction, and glomerulonephritis.

5. Acute prerenal kidney failure

The chief cause of this is the insufficient flow of blood to the kidneys. Less blood flow to the kidneys means the organs cannot remove the toxins from the blood. It can only be cured once the doctors determine the cause of the decreased blood flow. 

Once you have understood the five potential types of renal failure, how will you know if you have the disease? Let us find out what are the symptoms of kidney failure.

The symptoms of kidney failure depend on the type of renal failure, which is acute (sudden) or chronic (over time). 

Signs of kidney failure (Acute)

Some of the common signs of kidney failure are the swelling of hands, feet and face, known as oedema. There may be internal bleeding, confusion, seizures, coma, or abnormal blood or urine tests. High blood pressure is another cause of acute renal failure.

Signs of kidney failure (Chronic)

Strangely a person with this type of kidney failure does not display any symptoms until the kidney function reduces to 20% or less. When that stage comes, you can notice the following symptoms.

• chest pains
• numbness and tingling
• confusion
• fatigue
• headaches
• muscle twitches and cramps
• weak bones that break easily
• coma
• seizures
• easy bruising
• itching
• Sudden weight loss 
• low red blood cell count (anemia)
• nausea
• vomiting
• metallic taste in your mouth
• loss of appetite
• shortness of breath
• yellow-brown skin colour
• itching
• abnormal blood and urine tests
• high blood pressure
• swelling of the hands, feet and face (oedema)
• trouble falling asleep

Now that you know what are the symptoms of kidney damage, the next stage should be to consult a doctor. 

One of the common kidney failure symptoms in men and women is urinating very frequently, which could also cause urinary infection or an enlarged prostate.

There are several tests that doctors can use to diagnose kidney failure.

Urinalysis

In a urinalysis, the doctor will look out for abnormalities that will help to determine whether you have kidney failure or not. Some of what they will be looking for are:

• Abnormal protein or sugar levels
• Check for the amount of red and white blood cells
• Look for high levels of bacteria
• Look out for cellular casts

Doctors can use this test for the diagnosis of kidney disease.

Urine volume measurements

Measuring the urine output is another way to determine if there is a kidney problem. Low output could be because of urinary blockage.

Taking blood samples

The doctor may ask to test your blood to measure those substances that are secreted by the kidneys. The doctors will test for blood urea nitrogen and creatinine. Any rise in these levels causes acute kidney levels.

Imaging

There are tests like ultrasounds, MRIs and CT scans that provide images of the kidney. The doctor can look for abnormalities or blockages in the kidney.

Kidney tissue sample

Doctors will conduct a biopsy to collect the tissue sample. They will be looking for any abnormal deposits, scarring, or infections. 

These are the commonest ways on how to diagnose kidney disease. Your doctor will use one of these procedures to find out the problem with your kidney.

There are two common types of kidney treatment. One is dialysis, and the other is a transplant. Once you know what is the treatment for kidney disease you can set up some time with your doctor and begin on the treatment options.

Dialysis

In dialysis, the patient will be hooked up to a dialysis machine, and the blood will pass to the device. Here it will be purified based on the osmotic difference between the blood and the fluid in the dialysis tube. Once you are on dialysis, you need to follow a low potassium and sodium diet so that your levels in the blood do not rise at high levels. Dialysis does not cure renal failure, but it can extend your life and help you live every day normally.

The cost of dialysis can vary as per the city of your residence. However, each session can cost anywhere between Rs.800 and Rs.2000.

Some of the complications that arise from dialysis are as follows:

• Hypotension
• Electrolyte abnormalities
• Infection
• Fluid overload
• Dialysis disequilibrium syndrome

Kidney transplant

There is only one option for kidney failure treatment without dialysis: to get a replacement or a transplant. The only problem with this is finding a proper donor. You will need to get someone who has a kidney that is compatible with your body. 

After the kidney transplant, you will need to take immunosuppressive pills to prevent your body from rejecting the kidney. These immunosuppressants have their side effects.

Moreover, kidney transplants can cost around Rs.5-6 lakhs, which is not affordable for many average Indian households.  

Lastly, not everyone is a great candidate for surgery, so you should probably consult with your doctor to see if you are a good fit for the procedure. 

With only these two options for how to treat  kidney failure, it can be understood that kidney failure is quite a serious disease with no chance of restoration of the kidney to its previous state. 

Hence kidney failure treatment is the last resort for those with renal failure.

There are plenty of risk factors associated with kidney failure. These are as follows:

• Diabetes
• Being African-American, Native American, or Asian-American
• Family history of kidney disease
• High blood pressure
• Abnormal kidney structure
• Older age
• Heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) disease
• Smoking
• Obesity

Persons who are suffering from any of these problems can be at high risk for kidney failure.

There are several complications of kidney failure, and these are as follows:

• Gout
• Secondary hyperparathyroidism
• Heart disease
• High potassium (hyperkalemia)
• Fluid buildup
• Bone disease and high phosphorus (hyperphosphatemia)
• Anemia 
• Metabolic acidosis

There are certain facets that, if you control, can prevent the occurrence of kidney failure. These are:

• Avoid smoking
• Keep your body weight in check
• Drink in moderation
• Follow an active lifestyle with moderate exercise
• Make healthy food choices
• Consult with doctors to manage any underlying conditions, which can hamper kidney functioning

By following any of these, you can work towards the prevention of kidney failure in humans. 

If you have been diagnosed with kidney failure, all hope is not lost. With some adjustments to your lifestyle, you can continue to live a fulfilling and meaningful life. When you start dialysis, you will need time to adjust to the routine, but it can become a part of your daily routine as time goes on.