Overview of Kidney Failure
The kidneys are important organs located in the back, on both sides of the spine, just above the waist. Kidney functions include filtering blood by removing waste and excess water, maintaining salt and electrolyte balance in the blood, and regulating blood pressure. Kidney failure is a condition of impaired kidney function, with many causes and diseases leading to it.
1 Causes of Kidney Failure
Causes of acute kidney failure include:
- Lack of blood flow to the kidneys: Blood loss due to injury, dehydration, or kidney damage from sepsis.
- Kidney disease: Prostatic hypertrophy, kidney damage due to some drugs or toxins.
- Blockage of urine leaving the kidneys: May be due to kidney stones, prostate enlargement, or HELLP syndrome.
Causes of chronic kidney failure include:
- Diabetes and hypertension: Common causes.
- Glomerulonephritis and tubulointerstitial nephritis: Causes kidney damage.
- Prolonged blockage of the urinary tract: May be due to kidney stones or cancer.
2 Symptoms of Kidney Failure
Symptoms of kidney failure develop over time and are often nonspecific. In the early stages, the disease often has no symptoms. When present, symptoms include:
- Fluid retention: Leads to swelling in the arms and legs, increased blood pressure, and acute pulmonary edema.
- Hyperkalemia: Can be life-threatening.
- Cardiovascular disease, weak bones, and anemia.
- Reduced sexual desire or impotence.
- Central nervous system damage: Causes difficulty concentrating, personality changes, or seizures.
- Reduced immune response: More susceptible to infection.
3 Ways to Treat Kidney Failure
- Acute kidney failure: Occurs within a few days and complete or partial recovery of kidney function is possible after appropriate treatment for a few weeks.
- Chronic kidney failure: Progressive process without recovery of kidney function. Treatment is aimed at slowing the progression of the disease and preventing complications. When kidney function decreases by 90%, renal replacement therapy with dialysis is needed
4 Measures to Prevent Kidney Failure
Kidney failure is a serious problem that affects people’s health and quality of life. Here are 11 measures to prevent kidney failure that you should apply :
- Good blood sugar control: Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure. Maintain stable blood sugar levels by exercising, increasing fiber in your menu, and considering the amount of starch you consume.
- Be careful with blood pressure: High blood pressure can cause damage to blood vessels in the kidneys. Monitor your blood pressure regularly and stay away from alcoholic beverages.
- Weight control: Obesity is closely related to kidney failure. Maintain ideal weight with a reasonable diet and daily exercise.
- Pay attention to nutrition: Limit protein-rich foods, reduce salt intake, and add enough water every day.
- Quit smoking: Smoking damages blood vessels and increases the risk of kidney failure. Give up this habit to protect your kidney health.
- Limit alcoholic beverages: Alcohol can negatively impact the kidneys. Limit your consumption of alcoholic beverages.
- Do not abuse over-the-counter medications: Use medications as prescribed by your doctor to avoid negative effects on the kidneys.
- Relieve pressure and stress: Prolonged stress can affect kidney health. Find ways to reduce pressure and relax.
- Exercise regularly: Physical exercise improves blood circulation and supports kidney function.
- Reduce salt intake: Salt can cause high blood pressure and affect the kidneys. Limit your salt consumption.
- Drink enough water: Drinking enough water helps maintain kidney function and eliminate toxins.
Remember, preventing kidney failure in the first place is important to protect your health. Apply the above measures to maintain healthy kidneys and a better quality of life.
