Kidney failure or otherwise called renal failure is the inability of the kidney to carry out its work either for a short or long period. The kidneys are two organs located on either side of the spine in the middle of the back just above the waist.
One may ask what are the works of the kidney.they are:
a) filtering and removal of waste products from the blood
b) production of important hormones like Erythroprotein that stimulates production of red blood cells
When kidneys damage, waste products and fluid build up in the body causing poisonous effects, if left untreated they may stop working completely and death may occur.
Kidney failure are of two types: Acute kidney failure and Chronic kidney failure.
In acute kidney failure, there is a loss of kidney function for a short time , less than 3months and if well treated,the kidney functions will be restored while in chronic, there is slow and progressive loss of kidney function for over 3months.Damage is not reversible but remains for life time.
Causes of chronic kidney failure may include:
Signs and symptoms of chronic kidney failure.
As a silent disease, there are no symptoms until late in the course of the disease. 90% of kidney function can be lost without symptoms. When symptoms occur, they include:
GFR is normal
Stage 2 (mild): feeling of unwellness
increase in urine frequency
high blood pressure
GFR is 60-89ml
Stage 3(moderate): protein or blood in urine
weakness and fatigue
Anaemia
shortness of breath
GFR is 30-59ml
Stage 4 (severe): high blood pressure
decrease in amount of urine passed
ncreased tiredness and loss of appetite
GFR is 15-29ml
Stage 5 (end stage): Kidneys are unable to work
GFR is less than 15ml
This is the time to start dialysis or kidney transplant
HELP PROTECT YOUR KIDNEY by keeping a healthy blood pressure-less than 130/80nmHg, controlling blood sugar if diabetic, drinking water at least 8 glasses a day,treating tract and urinary infections that can damage the kidney,exercising and having only selected fruits as food for the day
STAY HEALTHY FOR HEALTH IS WEALTH !!!!!!!!
One may ask what are the works of the kidney.they are:
a) filtering and removal of waste products from the blood
b) production of important hormones like Erythroprotein that stimulates production of red blood cells
When kidneys damage, waste products and fluid build up in the body causing poisonous effects, if left untreated they may stop working completely and death may occur.
Kidney failure are of two types: Acute kidney failure and Chronic kidney failure.
In acute kidney failure, there is a loss of kidney function for a short time , less than 3months and if well treated,the kidney functions will be restored while in chronic, there is slow and progressive loss of kidney function for over 3months.Damage is not reversible but remains for life time.
Causes of chronic kidney failure may include:
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes type 1 and 2
- Chronic viral diseases like HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B and C
- Urinary tract infections within the kidney
- Birth defects of urinary tract obstruction or malformation
- Drugs and toxins
Signs and symptoms of chronic kidney failure.
As a silent disease, there are no symptoms until late in the course of the disease. 90% of kidney function can be lost without symptoms. When symptoms occur, they include:
- Burning or difficulty during urination
- Increase in number of times of urination
- Protein or blood in urine
- Puffiness around the eyes, swelling of the hands and feet
- Pain at the back below the ribs
- High Blood Pressure
- Nausea or vomiting
- Tiredness, difficulty in sleeping
- Loss of appetite and
- Shortness of breath
Stages of chronic kidney failure
Stage 1: damage to kidney is small and no signs and symptomsGFR is normal
Stage 2 (mild): feeling of unwellness
increase in urine frequency
high blood pressure
GFR is 60-89ml
Stage 3(moderate): protein or blood in urine
weakness and fatigue
Anaemia
shortness of breath
GFR is 30-59ml
Stage 4 (severe): high blood pressure
decrease in amount of urine passed
ncreased tiredness and loss of appetite
GFR is 15-29ml
Stage 5 (end stage): Kidneys are unable to work
GFR is less than 15ml
This is the time to start dialysis or kidney transplant
HELP PROTECT YOUR KIDNEY by keeping a healthy blood pressure-less than 130/80nmHg, controlling blood sugar if diabetic, drinking water at least 8 glasses a day,treating tract and urinary infections that can damage the kidney,exercising and having only selected fruits as food for the day
STAY HEALTHY FOR HEALTH IS WEALTH !!!!!!!!