Kidney Failure: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

Posted by Dr. R. K. Mehta on 20 September 2022

When one or both kidneys stop functioning to perform their core functions, it’s called kidney failure in medical circles. Even though it is a serious medical condition, millions of people are not aware of the major causes, symptoms, and treatments for kidney failure. That’s why we decided to create this post.

In this post, Apex Hospital - home to top urologists in Sirsa, Haryana - will share the causes, symptoms, and treatments of kidney failure in men, and women.

Let’s start!

Types of kidney failure

 A 2018 estimate put the number of patients on chronic dialysis in India at about 175,000. However, not all kidney failures lead to dialysis. Below are the major types of kidney failure:

Acute kidney failure: It happens to the patient suddenly, typically within a few hours or days. Acute kidney failure occurs due to a blockage triggered by high blood pressure or kidney stone. Thankfully, it is potentially treatable.

Chronic prerenal kidney failure: When kidneys stop flowing blood to the core parts of the body for a long time, it’s known as chronic kidney failure. In this condition, the kidneys start to lose the ability to function, and shrink in size.

Chronic intrinsic kidney failure: This type of kidney failure happens when there is long-term damage to the kidneys due to intrinsic kidney diseases. These diseases occur due to severe bleeding or lack of oxygen.

Chronic post-renal kidney failure: Pressure caused in the kidneys due to a long-term blockage of the urinary tract damages the kidney and is known as chronic post-rental kidney failure.

Consult with best surgery hospital in Sirsa, Haryana. 

Symptoms of kidney failure

Every year, 100k patients are diagnosed with end stage kidney disease in India. Below are the 13 major symptoms of kidney failure in men and women:

Shortness of breath and chest pain

- Weakness and confusion

- Swelling in the legs, feet, or ankles

- Urinating more or less

- Seizures or coma in severe cases.

- Struggling to control high blood pressure.

- Vomiting and nausea.

- Cramping in the muscles.

- Dry or itchy skin.

- Insomnia 

- Blood in the urine.

- Persistent puffiness around the eyes.

- Poor appetite.

Get in touch with the best urologists in Hanumangarh

Causes of kidney failure

The rate of kidney failures in India has been growing steadily. Below are the 11 major causes behind kidney failure:

- Dehydration

- A urinary tract obstruction

- Certain medications

- Autoimmune kidney diseases

- Diabetes

- High blood pressure

- Pyelonephritis or also known as recurrent kidney infection.

- Heart diseases

- Smoking or drinking alcohol

- Frequent use of medications that can damage the kidneys.

- Scarring of the liver or liver failure

Tips to prevent kidney failure

Kidney failure is traumatic but with some lifestyle changes, we can greatly decrease its chances. Follow the below 10 tips to prevent kidney failure for better health:

- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

- Lose weight if you are overweight.

- Start eating foods that are lower in salt.

- Eat more vegetables and fruits to maintain the health of kidneys.

- Get enough sleep

- Get a regular checkup of your kidney. 

- Limit your intake of alcohol and quit smoking.

- Exercise regularly to reduce stress.

- Do not abuse pain relief medications 

- Manage high blood pressure, heart diseases, and diabetes.

Connect with the best urology doctor in Sirsa, Haryana. 

Treatments for kidney failure

Recovering from kidney failure is complex as well as expensive. Below are the major treatments for kidney failure:

Dialysis

During kidney failure, kidneys don’t filter blood the way they need to. Dialysis treatment is used when the kidneys fail to perform its function. For those who don’t know, it helps in removing waste products and excess fluids from the blood.

Kidney transplantation

This treatment is done by transplanting a new kidney to a patient with end-stage kidney failure. Kidney transplant is of two types:

Deceased-donor kidney transplants: It is the most common type of kidney transplant. When an organ donor dies, his/her kidney is donated to the people on the transplant waiting list. Children are given priority on the transplant waiting list and most children can receive a kidney from adults. 

Living-donor kidney transplants: Most people have two healthy working kidneys and can live a normal life with one kidney. When a living person decides to donate one kidney to the patient is known as a living-donor kidney transplant. A Relative, parent, neighbor, friend, or any stranger willing to help the patient can donate a kidney to save life.

Kidney failure: Final thoughts

We hope that the above post will help you learn everything about kidney failure. Book your appointment with our team of doctors to get help on kidney diseases. 

Have queries to ask? Drop them in the comments to get a quick reply from our team of health experts. 

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