Kidney failure, or kidney failure, is when the kidneys lose their ability to filter the blood and eliminate substances that can be toxic to the body, causing symptoms such as frequent tiredness, itchy skin, foamy urine and swelling in the body.
If kidney failure is suspected, it is important to consult a nephrologist or general practitioner. Furthermore, if symptoms appear suddenly, it is recommended to go to an emergency room for an evaluation and start appropriate treatment.
See, in the following video, other symptoms that may indicate kidney failure:
Symptoms of kidney failure
The main symptoms of kidney failure are:
- Little urine;
- Foamy urine;
- Frequent tiredness;
- Feeling of shortness of breath;
- Swelling of the legs and feet;
- Decreased appetite;
- Nausea and vomiting;
- Frequent cramps;
- Tremor, especially in the hands;
- Tingling in hands and feet;
- Itchy skin;
- Drowsiness or mental confusion.
When observing these symptoms, it is recommended that the person consult a general practitioner or nephrologist so that the symptoms can be assessed and tests can be requested to help assess the functioning of the kidney and, thus, be able to initiate the most appropriate treatment. See other symptoms that may indicate kidney problems.
Main types
Kidney failure can be classified into two types, according to the speed of loss of kidney function:
- Acute kidney failure or acute kidney injury: there is a rapid reduction in kidney function with symptoms that appear suddenly;
- Chronic renal failure or chronic kidney disease: There is a gradual loss of kidney function, leading to symptoms that worsen over time. It usually happens as a complication of another disease, such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity.
Kidney failure, or kidney failure, does not always have a cure and, therefore, in some cases, treatment may include hemodialysis or kidney transplantation to improve quality of life and promote well-being.
How to confirm the diagnosis
The diagnosis of kidney failure, or kidney failure, is made by a nephrologist or general practitioner taking into account the symptoms, the person’s health history and test results, such as blood creatinine levels, which may be high. Understand what can cause high creatinine.
In addition, the doctor may also recommend other tests, such as abdominal ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, measurement of urea, sodium or potassium in the blood and a urine test, to confirm the diagnosis.
Make an appointment with your nearest nephrologist using the following tool to investigate your risk of kidney failure:
Taking care of your health has never been easier!
Main causes
Kidney failure or kidney failure can be caused by:
- Uncontrolled diabetes;
- Arterial hypertension without adequate treatment;
- Dehydration;
- Obstruction of the renal arteries;
- Use of medications, especially non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- Interruption of the passage of urine, caused by kidney stones, prostate enlargement or tumor;
- Serious infections, in which bacteria can reach the kidney and other parts of the body, potentially causing damage to the organ;
- Polycystic kidney disease, which is characterized by the presence of several cysts in the kidney, which can impair its functioning;
- Excessive use of protein supplements.
Furthermore, people with a family history of kidney problems and who have already undergone a transplant or are over 60 years of age are also more likely to develop kidney failure. Learn about other causes of kidney failure.
How the treatment is carried out
Treatment for kidney failure or kidney failure must be guided by a nephrologist and can be done at home or in the hospital, depending on the severity and cause of the disease.
Thus, treatment may involve suspending or adjusting medications, injecting serum directly into a vein, using diuretics or antihypertensives and controlling blood sugar, for example.
In more serious cases, especially chronic kidney disease, it may be necessary to undergo a kidney transplant or hemodialysis, which is a procedure that aims to filter the blood, removing all impurities that the kidneys cannot filter.
Furthermore, during treatment for kidney failure, it is important that the person follows a diet recommended by the nutritionist, which should be a diet rich in carbohydrates and low in proteins, salt and potassium, as this makes it possible to prevent kidney overload. See more details on the diet for kidney failure.
Check out the video below for more tips on eating during the treatment of kidney failure or kidney failure:
Is kidney failure curable?
Kidney failure can be cured in some cases, especially when it is acute and its cause is identified and treated appropriately. Chronic renal failure has no cure, but it is possible to slow its progression through appropriate treatment.
How to prevent kidney failure
To prevent the kidneys from losing their function, it is essential to drink plenty of fluids and only take medications under medical advice, as many medications are eliminated in the urine and can overload kidney functions.
Another important recommendation is to adopt a healthier lifestyle, maintaining a diet low in salt and fat, in addition to practicing physical activities at least 3 times a week to avoid becoming overweight, and avoiding the consumption of alcoholic beverages and smoking.
Furthermore, in cases of high blood pressure or diabetes, you must undergo regular medical monitoring and take the medications prescribed by your doctor to avoid kidney damage that could cause kidney failure.
