Kidney failure is when your kidneys stop working well enough for you to live without dialysis or a kidney transplant. Kidney failure can happen very suddenly (called acute renal failure) or slowly over time. In most cases, kidney failure is permanent.
Kidney failure is the most severe stage of chronic kidney disease
CKD.
CKD means that your kidneys are damaged. With CKD, your kidneys may still be working, but they’re not working as well as they
should.
How can I prevent kidney failure?
The best way to prevent kidney failure is to prevent CKD. If you have CKD, work with your doctor to slow it down. You may not be able to fix the damage that is already done, but you might be able to keep the damage
from getting worse.
WHAT ARE THE TESTS FOR KIDNEY FAILURE?
The tests for kidney failure are the same as the tests for CKD. If you think that you may be at risk for kidney failure, ask your doctor about these tests:
eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate)
This test tells your doctor how well your kidneys clean your blood. Your doctor tests your blood for a kind of
waste called creatinine. Healthy kidneys filter creatinine out of your blood. Your doctor will then use your creatinine test result to figure out your eGFR. An eGFR less than 60 for 3 months or more may be a sign of kidney disease.
Urine Test
This test tells your doctor if there is blood or protein in your urine.
Your doctor may test your urine in the office or ask you to collect your urine at home. Protein or blood in your urine may be a sign of kidney disease.
Blood Pressure
This test tells your doctor how hard your heart is working to pump your blood. High blood pressure can cause kidney disease, but kidney disease can also cause you to have high blood pressure. For most people, a normal blood pressure is
less than 120/80 (120 over 80). Ask your doctor what your blood pressure should be.
Causes Of Chronic Kidney Disease
High blood pressure (hypertension) and diabetes are the most common causes of kidney disease. The evidence indicates that high blood pressure causes just over a quarter of all cases of kidney failure.
Diabetes has been established as the cause of around a quarter of all cases.
High blood pressure
Blood pressure is a measure of the pressure your heart generates in your arteries with each pulse. Too much pressure can damage your body's organs, leading to heart
disease, stroke and worsening of kidney function.
The cause of around 90% of cases of high blood pressure is unknown, although there appears to be a link between the condition and a person’s general health, diet, and
lifestyle.
Known risk factors for high blood pressure include:
+age (the risk of developing high
blood pressure increases as you
get older)
+family history of high blood
pressure (the condition seems to
run in families)
+lack of exercise
+smoking
+excessive alcohol consumption
+high amount of salt in your diet
+high-fat diet
+stress
Hypertension causes damage by putting strain on the small blood vessels in the kidneys. This prevents the filtering process from working properly.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition in which the body produces no – or too little – insulin.
Insulin is needed to regulate levels of
glucose (sugar) in your blood, preventing the levels going too high after a meal and too low between meals.
If diabetes is poorly controlled, too much glucose can build up in your blood. The glucose can damage the tiny filters in the kidneys, which affects the ability of your kidneys to filter out waste products and
fluids.
It is estimated that 20-40% of people with type 1 diabetes will develop kidney disease before they reach 50 years of age. Around 30% of people with type 2 diabetes also show signs of developing kidney damage.
The first sign of diabetic kidney disease is the appearance of low levels of protein in the urine.
All people with diabetes should have a kidney check every year. Early detection of kidney dysfunction in diabetes is important because it identifies people at risk or complications, such as eye problems and impotence.
Preventing Chronic Kidney Disease
In most cases, chronic kidney disease (CKD) cannot be completely prevented, although you can take steps to reduce the chances of the condition developing.
Managing your condition If you have a chronic (long-term) condition, such as diabetes, that could potentially
cause chronic kidney disease, it is
important it is carefully managed.
Smoking
Smoking increases your risk of
cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks or strokes, and it can increase the likelihood that any existing kidney problems will get worse. If you stop smoking, you will improve your general health and reduce your risk of developing other serious conditions, such as lung cancer and heart disease.
Diet
A healthy diet is important for preventing chronic kidney disease. It will lower the amount of cholesterol in your blood and keep your blood pressure at a healthy level. Eat a balanced diet that includes plenty of
fresh fruit and vegetables and whole grains. Limit the amount of salt in your diet to no more than 6g (0.2oz) a day. Too much salt will increase your blood pressure. One teaspoonful of salt is equal to about 6g. Avoid eating foods high in saturated fat because this will increase your cholesterol level.
Foods high in saturated fat include:
meat pies, sausages and fatty cuts of meat, butter, hard cheese, cakes and biscuits, foods that contain coconut oil or palm oil.
Eating some foods that are high in
unsaturated fat can help decrease your cholesterol level. Foods high in unsaturated fat include: oily fish, avocados, nuts and seeds, sunflower oil, rapeseed oil, olive oil
Alcohol
Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol will cause your blood pressure to rise, as well as raising cholesterol levels in your blood.
Therefore, sticking to the recommended alcohol consumption limits is the best way to reduce your risk of developing high blood pressure (hypertension) and CKD.
The recommended limits for alcohol are:
3-4 units of alcohol a day for men
2-3 units of alcohol a day for women
A unit of alcohol is equal to about half a pint of normal strength lager, a small glass of wine or a pub measure (25ml) of spirits.
Exercise
Regular exercise should help lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of developing CKD. At least 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) of moderate-intensity aerobic activity (such as cycling or fast walking) every week, is recommended.
Painkillers
Kidney disease can be caused by the
improper use (such as taking too many) of non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, such as aspirin and ibuprofen. If you need to take painkillers, make sure you follow the instructions. This can help to avoid kidney damage.
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