end stage renal disease

End-stage renal disease





End-stage kidney disease, also called end-stage kidney disease, occurs when chronic kidney disease (the gradual loss of kidney function) reaches an advanced stage. In kidney disease in the final stage, the kidneys can no longer function as they should to meet the needs of the body.

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The kidneys filter waste and excess fluid from the blood, which is then excreted in the urine. When the kidneys lose their filtering capacity, dangerous levels of fluids, electrolytes and waste can accumulate in the body.

If you have a kidney disease in the final stage, you need dialysis or a kidney transplant to be able to live. You can also choose not to undergo dialysis or transplant and receive pharmacological care to control the symptoms in order to achieve the best possible quality of life for the time you live.

Medical care in case of end-stage renal disease in Mayo Clinic
symptom

In the early stage of chronic kidney disease, you may not have signs or symptoms. As this disease progresses to the terminal stage, the following signs and symptoms may appear:

    Sickness
    Vomiting
    Loss of appetite
    Tiredness and weakness
    Problems sleeping
    Changes in the amount of urine
    Decreased mental agility
    Muscle cramps or jerks
    Swelling in the feet and ankles
    Persistent itching
    Chest pain, if fluid builds up around the lining of the heart
    Difficulty breathing, if fluid builds up in the lungs
    High blood pressure (hypertension) that is difficult to control

Often, the signs and symptoms of kidney disease are not specific, which means they can also be caused by other diseases. Because the kidneys can adapt and compensate for lost function, the signs and symptoms may not manifest until irreversible damage has occurred.
When to consult with the doctor

Ask for a consultation with your doctor if you have signs or symptoms of kidney disease.

If you have a condition that increases your risk of kidney disease, your doctor may monitor your blood pressure and kidney function through blood and urine tests during regular consultations. Ask the doctor if you need to do these tests.
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Causes

    Illustration showing a normal kidney compared to a diseased kidney
    Normal kidney compared to a diseased kidney

    Polycystic kidney compared to a normal kidney
    Polycystic kidney

Kidney disease occurs when a disease or condition impairs kidney function, causing damage to the kidney to get worse for several months or years.

Diseases and conditions that can lead to kidney disease include:

    Diabetes type 1 or 2
    High blood pressure
    Glomerulonephritis, an inflammation of the filtering units of the kidneys (glomeruli)
    Interstitial nephritis, an inflammation of the tubules of the kidney and the surrounding structures
    Polycystic kidney disease
    Prolonged obstruction of the urinary tract due to conditions such as dilated prostate, kidney stones and some types of cancer
    Vesicoureteral reflux, a condition that causes urine to return to the kidneys
    Recurrent kidney infection, also called pyelonephritis


Risk factor's

Some factors increase the risk that chronic kidney disease progresses more rapidly to end-stage renal disease, for example, the following:

    Diabetes with little control of blood glucose
    Kidney disease that affects the glomeruli, the structures of the kidneys that filter the waste of the blood
    Polycystic kidney disease
    Kidney disease after a kidney transplant
    High blood pressure
    Tobacco use
    African-American origin
    Male sex
    Advanced adulthood
    Low level of kidney function when your doctor begins to measure kidney function for the first time

Complications

Kidney damage, once it occurs, can not be reversed. Possible complications can affect any part of the body and may include:

    Fluid retention, which causes swelling of arms and legs, high blood pressure or fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema)
    A sudden increase in potassium levels in the blood (hyperkalemia) that can impair heart function and can be life-threatening
    Heart and blood vessel disease (cardiovascular)
    Weak bones and increased risk of fractures
    Anemia
    Decreased sexual desire, erectile dysfunction or reduced fertility
    Damage to the central nervous system that can cause difficulty in concentration, changes in personality or seizures
    Decreased immune response that makes you more vulnerable to infection
    Pericarditis, an inflammation of the sac-shaped membrane that surrounds your heart (pericardium)
    Complications in pregnancy can involve risks for the mother and the developing fetus
    The irreversible damage to your kidneys (end-stage renal disease) ultimately requires both dialysis and a kidney transplant in order to survive

Prevention

If you have kidney disease, you may be able to delay your evolution if you make healthy changes in your lifestyle:

    If you need it, lose weight
    Stay active most days
    Eat nutritious, balanced and low sodium foods
    Check your blood pressure
    Take medications as prescribed
    Check your cholesterol every year
    Check your blood glucose
    Do not smoke or use tobacco products
    Get regular checks