Saturday, May 26, 2012

Chronic renal failure

Table of Contents

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When loss of kidney function becomes more severe, you will need to prepare for dialysis or a kidney transplant.

  • When you start dialysis depends on different factors, including your lab test results, severity of symptoms, and readiness.
  • You should begin to prepare for dialysis before it is absolutely necessary. The preparation includes learning about dialysis and the types of dialysis therapies, and placement of a dialysis access.
  • Even those who are candidates for a kidney transplant will need dialysis while waiting for a kidney to become available.

Support Groups

See: Kidney disease - support group


Expectations (prognosis)

Many people are not diagnosed with chronic kidney disease until they have lost much of their kidney function.

There is no cure for chronic kidney disease. Untreated, it usually progresses to end-stage renal disease. Lifelong treatment may control the symptoms of chronic kidney disease.


Complications
  • Anemia
  • Bleeding from the stomach or intestines
  • Bone, joint, and muscle pain
  • Changes in blood sugar
  • Damage to nerves of the legs and arms (peripheral neuropathy)
  • Dementia
  • Fluid buildup around the lungs (pleural effusion)
  • Heart and blood vessel complications
    • Congestive heart failure
    • Coronary artery disease
    • High blood pressure
    • Pericarditis
    • Stroke
  • High phosphorous levels
  • High potassium levels
  • Hyperparathyroidism
  • Increased risk of infections
  • Liver damage or failure
  • Malnutrition
  • Miscarriages and infertility
  • Seizures
  • Weakening of the bones and increased risk of fractures

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Review Date: 08/12/2009
Reviewed By: Parul Patel, MD, Private practice specializing in Nephrology and Kidney and Pancreas Transplantation, Affiliated with California Medical Center, Department of Transplantation, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)