Renal Failure

Renal (kidney) failure can be either acute or chronic.

Acute kidney failure is when your kidneys suddenly stop working – as quick as within a few days – and is most common among hospitalized or critically ill patients. Dehydration, toxin exposure, blood flow restriction, and urinary tract obstruction can all contribute to acute kidney failure.

Chronic kidney failure occurs as the kidneys gradually lose the ability to remove waste and excess fluid from the blood. At its most advanced stages, it’s known as end-stage renal disease. There are numerous underlying conditions that can lead to chronic kidney failure, including diabetes, high blood pressure, glomerulonephritis, recurrent kidney infections, and prolonged urinary tract obstruction due to an enlarged prostate, kidney stones, cancer, and other causes.

Both types of kidney failure can be fatal if not timely and appropriately treated.

Most Common Causes of Renal Failure

After diabetes and high blood pressure – the most common causes of kidney failure – other causes generally fall into one of these three broad categories:

elder female during a dialysis
Conditions that slow blood flow to your kidneys

This may include:

  • Fluid or blood loss
  • Heart attack
  • Heart disease
  • Liver failure
  • Use of blood pressure medications
  • Certain infections

This may include:

  • Blood clots in the arteries and veins in and around your kidneys
  • Cholesterol deposits that block blood flow in your kidneys
  • Infections (including from the COVID-19 virus or its variants)
  • Certain medications, such as chemotherapy drugs
  • Rhabdomyolysis (serious breakdown of muscle tissue)

This may include:

  • Blood clots in the urinary tract
  • Kidney stones
  • Enlarged prostate
  • Cervical cancer
  • Colon cancer

Signs & Symptoms

Given that signs and symptoms of renal failure often appear late in the progression of the condition, you might not know you have kidney disease at all until the kidneys fail.

Some of the most common signs and symptoms of renal failure include:

  • Swelling in the feet, ankles, or legs (due to fluid retention)
  • Occasional decreased urine output
  • Fatigue
  • Shortness of breath
  • Nausea
  • Confusion
  • Weakness
  • Chest pain or pressure

Renal Failure Treatment

In most cases, kidney failure can’t be reversed or cured on its own. Extending your life means engaging in treatment that accomplishes the work usually performed by healthy kidneys. Treatment for acute and chronic kidney failure is the same: often, dialysis or a kidney transplant are required. Both have benefits, and while one may be the right fit for some patients, the other may be better for others. As you consider your treatment options, it’s important to remember you may need to make changes to your diet and the medications you take, in addition to either undergoing dialysis treatment or a kidney transplant.

Dialysis

With dialysis, a machine artificially removes extra fluid and waste products from your blood once your kidneys can no longer do so. Depending on the type of dialysis you need, you may be connected to a large machine or to a portable catheter bag. While dialysis can’t cure renal failure, it can extend your life as long as you attend your regularly scheduled treatments.

Kidney Transplant

With a kidney transplant, a healthy kidney from a donor is surgically placed into your body to take over the job of the nonfunctioning kidney. It is the only way to cure renal failure. A transplanted kidney will work exactly like a normal kidney and will remove the need for continued dialysis. The wait to receive a donor's kidney is usually very long, however, so it’s best to use a living donor, if possible.

Kidney Failure Treatment in Brockton & Taunton, MA

At Associates in Nephrology in Brockton & Taunton, Massachusetts, providing top-quality, compassionate kidney care is our No. 1 priority. If you’ve been diagnosed with kidney disease, we know it can be tough to really understand your condition and choose the treatment option that’s right for you. Our doctors are leaders in kidney disease diagnosis and management – and they work closely with you and your loved ones so that you feel comfortable and confident every step of the way along your healthcare journey.

To keep your kidneys as healthy as possible, schedule an evaluation or consultation with our doctors today by calling Associates in Nephrology at (508) 587-0700 or request an appointment now.