Kidney failure
Consequences of kidney failure
When the kidneys fail, the whole body suffers. As the organs’ ability to filter the blood begins to fail, an excessive amount of protein is often excreted through the urine. The body then lacks this protein. In addition, edemas (retained water) can form in the legs or lungs. In many cases, an insufficient amount of toxins is also removed. These then collect in the blood and can damage other organs. Problems in the digestive tract can appear and even lead to bleeding ulcers. The toxins can even disturb the rhythm of the heart or lead to infection in the pericardium (heart sac). Nervous system disorders have also been observed.
Acute and chronic kidney failure
Doctors differentiate between two types of kidney failure. Acute kidney failure is often caused by a temporary disturbance in the circulation of the blood through the kidneys, usually due to blood loss during surgery or a serious accident. The primary causes of chronic kidney failure include diabetes, high blood pressure and kidney infections.
The number of renal patients is increasing worldwide
The number of patients with chronic kidney disease grows five to six percent each year. This is primarily due to a longer life span, which increases the chance of kidney disease. In addition, the treatment of kidney patients in many developing countries is improving. The constantly increasing rates of high blood pressure and diabetes – the main causes of chronic kidney failure – also play a role.
For more information about kidney patient care, please visit the UltraCare website of Fresenius Medical Care North America.