Kidneys Have Lots Of Reserve But Getting Ahead Of Small Decreases In Function Prevents Later Damage
You often hear older people say I have weak kidneys. That doesn’t mean they can’t do their job or are destined to fail. But it does indicate you have some form of chronic kidney disease. The kidneysthe body’s blood-filtering urine factoryhave less capacity to filter toxins from the blood and excrete them in the urine.
Half of U.S. adults over 75 may have below-normal kidney function. Most of them will never get sick from it, unless they have other conditions such as diabetes or uncontrolled hypertension, or take medications that can injure the kidney.
Reasons For Having One Kidney
Again, most people are born with two working kidneys.But sometimes, just one kidney works. And some people are born with only one kidney.
The reasons for this may vary and can include:
- Renal agenesis a condition where someone is born with only one kidney.
- Kidney dysplasia a condition where someone is born with two kidneys but only one of them works.
- Kidney removal certain diseases may require you to actually have one of your kidneys removed.
- Living-donor kidney transplant you can donate one of your kidneys to a person who needs a kidney transplant.
Can You Die From Not Peeing
Your chances of dying from holding in pee are very, very low. Some doctors might even say its nonexistent. In general, your bladder will release involuntarily long before youre in physical danger.
In rare scenarios, a person may hold their pee for so long that when its time to finally release urine, they arent able to do it. This can result in a burst bladder. If your bladder were to burst, you would need medical attention immediately. A burst bladder is a life-threatening condition.
When you hold your urine in for days at a time, youre exposing your body to harmful bacteria thats meant to be released. This can lead to a UTI, which can escalate to all sorts of complications, including Again, this is the exception, not the rule.
Most people can hold their pee occasionally for several hours at a time and be just fine.
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What Health Problems Can People With Kidney Disease Develop
Kidney disease can lead to other health problems. Your health care team will work with you to help you avoid or manage:
High blood pressure. High blood pressure can be both a cause and a result of kidney disease. High blood pressure damages your kidneys, and damaged kidneys dont work as well to help control your blood pressure. With kidney failure, your kidneys cant get rid of extra water. Taking in too much water can cause swelling, raise your blood pressure, and make your heart work harder.
Blood pressure-lowering medicines, limiting sodium and fluids in your diet, staying physically active, managing stress, and quitting smoking can help you control your blood pressure.
Heart disease. Kidney disease and heart disease share two of the same main causes: diabetes and high blood pressure. People with kidney disease are at high risk for heart disease, and people with heart disease are at high risk for kidney disease.
The steps that you take to manage your kidney disease, blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose will also help you prevent heart attacks or strokes.
Anemia. When kidneys are damaged, they dont make enough erythropoietin , a hormone that helps make red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen from your lungs to other parts of your body. When you have anemia, some organssuch as your brain and heartmay get less oxygen than they need and may not function as well as they should. Anemia can make you feel weak and lack energy.
How Do I Adjust To Kidney Failure
Learning that you have kidney failure can come as a shock, even if you have known for a long time that your kidneys were not working well. Having to change your lifestyle to make time for your treatments can make coping with this new reality even harder. You may have to stop working or find new ways to exercise. You may feel sad or nervous. All is not lost. You can get help to feel better and have a fulfilling life. Learn more about mental health and how to get help.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Kidney Failure
Symptoms of kidney failure may begin so slowly that you dont notice them right away.
Healthy kidneys prevent the buildup of wastes and extra fluid in your body and balance the salts and minerals in your bloodsuch as calcium, phosphorus, sodium, and potassium. Your kidneys also make hormones that help control blood pressure, make red blood cells, and keep your bones strong.
Kidney failure means your kidneys no longer work well enough to do these jobs and, as a result, other health problems develop. As your kidney function goes down, you may
- have swelling, usually in your legs, feet, or ankles
- get headaches
- feel itchy
- feel tired during the day and have sleep problems at night
- feel sick to your stomach, lose your sense of taste, not feel hungry, or lose weight
- make little or no urine
- have muscle cramps, weakness, or numbness
- have pain, stiffness, or fluid in your joints
- feel confused, have trouble focusing, or have memory problems
Following your treatment plan can help you avoid or address most of these symptoms. Your treatment plan may include regular dialysis treatments or a kidney transplant, a special eating plan, physical activity, and medicines.
Tips For Managing End
There are several different ways you can help a loved one manage their end-stage kidney failure symptoms. Perhaps the most valuable thing you can do is listen to your loved one and try as best you can to address their issues. However, if at any time you are unsure of how you can help, or if the patient is unable to communicate effectively, we recommend contacting their primary care physician.
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What Is Stage 5 Kidney Disease
At Stage 5 CKD, your eGFR is at 15 ml/min or less, and you are about to be in or are in kidney failure. When your kidneys fail, waste builds up in your blood, since your kidneys have lost their ability to function. Moreover, the other functions the kidney performs will no longer happen, including:
- Regulating blood pressure
- Producing the hormone that contributes to making red blood cells
- Activating vitamin D to maintain good bone health
This stage of kidney disease will make you feel quite sick, and dialysis and/or a kidney transplant will be necessary to live.
What Is Creatinine And Why Does It Matter
Creatinine is a waste product of the body and is produced mainly through muscle activity. Its normal for everyone to have some creatinine present in their blood. But it cant just stay there.Like other waste products, the creatinine in your bloodstream has to be removed. This is a job for your kidneys: they filter creatinine out from your blood and excrete it from the body in urine.By measuring the amount of creatinine found in someones body, doctors can get an idea of how well their kidneys are functioning. The special thing about creatinine is that it is produced at a constant rate, and filtered almost freely by the kidneys. This means that the creatinine in your body is at an equilibrium. When the kidneys are damaged, they filter waste materials less efficiently. This means the amount of creatinine in the blood usually increases.Think of it this way. When you run the tap of a kitchen sink without plugging the drain, a small layer of water will collect. But the sink will not flow over. However, when you partially plug the drain, the water level will rise. It will continue to rise until a new, higher equilibrium is reached. Your muscles are like the tap, the kidneys are like the drain and the creatinine levels in your blood are like the water. If your kidneys become damaged, the creatinine starts to increase.
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Is It Possible To Live Without Kidneys
Although kidneys are clearly important for survival, they are not essential, and this is particularly true if only one kidney is present. Some people are born without one of their kidneys, a condition called renal agenesis. Some other people are born with renal dysplasia, in which two kidneys are present, but only one is functional.
While this can be worrying news for any new parent, most people with these conditions can live normal, healthy lives, as their bodies will adapt to the situation. In some instances, people will suffer a small loss of kidney function as they age, but this can take decades. Issues with hypertension are also relatively common in those with only one kidney.
However, the more common reason for only having one kidney is because the other kidney had to be removed. Through a surgical procedure known as a nephrectomy, all or part of a kidney can be removed, and this may be done for a variety of reasons. If you have suffered damage to your kidney, or if it has stopped working properly, you may be eligible for the surgery. Also, if you have cancer of the kidney, or are going to donate your kidney, then a nephrectomy may also be called for.
However, it is important to note that this is a major surgery, and complications can always arise. More advanced forms of a nephrectomy, including a laparascopic option that is less invasive, may also be used in some cases.
Kidney Today: You Were One Of The First Patients To Receive A Disaster Relief Grant From The American Kidney Fund How Has That Helped You
Ariel: It meant a lot just to be able to receive something after losing so much. To go from working hard and then to lose everything in an instant is really heartbreaking. Its very stressful and you just wonder what youre going to do now. The grant was very helpful. Even though this happened, you still have bills you have to pay. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart. That money means so much to a lot of us.
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What Can I Expect If I Have Kidney Disease
If you have kidney disease you can still live a productive home and work life and enjoy time with your family and friends. To have the best outcome possible, its important for you to become an active member of your treatment team.
Early detection and appropriate treatment are important in slowing the disease process, with the goal of preventing or delaying kidney failure. You will need to keep your medical appointments, take your medications as prescribed, stick to a healthy diet and monitor your blood pressure and blood sugar.
How Is Kidney Failure Diagnosed
Doctors use a variety of tests to measure kidney function and diagnose kidney failure. If your doctors suspect you may be at risk for kidney failure, they may recommend:
- Blood tests, which can show how well the kidneys are removing waste from the blood.
- Advanced imaging, which can show kidney abnormalities or obstructions .
- Urine tests, which measure the amount of urine or specific substances in the urine, such as protein or blood.
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Can Dialysis Be Temporary
If you have ESRD, you will need to have dialysis treatments for the rest of your life, unless you are able to get a kidney transplant.
If you have acute kidney failure, you may only need dialysis for a short time until your kidneys get better. Acute kidney failure is when your kidneys stop working suddenly for a short period of time . After treatment for acute kidney failure, your kidneys may work normally.
How Long Does Ckd Take To Progress
The short, and unsatisfying, answer to this question isit depends. It can be difficult to determine which indicators will be accurate across the board because individual studies can only examine a certain number of factors at one time. They also generally look at very specific combinations. Collectively, however, these studies provide small pieces that help fill out the larger picture over time.
Chronic kidney disease progression has been studied extensively, but the majority of studies have focused on the causes of kidney function decline and the likelihood of CKD to progress to end-stage renal disease not necessarily the speed of that progression.
This infographic is by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
The goal of accurately, consistently predicting the speed of chronic kidney disease progression remains at the forefront of CKD research. Findings show that the rate is influenced by many factors and can vary widely, particularly in later stages of the disease.
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How Will I Pay For Dialysis
Medicare, Medicaid, and many private insurance plans cover most of the costs of dialysis. Most people on dialysis are able to get Medicare coverage at any age. Depending on the type of treatment you choose, you may have to wait a few months before your insurance coverage begins. You may also need to pay some out-of-pocket costs, such as deductibles or copays. Learn more about Medicare coverage of dialysis.
If you are living with kidney failure and are unable to afford your treatment-related expenses, the American Kidney Fund may be able to help too. Patients who demonstrate financial need may apply for assistance through AKFs grant programs. Learn more about financial assistance available through AKF. If you have questions about the cost of dialysis, call your insurance company or ask your social worker.
Kidney Failure In Elderly And How Long To Live Without Dialysis
As we age, our body goes through a series of anatomic as well as functional changes. These changes occur in all the major organs including heart, lungs and kidneys. There have been many studies conducted on kidney failure in elderly.
As a person ages, the changes in the kidney and its functions is quite dramatic. And, it is quite common for kidney failure in elderly occur. One of the most common kidney failures seen in elderly is acute renal failure, also known as ARF. Once the kidneys fail, the only recourse available for an elderly person is dialysis or kidney transplantation.
However, when there id kidney failure in elderly, many of them do not want to have dialysis. So, how long can an elderly live without dialysis? Well it all depends on how severe the kidney damage is. If the elderly person is passing fair amount of urine, he can live without dialysis for 2 to 6 weeks. However, if the person is passing little or no urine, then the survival rate decreases dramatically to 10 to 14 days.
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What Is The Long
Advancements allow people with ESRD to live longer than ever before. ESRD can be life-threatening. With treatment, youll likely live for many years afterward. Without treatment, you may only be able to survive without your kidneys for a few months. If you have other accompanying conditions, such as heart issues, you may face additional complications that can affect your life expectancy.
It can be easy to withdraw as you experience the effects of ESRD or the lifestyle changes that come with dialysis. If this happens, seek professional counseling or positive support from your family and friends. They can help you stay actively engaged in your daily life. This can ensure that you maintain a high quality of life.
Home Remedies For Swollen Kidneys
Renal diet: Adhering to a kidney conscious diet can help ensure sufficient energy is produced and the prevention of bodily tissue breakdown. Components of such a diet include:
- Healthy carbohydrates fruits, vegetables, grains
- Canola oil and olive oil help provide healthy fats, helping to protect the arteries
- Low-protein diets depending on the recommendations by your doctor and if you currently require dialysis. Healthy fats, fish, eggs, pork, and poultry.
Foods to avoid: Patients with kidney problems often require limitations on the amount of fluids obtained and of particular foods that may lead to problems if eaten in excess. In particular, high phosphorous containing foods, such as proteins, can lead to a condition called hyperphosphatemia. It is recommended for patients with kidney problems to limit dietary phosphorus to 1,000mg per day.
The following are some home remedies for hydronephrosis that may be useful for treating the condition. However, it is advised to speak to your doctor before beginning any alternative types of therapy for kidney problems.
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How Long Can You Live With Stage 5 Ckd
- If you choose to start dialysis treatment, stage 5 kidney disease life expectancy is five to 10 years on average, though many patients have lived well on dialysis for 20 or even 30 years, according to the National Kidney Foundation .
- If you have a kidney transplant, average, a living donor kidney can function anywhere between 12 to 20 years, and a deceased donor kidney can improve quality of life for 8 to 12 years, as stated by Donate Life America, a nonprofit organization dedicated to organ, eye, and tissue donation.
What Is Kidney Transplantation
Kidney transplantation involves placing a healthy kidney into your body where it can perform all of the functions that a failing kidney cant. Kidneys for transplantation come from two sources: living donors and deceased donors. Living donors are usually immediate family members or sometimes spouses. This is possible because a person can live well with one healthy kidney.
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