How Low Is Low
A healthy kidney filters wastes from the blood at a rate of 90 milliliters per minute or more. This is known as the glomerular filtration rate, or GFR. With time, many men’s kidneys start to slip, but function must decline quite a lot before you start to really feel the impact. You feel fine up to the point that kidney function is almost gone, which means you can lead a normal life with reduced kidney function.
On the other hand, lack of early warning from symptoms can deny you the chance to slow the slide. Most people don’t start feeling really ill until kidney function is under 10%.
Procedures And Low Kidney Function
Diet modification and medications can help delay the progression of chronic kidney disease, especially in the early stages. If the disease progresses, however, other forms of treatment may become necessary.
Other forms of treatment may include:
- Blood transfusions: Hormone and iron supplements are not always enough to manage the symptoms of anemia. In those cases, your doctor may order one or more blood transfusions.
- Dialysis: Dialysis is an artificial method of removing wastes, toxins, and excess fluids from your blood when your kidneys cease to function. There are two types of dialysis: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.
- With hemodialysis, your blood is filtered through a machine to be cleansed of impurities and then returned to your body.
- With peritoneal dialysis, a thin tube is inserted into your abdomen, which you fill with a solution that absorbs wastes and extra fluids. After a specified period of time, the solution is drained, and the wastes are removed.
What Is Established Kidney Failure
As described in the previous section, doctors divide chronic kidney disease into five stages, based on the kidney function shown by your blood tests. If your blood tests show kidney function of 15 percent or less, this is called chronic kidney disease stage 5, also known as established kidney failure. You may also hear it called end stage kidney failure.
If you have established kidney failure, you may get symptoms because of waste building up in your blood. But this doesnt happen to everyone. You may not get symptoms until your kidney function is much lower than 15 percent.
3
Read Also: What Is The Functional Unit Of The Kidneys
What Is Kidney Disease
Having kidney disease means that there is damage to your kidneys and they arent working as well as they should. Kidney disease is called chronic because kidney function slowly gets worse over time. Kidney disease leads to kidney failure, which is also called end-stage kidney disease. At this point, youll need dialysis or a kidney transplant.
Stage 5gfr Of 15 Ml/min Or Less
Patients at Stage 5 have chronic CKD. They have a GFR of 15 mL/min or less and have End Stage Renal Disease .The kidneys have lost almost all ability to function effectively at this stage. They will need dialysis or a kidney transplant to live.
Our kidney specialists can work with you to provide individualized evaluation and treatment, taking into consideration your GFR and other factors.;To learn more;or schedule an appointment at one of our clinics call 412-802-3043 or toll free 1-800-533-UPMC .
You should discuss this result with your kidney specialist.
You May Like: How To Know If You Have Bad Kidneys
Can I Keep Working With Kidney Failure
Many people with kidney failure continue to work. KidneyWorks is a program to help people with kidney disease keep working. The program focuses on Americans with CKD whose kidneys have not yet failed or who are living with a transplant. If you are on dialysis, the information in the KidneyWorks paper may also provide tips to help you keep your job.
The Americans with Disabilities Act means that an employer cant legally fire you just because youre on dialysis or have had a kidney transplant. The law requires an employer to make reasonable changes to the workplace for a person with a disability. For example, your employer may give you lighter physical jobs or schedule your work hours around your dialysis sessions. If youre on peritoneal dialysis, youll need space and time to change the dialysis solution in the middle of the work day. Most employers can make these adjustments.
If your employer isnt willing to meet your needs, your dialysis clinics renal social worker may be able to help find a way to satisfy both you and your employer.
Improving Your Kidney Function Can Be Simple
So you see for many, improving kidney function doesnt need to be difficult. In most cases, simply by stepping to the side and getting out of your own way, checking your thoughts, fears, and excuses at the door, you can catalyse massive changes in your health, by simply allowing the healing to take place.
Rubbing Lanterns Wont Help Improve Your Kidney Function, But Heres What Can
Now stay with me I am not saying that that you can cure all by thinking just happy thoughts, wishing, and getting out of the way, no definitely not. There are many practical things you can do every day, with little to no fuss that are very effective in helping increase kidney function. Very helpful indeed.
Note: thinking positive however sure wont hurt, in fact it will go a long way; your mindset is the single biggest determining factor on how quickly you heal.
So in tune with todays theme of simplicity, I would like to share with you 10 effortless tips that can be applied immediately to help your kidney function, no need to leave home, and no need to spend a dime.
Don’t Miss: What Will Dissolve Calcium Kidney Stones
Whats The Prognosis For Stage 4 Kidney Disease
Theres no cure for stage 4 chronic kidney disease. The goal of treatment is to prevent kidney failure and maintain a good quality of life.
In 2012, researchers found that men and women with low kidney function, especially less than 30 percent, had substantially reduced life expectancy.
They noted that women tend to have longer life expectancy in all stages of kidney disease except stage 4, where theres only a slight difference by gender. Prognosis tends to be poorer with age.
- At 40 years old, life expectancy is about 10.4 years for men and 9.1 years for women.
- At 60 years old, life expectancy is about 5.6 years for men and 6.2 years for women.
- At 80 years old, life expectancy is about 2.5 years for men and 3.1 years for women.
Your individual prognosis also depends on co-existing conditions and what treatments you get. Your healthcare provider can give you a better idea of what to expect.
More Questions About Low Kidney Function
Here are some questions patients with 20;percent;kidney function or low kidney;function;often tent;to ask.
1. Can I Exercise?
Yes, you can, as long as you follow an exercise program that is approved by your doctor to increase your strength and endurance. Exercise can also help reduce stress, depression and fatigue and can improve your quality of living.
2. Can I Travel?
Yes, you can, as long as your trip is included with arrangements for dialysis in the area you are visiting, medications you should take, and notifying the hospital staff how to reach you if you are on a transplant waiting list.
3. Will I Still Be Sexually Active?
Your desire for sexual activity may be lower as well as your interest in social activities. Inability to maintain penile erection is common among patients with low kidney function or kidney failure. However, many kidney transplant recipients become more sexually active as their kidney function improves.
Watch this video to learn more about how to live and cope with low kidney function:
Don’t Miss: Can You Live With Kidney Failure
Questions To Ask Your Doctor About Stage 5 Kidney Disease
- What can I expect from kidney failure treatment? There are several treatment options to help people with kidney failure feel their best and live a full life. Whether it’s a kidney transplant, dialysis at home, or dialysis in a center, your doctor can help you decide which treatment best fits your lifestyle.
- Am I a candidate for a kidney transplant? If so, what do I need to do? Your best chance for a successful transplant depends on certain factors. Talk to your nephrologist to see if you are a candidate. It’s a good idea to start the planning process and begin searching for a kidney donor as soon as possible.
- How do I manage a dialysis schedule if I am working? Your nephrologist will work with you to find a treatment schedule that aligns with your health needs and lifestyle. Home peritoneal dialysis or home hemodialysis may give you the most flexibility.
- Do I need to make changes to any medications Im taking? If you’re living with diabetes or high blood pressure, your doctor may make adjustments to your medication. Make sure you discuss all medications, vitamins, and supplements you’re taking with your doctor, as some may need to be avoided.
How Long Do Hemodialysis Treatments Last
The time needed for your dialysis depends on:
- how well your kidneys work
- how much fluid weight you gain between treatments
- how much waste you have in your body
- how big you are
- the type of artificial kidney used
Usually, each hemodialysis treatment lasts about four hours and is done three times per week.
A type of hemodialysis called high-flux dialysis may take less time. You can speak to your doctor to see if this is an appropriate treatment for you.
Don’t Miss: Can Pepsi Cause Kidney Stones
Control Other Health Problems
You may have other disorders, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, which can damage your kidneys. One of the goals of your treatment is to make sure these are well-controlled. Ask your healthcare professional what you can do to keep these conditions under control – and do it! Some of the things your healthcare professional may ask you to do:
- Take medications called angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers as part of your therapy. Studies have shown that these medications help to protect your kidney function. You may also need other blood pressure medications to control your blood pressure.
- Lose weight if you are overweight
- Cut down on salt in your diet to control blood pressure
- If you have diabetes, monitor your blood sugar, follow your diet and take your medications as prescribed
Is A Kidney Transplant An Option
If kidney failure occurs and is non-reversible, kidney transplantation is an alternative option to dialysis. If the patient is an appropriate candidate, the healthcare professional and nephrologist will contact an organ transplant center to arrange evaluation to see whether the patient is suitable for this treatment. If so, the search for a donor begins. Sometimes, family members have compatible tissue types and, if they are willing, may donate a kidney. Otherwise, the patient will be placed on the organ transplant list that is maintained by the United Network of Organ Sharing.
Not all hospitals are capable of performing kidney transplants. The patient may have to travel to undergo their operation. The most successful programs are those that do many transplants every year.
While kidney transplants have become routine, they still carry some risk. The patient will need to take anti-rejection medications that reduce the ability of the immune system to fight infection. The body can try to reject the kidney or the transplanted kidney may fail to work. As with any operation, there is a risk of bleeding and infection.
Kidney transplants may provide better quality of life than dialysis. After one year, 95% of transplanted kidneys are still functioning and after five years, the number is 80%. It seems that the longer a patient is on dialysis, the shorter the life of the transplanted kidney.
Don’t Miss: Does Kidney Disease Make You Tired
What Do High Creatinine Levels Mean
Creatinine is a waste product that is produced by your muscles. It is typically removed through the kidneys. Healthy kidneys filter creatinine out of your blood, and it leaves your body through urine. Your doctors can measure the amount of creatinine in your blood and in your urine to get an idea of how well your kidneys are working. This measurement is called creatinine clearance.;Having high creatinine levels probably isnt harmful on its own, though it can be a marker of other health conditionsincluding chronic kidney disease . A serum creatinine blood test, along with factors such as age, weight, and medical history, can help doctors understand how well your kidneys are functioning and whether there may be an issue.
Can You Change Treatments For Kidney Failure
If you start on one type of treatment for kidney failure but feel you would like to try something else, you can speak to your healthcare professional about changing. For most people, it is often possible to change treatments. For example, if you choose hemodialysis, it doesn’t mean you can’t switch to peritoneal dialysis at a later date. Even if you choose to have a kidney transplant, you may need a period of dialysis until you can be transplanted with a new kidney. It is not uncommon for people who have had kidney failure for many years to have had more than one type of treatment in that time.
Don’t Miss: Does Kidney Infection Cause Blood In Urine
What Is Stage 4 Kidney Disease
Stage 1 and stage 2 are considered early-stage chronic kidney disease. The kidneys arent working at 100 percent, but they still work well enough that you might not have symptoms.
By stage 3, youve lost about half of kidney function, which can lead to more serious problems.
If you have stage 4 kidney disease, it means your kidneys have experienced severe damage. You have a glomerular filtration rate, or GFR, of 1529 ml/min. Thats the amount of blood your kidneys can filter per minute.
GFR is determined by measuring the amount of creatinine, a waste product, in your blood. The formula also takes age, sex, ethnicity, and body size into account. The kidneys are functioning at 1529 percent of normal.
GFR may not be accurate in certain circumstances, such as if you:
- are pregnant
Other tests that help determine the stage are:
- bloods tests to look for other waste products
- blood glucose
- urine test to look for the presence of blood or protein
- blood pressure
- imaging tests to check the structure of the kidneys
Stage 4 is the last stage before kidney failure, or stage 5 kidney disease.
In stage 4, symptoms may include:
- fluid retention
If your potassium levels get too high , it can affect your hearts ability to function.
Other potential complications include:
If youre pregnant, kidney disease can increase risks to you and to your baby.
Is Kidney Failure Permanent
Usually, but not always. Some kinds of acute kidney failure, also known as acute renal failure, get better after treatment. In some cases of acute kidney failure, dialysis may only be needed for a short time until the kidneys get better.
In chronic or end stage kidney failure, your kidneys do not get better and you will need dialysis for the rest of your life. If your doctor says you are a candidate, you may choose to be placed on a waiting list for a new kidney.
Read Also: Is Lemon Suitable For Kidney Patient
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.
Stage 5: Gfr < 15ml/min Kidney Failure
End stage renal disease is the final stage of chronic kidney disease , also known as kidney failure. This occurs when the kidneys function below 10-15 percent and is often a result of years of chronic kidney disease. After being diagnosed with ESRD, it is important to decide what treatment option you will use, such as home dialysis, incenter hemodialysis, transplantation, or palliative care.
Recommended Reading: Do Multivitamins Cause Kidney Stones
What If My Kidneys Fail
Some people live with kidney disease for years and are able to maintain kidney function. Others progress quickly to kidney failure.
Kidney failure means that your kidneys have lost most of their ability to functionless than 15 percent of normal kidney function. If your kidney function drops to this level, you may have symptoms from the buildup of waste products and extra water in your body.
To replace your lost kidney function, you may have one of three treatment options:
How To Treat Low Kidney Function
Although there is no cure for chronic kidney disease , your doctor can work with you to treat and manage your existing symptoms, reduce underlying issues, and find ways to slow down disease progression. Some of the treatments are universal, while others depend upon the stage of CKD you are in.
A healthy diet and lifestyle combined with appropriate medications for symptom control is the most common treatment for kidney disease in its early stages. Renal replacement therapy, such as dialysis or a kidney transplant, is reserved for end-stage kidney disease .
Don’t Miss: Is Celery Juice Good For Kidneys