About Chronic Kidney Disease
CKD is a condition in which the kidneys are damaged and cannot filter blood as well as they should. Because of this, excess fluid and waste from blood remain in the body and may cause other health problems, such as heart disease and stroke.
15% of US adults are estimated to have chronic kidney disease, that is about 37 million people.
Some other health consequences of CKD include:
- Anemia or low number of red blood cells
- Increased occurrence of infections
- Low calcium levels, high potassium levels, and high phosphorus levels in the blood
- Loss of appetite or eating less
- Depression or lower quality of life
CKD has varying levels of seriousness. It usually gets worse over time though treatment has been shown to slow progression. If left untreated, CKD can progress to kidney failure and early cardiovascular disease. When the kidneys stop working, dialysis or kidney transplant is needed for survival. Kidney failure treated with dialysis or kidney transplant is called end-stage renal disease . Learn more about ESRD.
Not all patients with kidney disease progress to kidney failure. To help prevent CKD and lower the risk for kidney failure, control risk factors for CKD, get tested yearly, make lifestyle changes, take medicine as needed, and see your health care team regularly.
When Is Treatment Needed
Your doctor will help you decide when you need to start treatment. The decision is based on:
- Your symptoms
- Other health problems you have
- How much kidney function you have left
- Your nutritional health
When it comes time to choose a treatment for kidney failure, the decision may often be stressful. Learning as much as you can about your options and talking with your healthcare team to choose a treatment plan that’s right for you will help you and your family feel better prepared to make this difficult decision. Each option has different advantages and disadvantages so it is important to learn as much as possible. What might be positive for one person might be a negative for someone else.
What Is The Best Treatment For Me
You should consider many things when choosing a treatment for kidney failure, including your lifestyle, your age, any other health problems you may have, and whether you have a friend or relative to help you. Your decision should be based on more than your medical history and your doctor’s opinion. It should also be based on what you and your family wants. Learning about your treatment choices will help you decide which one is best for you.
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Does Kidney Failure Cause Pain
Kidney failure in itself does not cause pain. However, the consequences of kidney failure may cause pain and discomfort in different parts of the body.
Amyloid proteins
Normal functioning kidneys filter amyloid from the blood stream. In kidney failure amyloid proteins in the blood rise, and can separate and clump together forming amyloid deposits into a variety of tissue and organs, including joints and tendons. This can result in symptoms of:
- Patients who are on dialysis may have discomfort when on the dialysis machine.
Underlying chronic disease pain
- Pain is often a consequence of the underlying chronic disease that led to kidney failure, for example:
- People with poorly controlled diabetes may develop diabetic neuropathy pain.
- People who have peripheral vascular disease also may have pain in their extremities, and may develop claudication .
What Are The Kidneys Where Are They Located
The kidneys play key roles in body function, not only by filtering the blood and getting rid of waste products, but also by balancing the electrolyte levels in the body, controlling blood pressure, and stimulating the production of red blood cells.
The kidneys are located in the abdomen toward the back, normally one on each side of the spine. They get their blood supply through the renal arteries directly from the aorta and send blood back to the heart via the renal veins to the vena cava.
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Explore Potential Treatment Options For Kidney Failure
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A kidney transplant is the best possible treatment option for patients with kidney failure. If you arent eligible for a kidney transplant, or if you are awaiting a kidney from a living or deceased donor, you will need dialysis.
When it comes to treating kidney failure with dialysis, you have certain options. From dialyzing at home to getting treated at a center, discover which one could better suit your lifestyle.
Will I Need To Take Medicines Or Follow A Special Diet
Most likely. Your healthcare team will work with you to develop a treatment plan that’s right for you. Your treatment plan may include taking medicines, restricting salt, limiting certain foods, getting exercise, and more. You will also need treatment for any other health problems you may have, including high blood pressure or diabetes.
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What Are The Basics About Kidney Transplant
Kidney transplant is surgery to place a healthy donor kidney into your body. A working, transplanted kidney does a better job filtering wastes and keeping you healthy than dialysis, but it still isnt a cure.
When you have a transplant, surgeons usually leave your old kidneys in place and connect the donated kidney to an artery and a vein in your groin. The surgeon also transplants the ureter from the donor to let urine flow from your new kidney into your bladder. The transplanted kidney takes over the job of filtering your blood.
Your body normally attacks anything it sees as foreign, so to keep your body from attacking the donor kidney, you will need to take immunosuppressants also called anti-rejection medicines. Like all strong medicines, anti-rejection medicines have side effects.
A transplant center can place you on the waiting list for a donor kidney if you have permanent kidney damage and your kidney function is 20 or less. While youre waiting for a kidney transplant, you may need to start dialysis.
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.
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What Is The Prognosis And Life Expectancy For Kidney Failure Can It Be Prevented
The outlook for kidney failure depends upon the underlying condition that caused it. Kidney function may return to normal, especially if it is due to an acute obstruction and that obstruction is relieved. Other causes of decreased kidney function leading to kidney failure are due to underlying disease and occur slowly over time.
Prevention is the best chance to maintain kidney function, and controlling high blood pressure and diabetes over a lifetime can decrease the potential for progressive kidney damage. Chronic kidney failure may be managed to help monitor electrolyte and waste product levels in the bloodstream. Major abnormalities can be life-threatening, and treatment options may be limited to dialysis or transplant.
When Your Child Has A Chronic Kidney Disease
Parents of kids who are diagnosed with a chronic kidney disease have many questions about what might happen next, how their child might feel, and what treatments are likely to be involved.
Four major areas of concern are blood pressure, diet, anemia , and growth. Kids may feel sick at times, need to take medicines, and watch what they eat and drink.
Read on to learn about treatments for kidney disease and what parents can do to help.
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What Treatments Are Available For Polycystic Kidney Disease
Kidney failure, also known as end-stage kidney disease, is a medical condition in which the kidneys are functioning at less than 15% of normal levels. Kidney failure is classified as either acute kidney failure, which develops rapidly and may resolve and chronic kidney failure, which develops slowly and can often be irreversible. Symptoms may include leg swelling, feeling tired, vomiting.
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Genetic factors: Certain genetic factors can cause kidney disease early in like. Polycystic kidney disease.
The goal of the treatment is to prevent further complications. So you may need.
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Polycystic Kidney Disease Surgical Treatment Dec 1, 2016. This case report presents 2 pediatric patients diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease and cystinuria requiring surgical treatment. May 05, 2021 · Chronic kidney disease is due to a gradual, and usually, permanent loss of the function of the kidney function. Chronic kidney disease may progress over time without any symptoms until the
This could be the case for those living with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease , a progressive.
What Questions Should I Ask About Hemodialysis
You may want to ask your health care provider these questions:
- Is hemodialysis the best treatment choice for me? Why?
- If Im treated at a dialysis center, can I go to the center of my choice?
- What should I look for in a dialysis center?
- Will my kidney doctor see me at the dialysis center?
- What does hemodialysis feel like?
- How will hemodialysis affect my ____ ?
- Is home hemodialysis available in my area? What type of training will I need? Who will train my partner and me?
- Will I be able to keep working? Can I have treatments at night? Will I be able to care for my children?
- How much should I exercise?
- Who do I contact if I have problems?
- Who will be on my health care team? How can the members of my health care team help me?
- If I do home hemodialysis, will my insurance pay for more than three sessions a week?
- Who can I talk with about finances, sex, or family concerns?
- Can I talk with someone who is on dialysis?
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Why Consider Natural Or Herbal Or Ayurveda Treatment For Kidney Failure
Ayurveda is an ancient science of treating body, mind, and soul. According to Ayurveda, any kind of disease triggers in the body by the blockage of certain specific channels named Doshas.
- The herbs that are used in the treatment are unrefined and highly effective in treating the kidney disease.
- Ayurveda works positively for eliminating any kind of kidney damage signs and revives the damaged kidney cells.
- Ayurvedic medicines are free of any side-effects unlike allopathic medicines.
- They not only cure the disease but have an overall positive effect on the body.
- The effect of Ayurvedic herbs on the kidneys is long-lasting and permanent.
- Natural Ayurveda is the best safe and securing treatment method.
What Is Kidney Failure
Kidney failure, also known as end-stage kidney disease, occurs when the kidneys are no longer able to adequately remove waste from your blood and control the level of fluid in your body. Kidney failure can happen suddenly or gradually. People with kidney failure need dialysis or a kidney transplant to stay alive.
If you have kidney disease, it does not mean that you will develop kidney failure. One in ten Australians aged 18 and over has at least one sign of chronic kidney disease, and over 23,000 Australians receive dialysis or a kidney transplant for kidney failure.
You can lose up to 90 per cent of your kidney function before experiencing symptoms. In many cases, the signs of disease arent noticed until the kidneys are close to failure.
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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.
Choosing A Treatment For Kidney Failure
In this section:
As your kidney disease gets worse, your health care provider may talk with you about preparing for kidney failure. Talking early with your provider about your treatment optionsand making a choice before you need any one of these treatmentshelps you take charge of your care. Treatment will help you feel better and live longer.
Understanding the treatment you choose and getting used to the idea that you need this treatment takes time. Each type of treatment has pros and cons. Your choice of treatment will have a big effect on your daily life. By learning about the differences among treatment options, you can choose the one that will be best for you. The more you know about the types of treatment, the better prepared you may be to make a choice.
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How Is Chronic Kidney Disease Treated
There is no cure for chronic kidney disease , but steps may be taken in early CKD to preserve a higher level of kidney function for a longer period of time. If you have reduced kidney function:
- Make and keep your regular healthcare provider / nephrologist visits.
- Keep your blood sugar under control .
- Avoid taking painkillers and other medications that may make your kidney disease worse.
- Keep your blood pressure levels under control.
- Consult a dietitian regarding useful changes in diet. Dietary changes may include limiting protein, eating foods that reduce blood cholesterol levels, and limiting sodium and potassium intake.
- Exercise/be active on most days of the week.
- Stay at a healthy weight.
What Are The Basics About Peritoneal Dialysis
You do peritoneal dialysis at home. Peritoneal dialysis uses the lining of your belly to filter wastes and extra fluid from your body. This lining, called the peritoneum, surrounds your abdominal cavity and replaces part of your kidney function.
Youll need to have minor surgery a few weeks before you start peritoneal dialysis. A doctor will place a soft tube, called a catheter, in your belly. The catheter stays in your belly permanently. When you start peritoneal dialysis, youll empty a kind of salty water, called dialysis solution, from a plastic bag through the catheter into your belly. When the bag is empty, you can disconnect your catheter from the bag so you can move around and do your normal activities. While the dialysis solution is inside your belly, it soaks up wastes and extra fluid from your body. After a few hours, you drain the used dialysis solution through another tube into a drain bag. You can throw away the used dialysis solution, now filled with wastes and extra fluid, in a toilet or tub. Then you start over with a fresh bag of dialysis solution. The process of emptying the used dialysis solution and refilling your belly with fresh solution is called an exchange.
You can choose which type of peritoneal dialysis will best fit your life.
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Kidney Failure Definition And Facts
- Kidneys are the organs that filter waste products from the blood. They are also involved in regulating blood pressure, electrolyte balance, and red blood cell production in the body.
- Symptoms of kidney failure are due to the build-up of waste products and excess fluid in the body that may cause weakness, shortness of breath, lethargy, swelling, and confusion. Inability to remove potassium from the bloodstream may lead to abnormal heart rhythms and sudden death. Initially kidney failure may cause no symptoms.
- There are numerous causes of kidney failure, and treatment of the underlying disease may be the first step in correcting the kidney abnormality.
- Some causes of kidney failure are treatable and the kidney function may return to normal. Unfortunately, kidney failure may be progressive in other situations and may be irreversible.
- The diagnosis of kidney failure usually is made by blood tests measuring BUN, creatinine, and glomerular filtration rate .
- Treatment of the underlying cause of kidney failure may return kidney function to normal. Lifelong efforts to control blood pressure and diabetes may be the best way to prevent chronic kidney disease and its progression to kidney failure. As we age, kidney function gradually decreases over time.
- If the kidneys fail completely, the only treatment options available may be dialysis or transplant.
What Are The Pros And Cons Of Capd And Automated Peritoneal Dialysis
With either CAPD or automated peritoneal dialysis, you gain a sense of control over your treatments and dont need the help of a partner. After youre trained, you can do CAPD and automated peritoneal dialysis by yourself. With peritoneal dialysis, youll have boxes of dialysis solution taking up space in your home.
CAPD pros
- You dont need a machine to do CAPD.
- You can do CAPD at the times you choose, as long as you complete the required number of exchanges each day.
- You can do CAPD in many locations.
- You can travel as long as you bring dialysis supplies with you or have them delivered to where youre going.
CAPD cons
- CAPD can disrupt your daily routine.
- CAPD is a continuous treatment, and you need to do all exchanges 7 days a week.
Automated peritoneal dialysis pros
- You can do exchanges at night while you sleep.
- You may not have to perform exchanges during the day.
- You can travel as long as you bring dialysis supplies with you or have them delivered to where youre going.
Automated peritoneal dialysis cons
- You need a machine. If you travel, you may have to carry your cycler with you.
- Your connection to the cycler limits your movement at night.
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