KIDNEY KNOWLEDGE SERIES - (2)

KIDNEY FAILURE (Part 1)

Q:     What are the kidneys?

A:     Each person is normally born with two kidneys, located in the lower back. The kidneys are shaped like beans and are the size of the fist. Each kidney contains normally about one million little filters called nephrons.

Q:     What do the kidneys do?

A:     The kidneys have many functions. Their basic job is to clean the blood through the little filters in them by removing waste products and to regulate the body fluid. They perform this by producing urine where what is not needed in the body is eliminated. They also assist in the production of vitamin D and erythropoietin, a protein necessary to produce hemoglobin for red blood cells.

Q:     What is Kidney Failure?

A:     Kidney failure occurs when both kidneys are so damaged that they no longer can clean waste products from the blood. When only one kidney is lost, the other one is usually strong enough to do the job.

Q:     What are the types of Kidney Failure?

A:      There are 2 types of kidney failure:

1.     Acute Kidney Failure and

2.     Chronic Kidney Failure.

Q:     What is Acute Kidney Failure?

A:     Acute Kidney (Renal) Failure is a sudden decrease in kidney function. It can happen for example with severe infections, severe vomiting and diarrhea with dehydration, intoxications or allergic reactions. With treatment in the hospital, usually dialysis, there is almost always return to normal kidney function. 

Q:     What is Chronic Kidney Failure?

A:     Chronic Kidney (Renal) Failure is the gradual loss of kidney function because of kidney damage. Often people are unaware that their kidneys are not functioning properly, as they are highly adaptable organs. Even when most of a kidney is not functioning, the remaining portion will increase its activity to compensate for the loss.

Q:     What are the causes of kidney failure?

A:     The leading causes of kidney failure in Nigeria are:

1.     Hypertension (High blood pressure)

2.     Chronic Glomerulonephritis

3.     Diabetes Mellitus

Others include ;

1.     Chronic pyelonephritis

2.     Sickle cell disease

3.     Analgesic abuse

4.     Obstructive uropathy

5.     Polycystic kidney disease

6.     Congenital anomalies (In children )

7.     HIV nephropathy

8.     SLE (Systemic lupus erythematosus)

9.     Kidney stone disease

10. Herbal medication use and abuse

11. Bleaching creams containing mercury

12. For some people, the cause is unknown

Q:     How do I know I have kidney failure?

A:     The symptoms of kidney failure tend to appear gradually over a long period of time. They are therefore often easily overlooked or considered a response to the stress of daily life. This may delay diagnosis and treatment, increasing damage to the kidneys.

If you experience any of the following symptoms, discuss them promptly with your doctor:

·        Nocturia (getting up at night to pass urine)

·        Tiredness / lethargy

·        Loss of appetite & nausea

·        Increased or decreased urine volume

·        Discomfort over the bladder / lower abdomen area

·        High blood pressure.

·        Swelling in your hands, feet or face, particularly around your eyes

·        A metallic or foreign taste in your mouth

·        Shortness of breath

·        Restlessness

·        Leg cramps

Q:     How do I know there is something wrong with my kidneys?

A:     There are very few symptoms of kidney disease until the kidneys are severely affected. Usually kidney disease is picked up early, by urine tests (to detect protein) or screening blood (serum creatinine particularly).

Q:     What happens when the kidneys fail?

A:     Harmful waste products and excess fluid accumulate in the body. The individual will have a poor appetite, will get tired more easily, will look pale because of anemia (low number of red blood cells), and performance may be affected.