RENAL FAILURE TREATMENT | Kidney Chat
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RENAL FAILURE TREATMENT

Kidney Failure Treatment Options

Renal failure treatment

Kidney failure treatment is primarily determined by the underlying cause(s) of kidney failure and the severity of kidney (renal) failure.  Treatment of kidney failure incorporates dietary changes, lifestyle adjustments, medications to treat underlying conditions, dialysis and kidney transplant.

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In the very early stages, kidney failure treatment may only require changes to diet and some lifestyle changes, such as quit smoking and exercising regularly.

 

Medication may also be required to treat any associated underlying condition, such as diabetes or hypertension.  If kidney failure (renal failure) is caused by bacterial infection, antibiotics may be required.

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In order to determine the most appropriate treatment of renal failure, the severity and underlying cause(s) must first be ascertained.

In the very early stages of kidney failure, a patient may not exhibit any noticeable symptoms. In these cases, signs of renal failure may only be discovered by a doctor during routine medical examinations.  He may then recommend further assessment of the kidneys to determine the level of kidney function and the underlying cause(s) of renal failure.

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Someone who is suspected of having kidney failure will first undergo extensive blood and urine tests.  These tests will analyze the chemical composition of these two substances (blood and urine) and assess how efficiently the kidneys are removing waste and toxic products from the blood.

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The treatment of kidney failure can be quite complex, depending on the overall medical status of the patient and the severity and cause(s) of renal failure.  For instance, pre-renal conditions (i.e. conditions that do not cause kidney damage, but affect kidney function) may be treated with replacement fluids given through a vein, blood transfusion, diuretics (substance that increases urine formation and excretion), or other medications.

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Post-renal conditions (conditions that cause obstruction of the urinary tract) and intra-renal conditions (conditions that cause direct injury to the kidneys) may require surgery and/ or medication.

Kidney Failure Treatment for Mild to Moderate Renal Failure

When kidney failure is mild to moderate, the kidneys can still perform their functions adequately.  There is no need for dialysis or surgery but steps must be taken to either halt or considerably slow down the decline in kidney function.

 

In most cases, treatment is required for underlying conditions (such as hypertension and diabetes) that may be causing the kidneys to fail.  Once the underlying condition is effectively treated or managed, kidney function tends to improve.

 

Mild to moderate kidney failure can be treated with a combination of medication and some dietary and lifestyle adjustments.

 

Treatment typically include the following:

Healthy Vegan Salad
  • Dietary adjustments. A healthy diet is a basic but fundamental part of any renal failure treatment. Unhealthy diet is probably the single largest cause of kidney failure. In many cases, simple dietary changes can help to prevent renal failure, in the first place.

     

    If, however, a patient has been diagnosed with mild to moderate kidney failure, a healthy diet can still prove to be very effective in minimizing and, in some cases, prevent the harmful effects of kidney failure.

    Based on a patient's medical status, a registered dietitian or other suitably qualified health care professional can recommend an appropriate diet.

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  • Exercise is important and can be a very effective kidney failure treatment. The benefits of regular exercise are well known. In some cases, it has proven to be very effective in helping to lower or control blood pressure and increasing insulin sensitivity, to prevent against type II diabetes (adult onset diabetes).  Diabetes and hypertension are two leading causes of kidney failure.

  • ​Healthy lifestyle choices are vital in helping to minimize the harmful effects of kidney failure. There are great benefits to be gained by making healthy lifestyle choices, such as reducing stress levels, quitting smoking, and avoiding the use and abuse of narcotics and other harmful drugs.

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  • Medication may be necessary to treat any underlying diseases, which might be causing or contributing to kidney failure. For instance, patients afflicted with high blood pressure and diabetes may require prescription medication and insulin to treat and control these conditions.

Kidney Failure Treatment for Severe Renal Failure

1. Dialysis

Dialysis is a standard treatment protocol for patients with severe renal failure.  Dialysis helps to remove waste products and toxins from the blood, when the kidneys are no longer able to do so.  There are three basic types of dialysis: hemodialysis (or haemodialysis), hemofiltration, and peritoneal dialysis.

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  • HEMODIALYSIS

    Hemodialysis (commonly referred to as dialysis) is a primary kidney failure treatment. It is administered in both acute and chronic kidney failure cases. Dialysis involves circulating the blood outside of the body through an extra corporeal circuit (ECC) or dialysis circuit. This circuit is made up of plastic tubing, a filter known as a dialyzer (or artificial kidney), and a dialysis machine.

    The machine monitors and maintains blood flow and administers dialysate. Dialysate is a sterile chemical solution that is used to draw waste products out of the blood.

    Hemodialysis patients usually require three sessions per week and the duration of one session is approximately three (3) to four (4) hours.

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  • HEMOFILTRATION

    Hemofiltration is another renal failure treatment that helps to remove toxins and waste products from the blood. It is also known as continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). This procedure is a slow continuous blood filtration therapy and is used mainly to control acute kidney failure, in critically ill patients.

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  • PERITONEAL DIALYSIS

    Peritoneal dialysis is generally administered to patients with chronic kidney failure. It can also be used by patients with acute kidney failure, once they are stable and not in immediate crisis.  This procedure uses the patient's peritoneum as a blood filter.

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A flexible tube-like instrument (called a catheter) is surgically inserted into the patient's abdomen, which is used to fill the abdominal cavity with dialysate (a sterile chemical solution that is used to draw waste products out of the blood).

The peritoneum is the membrane (thin flexible skin-like tissue) that lines the abdominal cavity.

2. Transplant

Successful Kidney transplant is one of the most effective long term treatment for patients with chronic end stage renal disease (ESRD).  ESRD is the most severe form of renal failure, where the kidneys no longer function or function at less than 10% of their capacity.

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Most patients who receive a kidney transplant have an excellent chance of extending their life and also enjoying a much better quality of life.  Studies have indicated that the typical patient will live 10-15 years longer with a kidney transplant than if they stayed on dialysis.

Treatment of kidney failure should always be supervised by a qualified and competent health care professional.  Proper assessment and diagnosis of the patient's health status and the severity of renal failure is necessary, before any kidney failure treatment can be prescribed.

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