The Facts
Chronic renal failure is a slow, progressive decline of kidney function. It's usually a result of a complication from another serious medical condition. Unlike acute renal failure, which happens quickly and suddenly, chronic failure happens gradually - over a period of years - as the kidneys slowly stop working. The progression is so slow that symptoms usually don't appear until a major part of the damage is done.
The kidneys play three major roles:
- removing waste products from the body, keeping toxins from building up in the bloodstream
- producing hormones that control other body functions, such as regulating blood pressure and producing red blood cells
regulating the levels of minerals or electrolytes (sodium, calcium, and potassium, for example) and fluid in the body
It's entirely possible to live a full, healthy life with only one kidney - one fully functioning kidney can do the work of two - but it's essential to watch for signs of any problems with the remaining kidney.
When kidneys get to the point where they can't function at all, kidney dialysis or a transplant is the only way to remove the body's waste products.
Causes
The most common causes of chronic renal failure in North America are diabetes mellitus (type 1 or type 2 diabetes) and high blood pressure. The most common cause of end-stage renal failure worldwide is IgA nephropathy. One of the complications resulting from diabetes or high blood pressure is the damage to the small blood vessels in the body. The blood vessels in the kidneys also become damaged, resulting in chronic renal failure.
Other common causes of chronic renal failure include:
- recurring pyelonephritis (kidney infection)
- polycystic kidney disease
- autoimmune disorders such as systemic lupus erythematosus
- urinary tract blockages and reflux (due to frequent infections, stones, or an anatomical abnormality that happened at birth)
- excessive use of medications that are metabolized through the kidneys
