Kidney Failure

Functions of the Kidney n Remove waste products and excess fluid n Produce hormones and vitamins n Help regulate blood pressure n Produce red blood cells n Regulate electrolytes

Kidney Failure n Acute Kidney Failure –acute renal failure –sudden, usually short-term n End-Stage Renal Disease –ESRD –chronic kidney failure –chronic renal failure –permanent, irreversible damage

Terms n Polycystic kidney disease n Artificial kidney treatment n Oliguria n Anuria n Diuresis

Causes of Kidney Disease n High blood pressure n Diabetes n Exposure to heavy metals or toxic chemicals n Heavy use of pain relievers n Heavy use of alcohol or other drugs n Preeclampsia-complication of pregnancy

Warning Signs--Kidney Disease n High blood pressure n Blood and/or protein in the urine n Creatinine blood test result greater than 1.2 for women and 1.4 for men n Frequent need to urinate, esp. at night n Puffiness around the eyes and/or swelling of the hands and feet

Hemodialysis n Blood pumped to an artificial kidney machine n Cleans blood n Removes excess fluid n Returns blood to the body through a second tube n Three times a week

Peritoneal Dialysis n Solution (dialysate) flows through a tube into the peritoneum n Waste products and excess fluid pass from blood into the dialysate n Used solution is removed from the body through a tube by gravity or by machine n At night or during the day

Decreased Blood Flow In Acute Failure n Postop bleeding n Bleeding due to trauma n Heart attack n Severe congestive heart failure n Burns n Severe allergic reacions

Treatment of Acute Renal Failure n Drug therapy n Restricted fluids n Diet therapy n Dialysis

Chronic Renal Failure n Nephrons of the kidney slowly destroyed over many years n Most common causes –hypertension –diabetes

Signs & Symptoms n Appear when 80 to 90% of kidney function is lost n Every body system is affected by the buildup of waste products in the blood

Prevent Kidney Disease n Drink plenty of fluid n Prevent or treat diabetes and high blood pressure n Treat wounds and infections n Limit exposure to heavy metals and toxic chemicals n Avoid unnecessary drug use