Top Causes of Kidney Failure and How to Prevent Them

What is Kidney Failure?

Kidney failure is a medical condition when the functioning of the kidneys has dipped severely. In this stage, kidneys almost completely lose their ability to filter out wastes, resulting in a sharp accumulation of wastes in the body. Nephrologists also term kidney failure as end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) or end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The fifth stage of CKD is also known as kidney failure. Preventing your kidneys from failing should be the priority in the first place, as a complete failure of kidneys can result in death.

Causes of Kidney Failure

The major causes of kidney failure are:

• Diabetes
• High blood pressure (second-most common cause)
• Autoimmune diseases like lupus and IgA nephropathy
• Genetic diseases like polycystic kidney disease
• Nephrotic syndrome
• A large obstruction in the urinary tract, kidney stones for example
• Smoking and drinking

Symptoms of Kidney Failure:

• Urinating less than normal
• Itchy skin or rashes
• Swelling in your feet and ankles
• Foamy, bubbly urine
• Trouble falling or staying asleep
• Drowsiness
• Tiredness
• Shortness of breath
• Muscle cramps
• Nauseous feeling
• Lack of appetite
• Loss of appetite
• Confusion
• Chest pain
• Muscle twitching
• Seizures or coma (in severe cases)
• Stomach and back pain
• Fever
• Rash
• Nosebleed

Diagnosis

The following tests are widely used to detect abnormalities w.r.t. the functioning of the kidneys:

• Blood tests
• Urine output measures
• Urine tests
• Imaging tests such as ultrasound and CT scans
• Kidney biopsy
• eGFR blood test

Complications of Kidney Failure:

As mentioned in the introduction, not preventing kidney failure can easily lead to death. If you start to notice any irregularities regarding the functioning of the kidneys, then visiting a well-qualified nephrologist is your best bet.

Ways to Prevent Kidney Failure

• Prevention is better than cure and the same holds for renal disorders. Checking the progression of your renal disorder and implementing apt measures to prevent the complete failure of the kidneys must be your aim if you have any renal disorder. The following measures are helpful in preventing the complete failure of kidneys:
• Consuming a high-salt diet leads to increased blood pressure. High blood pressure leads to damaged renal tissues in the long run. If you want to avoid a complete failure of your kidneys, then keeping your blood pressure in check should be one of your biggest priorities.
• Always keep yourself well-hydrated for the optimal functioning of the kidneys. 2-2.5 liter of water every day is more than enough for a healthy individual. That does not mean, you can only replenish your hydration needs with water. You can also include fruit juices, veggie juices, herbal teas, etc. in your daily diet to fulfill your hydration needs. However, stay away from aerated and carbonated drinks; they dehydrate you quickly.
• Since high-sodium food items are prohibited for kidney patients, refrain from consuming frozen and processed foods. Makers add dollops of salt to these items to preserve them.
• If you already have compromised renal functions, then avoid eating too much animal-based protein like meat, fish, etc. Consuming these food items regularly led to a sharp increase in creatinine levels in the body, which may lead to damaged renal tissues in the future.
• If permitted, do exercises as doing exercises improves cardiovascular health. A healthy heart is vital for healthy kidneys.
• Broccoli, prunes, vegetables, etc. should be a part of your diet, as they are high in fiber. Additionally, include vitamin C-laden foods like berries, Amla, etc. in your diet as well.
• Some Yoga asanas such as cobra pose, child’s pose, warrior pose, etc. help improve blood flow toward the pelvic region. These leads to healthier kidneys.
• Meditation should be an indispensable part of your life. When you meditate, the stress levels in your body go down. This leads to multiple health benefits including better cardiovascular and nervous health. All these contribute to healthier kidneys in the long run and help you avoid a complete failure of your kidneys.

Kidney failure or acute kidney failure is a severe health disorder and you must take all measures possible to avoid it in the first place. In case, you have been diagnosed with early stages of kidney failure, then prompt treatment is the need of the hour. Consult your nephrologist immediately, take appropriate medicines, follow diet and lifestyle changes, and above all, avoid stress.