Kidney Failure: Symptoms, Causes and Types

by Rohit Singh Digital Marketing Manager

Kidney failure or renal failure is a medical function marked by the inability of the kidneys to carry out their functions normally. The normal functioning of the kidneys is vital for our existence as these not only purify the blood of various impurities but also perform various metabolic function. Kidney failure can be a result of many factors. Best doctors in Delhi usually recommend a kidney transplant for the same when medicines and dialysis fail to give the desired result.

About kidney failure:

A person is said to be suffering from a kidney or renal failure when his/her kidneys are unable to filter out wastes from the blood. The kidneys are a pair of reddish-brown, bean-shaped organs located on either side of the lower back. Though the normal functioning of both the kidneys is crucial for a healthy life, it is very much possible for a person to live a healthy life with only one completely functional kidney. As per the doctors specializing in Kidney transplant in India, normal kidney function can be hampered by a variety of factors that include exposure to toxic chemicals, underlying disease, chronic dehydration and trauma to the kidneys. When the kidneys fail to carry out their work normally, it leads to the accumulation of harmful wastes and toxins in the blood that eventually give rise to life-threatening complications.

Symptoms that you need to look out for:

During the initial stages, the patient may not experience any major symptom as these usually progress with time. Some common symptoms include the following:

A drastic decrease in the amount of urine
Oedema or swelling in the limbs as a result of fluid retention in these areas
Breathlessness
Excessive fatigue and general body weakness
Feeling nauseated, especially after meals
Feeling sudden pressure in the chest persistently
Pain in the lower back and chest
Seizures and confusion
Coma

Kidney transplant in Delhi has successfully helped people to deal with these symptoms and lead a healthy life.

Causes of kidney failure:

Kidney failure may be a result of any of the following:

Cut down of blood supply to the urine which may be due to

An underlying cardiovascular problem that leads to obstruction on the blood vessels
Dehydration caused by insufficient water intake
Sever burns suffering in an accident
Scarring of the liver tissue
Allergic reaction to certain foods and environmental pollutants
Side effects of certain medicines
Severe infection or sepsis in the kidneys.
Unmanaged hypertension and diabetes

Difficulty in passing out urine which triggers the build-up of toxins and the kidneys become overloaded. This may be due to:

Prevalence of kidney stones
Enlarged prostate
Clot formation within the urinary tract
Severe damage to the nerves and muscles that control the urinary bladder.

Other causes of kidney failure include:

Excessive drug abuse and alcohol intake
Presence of a blood clot in the kidney
Toxin overload caused by exposure to heavy metals
Chronic or long-term infection
Vasculitis or unhealthy inflammation of the blood vessels
Autoimmune diseases like lupus that can trigger inflammation in various organs
Glomerulonephritis or inflammation in the tiny blood vessels present in the kidneys
Underlying diseases and malignancies that include multiple myeloma and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
Side-effects of certain medicines and dyes used in imaging tests

Types of kidney failure:

Kidney failure can be broadly classified into 5 different types:

Acute prerenal kidney failure – It is triggered by an insufficient flow of oxygenated blood to the kidneys. As the continuous supply of blood is vital to ensure healthy renal function, lack of the same can prevent the kidneys from carrying out their functions properly and lead to accumulation of toxins in the body.
Acute intrinsic kidney failure – It is caused by a sudden and direct trauma to the kidney which may be sustained in an accident. It may also be a result of toxin overload or ischemia.
Chronic prerenal kidney failure – It is caused by an insufficient flow of blood to the kidneys for a prolonged period of time, as a result of which the kidneys start to shrink and become non-functional
Chronic intrinsic kidney failure – It is caused by prolonged damage to the kidneys due to intrinsic kidney disease. It is triggered by direct trauma to the kidneys.
Chronic post-renal kidney failure – It is a result of a long-term obstruction in the flow of urine due to blockage in the urinary tract which imposes an unnecessary strain on the kidneys.