End Stage Renal Disease

End Stage Renal Disease

Table of Contents

End stage renal disease is the ultimate or almost full failure of functioning of the kidneys. This takes place when the kidneys stop performing and working well enough for one to live without a transplant or dialysis. In this situation, it is not possible to fix the kidney failure as it is permanent.


Causes

The most usual causes of end stage renal disease are hypertension and diabetes. These are ailments that have a negative impact on the kidneys.  Diabetes is a chronic or lifelong ailment that is as a result of an individual having high levels of sugar in the blood.  High blood pressure, which also has, the name of hypertension is a situation in which blood pressure is 140/90 mmHg or above in most of the time. These are the two leading causes of end stage renal disease. Anybody can suffer from end stage renal disease, but there are those who are more probable to suffer from the illness than others.  Persons are more likely to put up with the ailment if they have chronic kidney disease, trauma or injury to the kidneys, and key blood loss.  Other individuals are born with some problems and may have reactions to medicines or injuries that can cause end stage renal disease. Watson V. (2004).


Function

Those who have end stage renal disease are not able to have their kidneys perform certain functions. Such functions include the removal of excess water and waste from the body. With this condition, it is also not possible for the kidneys to produce hormones that stimulate red blood cell synthesis. This stimulation of red blood cells synthesis and renin is what aids in controlling salt, water balance and blood pressure.


Symptoms

There are common symptoms that indicate that an individual could be suffering from end stage renal disease. Such symptoms include widespread ill feeling and fatigue, dry skin and itching on the whole body. Lack of appetite, weight loss, headaches, and nausea are also symptoms of the disease. Other symptoms include pain in the bones, dark or light skin that is not usual and change in nails. Michael J. (2008).


Diet

Individuals who suffer from end stage renal disease ought to make adjustments to their diets. This includes having a diet that has low levels of proteins, minimizing the quantities of fluid intake and restricting phosphorus, potassium, salt and other electrolytes.   For individuals who have diabetes and suffer from end stage renal disease, it is essential that they limit the amount of carbohydrates intake. Prior to commencing dialysis, it is advisable that one has low protein diets. On the onset of dialysis, however, individuals suffering from the disease would require more proteins. National Kidney Foundation. (2009). This is essential as it aids in replacement of lost muscles. Patients also need to limit on the intake of dairy foods. Such foods include cheese, yoghurt and milk. The essence of this diet is to have a balance of the electrolytes, minerals and fluid in patients who are undergoing dialysis.  Adhering to this diet s also essential as the practice of dialysis alone cannot effectively remove all the waste products in the body. Patients may have to adjust and make a change to their diet as recommended by the physicians depending on their condition.


Dialysis and treatment 

For patients who have end stage renal disease, they only have two options. This includes the practice of dialysis or kidney transplantation. Patients ought to start preparation for dialysis prior to its commencing. They should learn about the practice by being aware of the dialysis therapies that are available and placement of dialysis access.  Dialysis pertain the artificial procedure of removal of unwanted water and waste from the blood. Under normal circumstances, kidneys should be in a position to do this, but die to the condition; some individuals may have damaged kidneys. Such kidneys, therefore, cannot be able to perform the function in the appropriate manner. Dialysis, therefore, is put in place and involves the artificial replacement for lost kidney function.  This dialysis also has the name of renal replacement therapy. The two key dialysis that exist are peritoneal and hemodialysis. Wanner C. (2001).


Kidney transplantation is the other option for patients suffering from end stage renal disease. The donated kidney is essential as it replaces the work previously done by the failed kidney. Donation of kidneys may be from living related donor this may be a person related to the recipient of the kidney. Donation may also be from a living individual who has no family relations with the recipient such as a friend.  There is also the option of having a deceased donor. With this option, the deceased donor is an individual who died recently and did not have any chronic disease. After making an option of the donor, the healthy kidney is the transported in cool salt water for purposes of preservation. It is during this time that the physician performs tests so as to match the donor’s and recipient’s tissue and blood prior to the operation. Conlin MJ. (2007).


References:

National Kidney Foundation. (2009) Dietary guidelines for adults starting on hemodialysis.

Conlin MJ. (2007)Renal transplantation. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier

Watson V. (2004) Knowledge of dietary restrictions and the medical consequences of noncompliance by patients on hemodialysis are not predictive of dietary compliance.104:35-41.

Michael J. (2008) Clinical practice guidelines for nutrition in chronic renal failure. New York.

Wanner C. (2001) Lipid changes and statins in chronic renal insufficiency and dialysis. New York.





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