What is End Stage Renal Disease?
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End stage renal disease (ESRD) is the final and most severe stage of kidney failure.
Causes of ESRD The terms "end stage renal failure" and "end stage renal disease (ESRD)' are used interchangeably. In most cases ESRD is the result of a natural progression of degenerative chronic kidney failure (kidney failure over an extended period of time). A patient might be affected by chronic renal failure for many years before it progresses to ESRD. In rare circumstances a patient might be affect by acute (or immediate) ESRD as a result of severe trauma. Chronic renal failure, which may eventually lead to end stage renal failure, can be caused by a number of diseases. Most common causes include diabetes, hypertension and bacterial infections.
Signs and Symptoms of ESRD Patients who are diagnosed with end stage renal failure usually have a long term history of renal failure. Over time the kidneys become damaged to the point where they are not able to function, thus resulting in ESRD. Generally, a patient with a history of chronic kidney failure is diagnosed with ESRD when their kidney function falls below 10% of capacity. Symptoms are severe as a result of the build up of toxins and other fluids in the body. The patient becomes very sick and may display symptoms, such as:
These are just some of the symptoms which may be displayed by a patient with end stage renal disease. Other symptoms not listed above may also be experienced, such as seizures and muscle cramps.
How is ESRD Treated? In most cases, a patient who is diagnosed with ESRD would have been receiving treatment for chronic renal failure. This may have included treatment of underlying causes, such as hypertension and diabetes. Usually, dialysis is also administered to remove toxins from the body. With ESRD, however, the most effective treatment is kidney transplant. Additionally, frequent dialysis is also necessary to remove the build up of toxins in the body. Other treatments such as regulated diet may provide some assistance in the short term, but the focus should be urgent kidney transplant. The process of obtaining a donated kidney is often quite lengthy and costly. A patient should not wait until they are diagnosed with ESRD before they consider a kidney transplant. Once a patient is affected with chronic kidney failure, with no sign of improvement, they should start considering a kidney transplant. While a patient with end stage renal disease is awaiting a transplant, all other viable treatment options, prescribed by their physician, should be pursued. This includes regular dialysis, restricted diet, and aggressive treatment of any underlying conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and congestive heart failure.
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