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What is Renal Failure?The word 'renal' has a Latin origin and means "kidney-related". The term "failure", in the context of the question (what is renal failure), means "not functioning optimally or fully". So the question, "what is renal failure?" can, in short, be answered this way: It is the inability of the kidneys to perform their normal function. When kidney function is impaired this is described as renal (or kidney) failure. It is possible to evaluate how well the kidneys are functioning by performing a series of tests, collectively referred to as kidney function tests. kidney (or renal) failure could range from mild to severe. The most severe stage, where the kidneys are not functioning at all, is described as "end stage renal failure" . Needless to say, without proper diagnosis and treatment, this could be fatal. To more clearly understand what is renal failure it may also be helpful to explain the difference between renal (or kidney) failure and kidney disease. Although these two terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they have slightly different emphasis. kidney disease is any unhealthy condition or specific illness which affect the kidneys and impair kidney function. Kidney diseases could range from mild infections to life-threatening conditions such as kidney cancer. As a result of kidney diseases, the normal functions of the kidneys may be affected, leading to kidney failure (as defined above). In summary, kidney disease is any illness which causes kidney failure (kidney dysfunction) In continuing to look at what is renal failure, let us look at some of its characteristics. Renal (kidney) failure is classified as either acute or chronic. ACUTE KIDNEY (RENAL) FAILUREAcute kidney failure occurs when illness, or injury temporarily damages the kidneys. Consequently, the kidneys cannot adequately remove fluids and wastes from the body or properly regulate certain chemicals in the bloodstream. Although this can cause some problems in the short term, with proper and timely treatment, it can typically be reversed. Often there is no permanent damage to the kidneys.To understand what is renal failure it is worth recognizing its causes... many of which are preventable. Acute-renal-failure can be caused by many different illnesses, but appears most frequently as a complication of serious illnesses such as heart failure, liver failure, dehydration, severe burns, and hemorrhage (excessive bleeding). Adopting a proactive approach to heath can greatly reduce the risk of many of these serious illnesses which contribute to renal failure. Renal (or kidney) failure may also be caused by an obstruction to the urinary tract or as a direct result of kidney disease, injuries, or an adverse reaction to a medicine. These conditions fall into three main categories: pre-renal, post-renal, and intra-renal conditions. Pre-renal conditions do not damage the kidney, but can cause diminished kidney function. They are the most common cause of acute-renal-failure, and include: dehydration, hemorrhage, septicemia or sepsis (blood poisoning), heart failure, liver failure, and burns. Post-renal conditions causes obstruction of the urinary tract. These include inflammation of the prostate gland (prostatitis), enlargement of the prostate gland (benign prostatic hypertrophy), bladder or pelvic tumors, and kidney stone (calculi). Intra-renal conditions involve direct injury to the kidneys or kidney disease. These include kidney infection, drug abuse, and acute inflammation of the kidneys' glomeruli.
CHRONIC KIDNEY (RENAL) FAILURE Unlike acute kidney (renal) failure which is temporary, chronic kidney (or renal) failure is long term and in most cases, irreversible. This is extremely serious and could eventually lead to a total shut down of the kidneys (end stage renal failure). Without proper treatment, to remove the wastes and fluids from the bloodstream, this condition is fatal. It is not only important to understand "what is renal failure" but to also understand its effects on the body and general health. The kidneys are the major organs in the body's natural filtration system. They remove waste products such as urea and toxins, along with excess fluids from the bloodstream, in the form of urine. When the kidneys fail (stop functioning as they should), then fluids and toxins begin to accumulate in the bloodstream. As the fluids begin to build up, the patient may become puffy and swollen in the face (edematous), and they may experience fatigue and nausea. Most symptoms of chronic kidney (renal) failure are not apparent until kidney disease is in an advanced stage. The most common causes of chronic kidney failure include diabetes mellitus, chronic inflammation of the kidneys' glomeruli (glomerulonephritis), hypertension (high blood pressure), kidney cancer, kidney stones, kidney reflux, systemic lupus erythematosus, and sickle-cell anemia. Now that you understand what is renal failure and some of its causes, hopefully you will be encouraged to proactively take measures to avoid it. Regular exercise, a balanced diet and lifestyle, and detoxification will greatly contribute to this goal. While prevention is always best, in some cases, renal (or kidney) failure is not preventable. This is especially so, when it results from hereditary or genetic kidney disorders. If an individual begins to experience symptoms of kidney failure , they should immediately seek professional medical assistance. Early detection and treatment can go a long way in minimizing the impact of renal failure. The majority of kidney disorders, however, can be avoided. Diet and nutrition and some simple healthy lifestyle choices (such as regular exercise) can go a long way to preventing renal failure and minimizing its effects. A good place to start is understanding what is renal failure and its causes, and knowing how to prevent and effectively deal with it.
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