Can Kidney Damage Happen to You? - Why Kidneys Fail

Being a Registered Nurse, I can't count the amount of times I've admitted a young adult with a diagnosis of Renal Failure. Specifically, last week, I admitted a 38 year old black male from E.R., in kidney failure. The patient had no history of any medical problems. He stated, " I came in because my legs are swelling." His blood pressure was elevated at 213/100. He claimed he had no history of hypertension and hadn't seen a doctor in years. After drawing blood and assessing the patient further, he was diagnosed with End Stage Kidney Disease. His kidneys were damaged so severely, he needed dialysis.

Kidney disease is on the rise. An estimated 26 million, about 13 percent of the U.S. population, now have Chronic Kidney Disease. African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, and American Indians are at higher risk for developing Kidney Disease.

Before I discuss why kidneys fail, let's discuss the role of the kidneys. The kidneys are two bean shaped organs located in the back lower flank. The right kidney is lower than the left due to the liver being above the right kidney.

The kidneys have 3 functions: Removes waste from the body, regulate fluid in the body, and produces hormones in the body. These 3 functions are needed to survive.

Our body produces waste, by the foods we eat and drink and the medications we take. These waste are urea, creatinine, and uric acid. A build up of these waste can be toxic and fatal to the body. The kidneys filter these waste, in our blood, to form urine. Urine is how we rid the body of waste products.

The kidneys regulate fluid in the body by removing excess fluid (urine). This, in turn, balances the body's electrolytes. The human body must maintain proper sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphate, and magnesium to function properly. The slightest increase or decrease in these electrolytes can cause serious health problems.

The kidneys also produce the following hormones: Renin, erthropoetin, calcitrol, and prostaglandins. Each of these hormones have an effect on specific areas in the body. Renin controls the blood pressure, erthropoetin produces red blood cells, calcitrol produces calcium, and prostagladins help to regulate blood flow. Like electrolytes, these hormones are needed for the body to function properly.

The most common causes of kidney disease are diabetes and hypertension. The 38 year old patient, I previously mentioned, had hypertension. A large percentage of adults do not visit his or her doctor regularly. The patients hypertension wasn't diagnosed and treated, thereby increasing his risk for kidney failure.

The common signs and symptoms of kidney failure are:

Hypertension or high blood pressure due to the retention of water and sodium in the body. This can also cause edema (swelling) in the body.

Heart problems, due to the bodys inability to regulate electrolytes. An increase in potassium has a direct effect on the heart, which causes arrhythmia's.

Anemia or decreased red blood cells, due to the bodys inability to produce erthropoetin, which produces red blood cells. Symptoms of anemia are: feeling tired, shortness of breath, feeling cold, and chest pain.

A change in urine production. A decrease or change in urine color, due to the bodys inability to rid waste. The urine can appear darker or have a frothy consistency.

In an effort to prevent kidney damage, visit your doctor regularly. An annual physical could possibly prevent kidney failure and the need for dialysis.