Kidney failure is a serious medical condition that requires immediate diagnosis and oftentimes continued medical care. There are many conditions associated with kidney failure that can be symptomatic of other conditions including fatigue, loss of appetite, back pain, and cramps in the legs. When the kidneys fail, the symptoms and resulting medical conditions are caused by a build-up in the blood supply of waste. When kidneys are no longer healthy, they are unable to remove the waste from the blood system.
The kidneys also perform another function in the body by balancing out the minerals absorbed into the blood and they also produce hormones. When kidneys fail, medical conditions concerning the blood, nervous system, skin, and bones can occur. Sufferers often have trouble sleeping, have joint problems, develop weakened bones, develop restless leg syndrome, and may end up suffering from depression.
Kidney conditions can be caused by genetics, infections, dehydration, medication, or obstructions in the arteries or veins in the kidneys. There are other medical complications that can lead to kidney failure which can often be fatal especially to those with high blood pressure or diabetes.
Diagnosis of kidney disease, conditions, and failure are accomplished through blood tests which will take a measurement of the waste products in the blood and by measuring hormone levels in the blood supply. Urine tests may also be conducted to check for abnormal cells and measure the amount of proteins being excreted from the body. Biopsies and ultrasounds may also be necessary for further examination of kidney conditions.
Patients diagnosed with kidney conditions and failure can undergo dialysis in order to deal with and prevent medical complications. There are two types of dialysis used to clean the blood. Hemodialysis utilizes a machine to filter your blood outside of the body and remove the harmful waste. Peritoneal dialysis uses the abdominal lining which is called the peritoneal membrane in order to filter the blood internally. Patients battling kidney conditions usually will also need to be on a special diet.