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What is chronic renal failure?

Many diseases of the kidney have a chronic course. After the acute episode which may be symptomatic, a chronic progressive renal failure mtay ensue. Some times the initial acute phase may pass unnoticed and patients may present with advanced chronic renal failure

What are the causes of chronic renal failure?

Common causes of chronic renal failure include obstructive uropathy, glomerulonephritis, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and some herditary renal diseases such as adult polycystic kidney disease.

What are the symptoms of chronic renal? failure?

This depends on the degree of renal failure. In general many patients may have no symptoms until very late in the course of disease. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, weight loss, or weight gain (due to fluids), lack of energy, weakness, shortness of breath and abnormal taste in the mouth.

Some times symptoms referable to the urinary tract may be observed such as excessive urination , or decreased urination, pain in the flanks, or in the groin, and blood in the urine . Increased frequency of urination or burning micturition is another symptom.

As you can see the symptoms are non specific and do not directly point to the kidney as the cause. This can only be determined after appropriate blood tests.

What is the treatment of chronic renal failure?

the goal of therapy in patients with chronic renal failure is to slow down the progression of the disease as well as relief of the symptoms. there are a number of medications which may slow down the disease progression. These include ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor antagonists. Control of elevated blood pressure is extremely important. Diet may also slow down the progression of the disease in some patients. Medications such as Epogen which is used to treat anemia of chronic failure and Calcijex which is used to prevent bone disease secondary to renal failure.

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Last updated Saturday, September 16, 2000