End-Stage Renal Disease - Treatment Options, Symptoms, Causes & Diagnosis from MedifocusHealth

End-Stage Renal Disease > Understanding End-Stage Renal Disease > Introduction to End Stage Renal Disease > Kidney Failure

Introduction to End Stage Renal Disease

Kidney Failure

There are several terms used when discussing decreasing renal (kidney) function.

Renal insufficiency refers to the declining function of the kidneys - typically about 25% of normal function or a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 25-30mL/min. Serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels are mildly elevated at this time.
End-stage renal disease (ESRD), also known as end-stage renal failure (ESRF), is defined as an irreversible decline in kidney function, which is severe enough to be fatal in the absence of dialysis or transplantation. Generally, ESRD occurs when there is less than 10% of renal function remaining.
Uremia is the accumulation of toxins in the blood as a result of renal failure. Uremic syndrome refers to the consequences of renal failure including retention of toxic wastes, deficiency states, and electrolyte disorders. It is accompanied by elevations in BUN and creatinine levels and symptoms include fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, itching, and neurological changes.

Kidney failure can be acute or chronic. In either form, the kidneys slow down or stop filtering blood effectively, causing waste products and toxic substances to accumulate in the blood. Acute renal failure has a rapid onset and is potentially reversible. Acute kidney failure may be due to many things, including a bacterial infection, injury, shock, heart failure, poisoning, or drug overdose. Treatment includes correcting the problem that led to the failure and sometimes requires surgery or dialysis.

Chronic renal failure progresses slowly over a few months and can lead to permanent renal failure. In children, chronic kidney failure can result from acute kidney failure that fails to improve, birth defects of the kidney, chronic kidney diseases, repeated kidney infections, or chronic severe high blood pressure. In adults, chronic renal failure can result from high blood pressure, diabetes, or several other medical issues. The causes, symptoms, treatments, and outcomes of acute and chronic renal failure are different.