Renal disease,often referred as kidney disease, results in gradual loss of kidney function leading to high levels of fluid and waste in the body, according to the Mayo Clinic. Filtering toxins from the blood through small structures called nephrons is the organs prime function. Contributing risk factors for kidney disease include diabetes, high blood pressure and a family member with the condition, points out the National Institutes of Health. Kidney damage is a slow process and is not immediately noticeable.Early detection and treatment prevents renal disease from getting worse, suggests the National Kidney Foundation. Still, there is no cure for the condition.
Treating Complications
The American Diabetes Association suggests closely monitoring blood pressure; a mild rise in blood pressure quickly decreases renal function when disease is present. Medications often prescribed to lower blood pressure include angiotensin-converting enzyme, or ACE, inhibitors or angiotensin II blockers, suggests the Mayo Clinic. Water retention is prevented by taking diuretics, or water pills, which causes increased urination and removal of fluids from the body. A symptom of renal disease is weakness and fatigue caused by anemia. Some patients may take erythropoietin hormonal supplements to increased the body's red blood cell production. A low-protein diet decreases the amount of waste products in the body the kidneys must filter.
The Mayo Clinic states that once the kidneys are functioning at less than 15 percent of capacity, end-stage kidney disease is diagnosed. Dialysis or a kidney transplant will be required to continue life.
Dialysis
Diaysis is a treatment option when kidneys no longer remove waste products and excess fluids from the body. The Mayo Clinic reports there are two different types of dialysis: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Hemodialysis involves blood removed from the body and filtered through a machine, similar to an artificial kidney. Peritoneal dialysis involves pumping a solution into the abdominal cavity. The solution absorbs waste products and excess fluid before it is pumped out of the body.
Kidney Transplant
One of the last options for renal disease patients is a kidney transplant. A person must have no other life threatening medical conditions besides renal failure, according to the Mayo Clinic. The unhealthy kidney is removed and replaced with a healthy donor kidney. Dialysis is no longer needed once the transplanted kidney takes over the work of the failed kidneys, advises the National Institutes of Health. Often, the new kidney begins to make urine as soon as blood flows through it, and other times it takes several weeks for the kidney begins to function, reports the National Institutes of Health. Living and deceased donors may provide a healthy kidney, but more kidneys are donated by donors who have died.
