The renal system is the group of organs that filter liquid waste from the bloodstream and remove it from the body, but it primarily refers to the kidneys. Likewise, renal failure refers to kidney failure, or the inability of the kidneys to concentrate urine or filter waste without also filtering electrolytes. Electrolytes are nutrients that carry an electric charge. Water-soluble vitamins and minerals play a major role in renal failure prognosis, as it is up to the renal system to balance these nutrients in the bloodstream.
Nutrients Lost During Renal Failure
Electrolytes include water-soluble minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, chloride, sodium and phosphorus. The renal system maintains adequate levels of these nutrients in the blood by selectively filtering excess, but refraining from filtration altogether when there are insufficient or adequate amounts. However, the renal system tends to filter the blood of both waste and electrolytes during some cases of renal failure, resulting in significant electrolyte losses. Serum blood levels tend to drop the most, causing hypocalcemia while raising the risk of other related complications.
Nutrients to Avoid During Renal Failure
Most often, the renal system will cease to filter anything from the bloodstream, resulting in a dangerous buildup of wastes and various nutrients. In particular, excess sodium, potassium and phosphorus may collect in the bloodstream. This can cause water retention and bloating, high blood pressure, fatigue and other complications. Treatment for this type of renal failure may require intravenous calcium to lower phosphorus and potassium levels and diuretics or dialysis to dilute buildup and facilitate urination.
Other Nutrients and Renal Failure
During treatment, your doctor may limit your protein consumption while placing you on antibiotic treatment to prevent infection from waste buildup. This leaves only carbohydrates, of which your doctor or nutritionist may advise you eat large amounts during treatment. This leaves the opportunity to balance the vitamins and minerals in your body through high-carbohydrate, low-protein and low-sodium foods like fruits and vegetables.
Causes, Signs and Symptoms
Renal failure can result from a series of complications, including burns, dehydration, septic shock, hemorrhage, acute nephritic syndrome, injury, surgery, serious illness, interstitial nephritis, transfusion reactions, scleroderma, malignant hypertension, septicemia, acute pyelonephritis, urinary tract obstructions and others. Indications of renal failure include flank pain, fatigue, breath odor, easy bruising, bloody stools, nosebleeds, persistent nausea or vomiting, decreased appetite, metallic taste, sluggish movements, seizures, hiccups, hand tremors, high blood pressure, decreased sensation, altered mood or mental status, generalized swelling and urination changes. Visit your doctor immediately if you suspect a renal disorder or renal failure; if left untreated, chronic or terminal conditions can result.
References
- MedlinePlus; Acute Kidney Failure; August 2010
- MedlinePlus; Electrolytes; August 2009
- "Nutritional Sciences: From Fundamentals to Food"; Michelle McGuire and Kathy A. Beerman; 2011
