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Chronic Renal Failure Causes

Mar 9, 2010 | By StJo
Chronic Renal Failure Causes
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Chronic renal failure is the result of a gradually progressive loss of kidney function. A 2007 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that nearly 17 percent of the U.S. population age 20 and older has chronic kidney disease. The 2009 U.S. Renal Data System report from the National Institutes of Health stated that more than 527,000 Americans had end stage renal disease, and nearly 369,000 were on dialysis in 2007. Diseases of the kidneys themselves can lead to chronic renal failure, but most cases are caused by systemic disease. More than 70 percent of kidney failure in the U.S. is caused by diabetes or high blood pressure.

Diabetes

Diabetes is the leading cause of chronic renal failure, accounting for approximately 44 percent of cases in the U.S. Long-standing diabetes can cause a condition called diabetic nephropathy, which progressively damages the kidneys.

High Blood Pressure

Long-standing high blood pressure (hypertension) is the second leading cause of chronic renal failure in the U.S., and the most common cause among black Americans. Poorly controlled, chronic hypertension leads to hypertensive nephrosclerosis and progressive renal failure.

Chronic Glomerulonephritis

Chronic glomerulonephritis is the medical diagnostic term describing progressive inflammatory or immunologic damage to the functional units of kidneys, the glomeruli. The abnormal inflammatory or immunologic reaction in the glomeruli eventually leads to their destruction. Conditions that may cause chronic glomerulonephritis and possible renal failure include systemic lupus erythematosus, amyloidosis, antiglomerular basement membrane disease, Wegener's granulomatosis, cryoglobulinemia and scleroderma.

Inherited Kidney Diseases

Polycystic kidney disease is an inherited disorder that causes multiple cysts to form in the kidneys. Although the cysts are benign, they impinge on and destroy the normal kidney tissue. Polycystic kidney disease is responsible for roughly 2 percent of chronic renal failure in the U.S. Alport syndrome can also cause chronic renal failure. This rare inherited disorder causes progressive kidney damage and hearing loss. Renal failure and deafness typically occur in the late teens to early twenties.

Urinary Obstruction

Urinary outflow obstruction causes a pressure backup in the kidneys. Prolonged obstruction and back pressure causes progressive kidney damage. Prostate enlargement, kidney stones, bladder stones, urinary reflux (backward flow of urine into the kidneys) and neurogenic bladder can cause this type of chronic renal failure.

Renal Vessel Disease

Abnormalities in the large blood vessels of the kidneys -- the renal arteries and veins -- may cause progressive kidney damage. Most commonly, the culprit is renal artery stenosis. In this condition, the renal arteries are too narrow, thereby limiting the oxygen and nutrients received by the kidneys. Over time, the kidneys slowly wither and lose functional capacity under the chronic deprivation caused by an inadequate blood supply.

Toxins

Repeated or prolonged exposure to environmental or occupational toxins can cause chronic kidney disease and, eventually, renal failure. Nephrotoxic chemicals include fuels, carbon tetrachloride, lead and cadmium. Medications can also cause kidney damage, most notably prolonged and excessive use of aspirin. Other medications that may cause kidney damage and possibly chronic renal failure include cyclosporine, lithium, amphotericin B and aristolochic acid, which is found in some Chinese herbal remedies.

References

Article reviewed by J.A. Rist Last updated on: Mar 9, 2010

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