WHAT YOU SHOULD
KNOW
Kidney failure, also known as chronic renal failure
(CRF), is a serious, long-term disease of the kidneys. In CRF,
the kidneys lose some of their ability to filter body wastes
from the blood and dispose of them in the urine. Chronic
renal failure may come on slowly and get worse with time; or
problems may start suddenly in your kidneys, then get better
with treatment. You may need care over a long period of
time.
Causes
The kidneys' performance can be disrupted by high blood
pressure, kidney disease, other diseases that affect the
kidneys (such as diabetes and lupus), infection or blockage of
the urinary system, and some medicines. In some cases, there
may be a blockage in arteries leading to the
kidneys.
Signs/Symptoms
Typically, you'll notice that you
are urinating less than usual. You're likely to experience
nausea, vomiting, and tiredness. You may develop shortness of
breath, become irritable, notice a bad taste in your mouth, and
lose your appetite. Other signs are confusion, headache, muscle
aches, and numbness in the feet and legs. Your skin may become
dry and itchy, and tend to bruise easily.
Care
Your doctor will run tests on
your blood and urine. You will need rest, medicine, and a
special diet. You may need a stay in the hospital for tests and
treatment.
Risks
Left untreated, chronic renal
failure can get worse and lead to death. If you suspect this
problem, check with your doctor immediately.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
-
Take any medicine prescribed by your doctor exactly
as directed. If you feel it is not helping, call your
doctor, but do not stop taking it on your own. If you are
taking an antibiotic, finish the entire prescription even
if you feel well. Ending treatment too soon can allow some
of the germs to survive and re-infect
you.
-
Write down your weight daily.
-
Follow your doctor's advice about resting, eating,
and drinking liquids. You may be asked to write down how
much liquid you drink and how much you urinate. Your doctor
may also put you on a special diet.
-
For more information on kidney disease, contact the
National Kidney Diseases Information Clearinghouse,
Box NKUDIC, Bethesda, MD 20893, (301) 468-6345, or call the
National Kidney Foundation, 1-800
622-9010.
Call Your Doctor If...
-
You can't eat or drink and find that you are losing
weight.
-
You feel confused and irritated.
-
Your urine output for a day is considerably less than
normal.
-
You are having breathing problems or muscle
aches.
-
You develop vomiting or
diarrhea.
Seek Care Immediately If...
-
You have a high temperature.
-
You are sleeping more than usual, and find it hard to
wake up.
-
You notice specks of blood in your urine or
stool.
-
Blood is coming from your nose, mouth, or ears for no
clear reason.
-
You have a bad headache or a
seizure.
IF YOU'RE HEADING FOR THE
HOSPITAL...
What to Expect While You're
There
You may encounter the following
procedures and equipment during your stay:
-
Taking Your Vital Signs: These include your
temperature, blood pressure, pulse (counting your
heartbeats), and respirations (counting your breaths). A
stethoscope (steth-uh-scope) is used to listen to your
heart and lungs. Your blood pressure is taken by wrapping a
cuff around your arm.
-
Oxygen: Your body may need extra oxygen at this
time. It is given either by a mask or nasal prongs. Tell
your doctor if the oxygen is drying out your nose or if the
nasal prongs bother you.
-
Pulse Oximeter: While you are getting oxygen, you
may be hooked up to a pulse oximeter (ox-IM-uh-ter). It is
placed on your ear, finger, or toe and is connected to a
machine that measures the oxygen in your
blood.
-
KUB (kidney-ureter-bladder)
X-ray: A picture of your kidneys and ureters (the
tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder).
The doctor will check the x-ray for
blockages.
-
Renal Ultrasound: A painless test in which sound
waves are used to make a picture of your kidneys on a
TV-like screen. The test is performed while you are lying
down.
-
Foley Catheter: A tube inserted to drain the
bladder.
-
Blood: Usually taken from a vein in your hand or
from the bend in your elbow and sent to a laboratory for
testing.
-
IV: A tube placed in your vein for giving medicine
or liquids. It will be capped or have tubing connected to
it.
-
Dialysis (die-AL-uh-sis): You may be hooked up to a
dialysis machine, also known as an ""artificial kidney
machine.'' It filters your blood and removes extra water,
chemicals, and waste products.
-
ECG: Also called a heart monitor, an
electrocardiograph (e-LEC-tro-CAR-dee-o-graf), or EKG.
Patches on your chest will be hooked up to a TV-type screen
or a small portable box (telemetry unit). This screen shows
a tracing of each heartbeat. Your heart will be watched for
signs of injury or damage that could be related to your
illness.
-
Strict Intake and Output: Care givers will closely
watch how much liquid you are getting and how much you are
urinating.
-
Weight: You will be weighed
daily.
-
Eating/Drinking: If you have been vomiting, your
stomach will be given a rest. You will get all the liquids
and vitamins you need through your IV until you can eat
normally.
-
Diet: When you are able to eat, you may be put on a
special diet. Your doctor will talk to you about foods you
can take.
-
Activity: You may need to rest in bed until you are
feeling better.
-
Medicine:
-
Pain medicine may be given in your IV, as a shot,
or by mouth. If the pain does not go away or comes back,
tell a doctor right away.
-
Antibiotics may be given by IV, in a shot, or by
mouth to fight infection.
-
Other medicines may be used to control high blood
pressure, nausea and vomiting, stomach acid, or
constipation. Vitamins and minerals may also be
necessary.
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