Know the 13 signs of end-stage kidney disease
In the end stage of kidney disease, the kidneys are unable to function properly to meet the needs of the body.
Your kidneys filter wastes and extra fluid from your blood, which is then excreted in your urine. And when your kidneys lose their filtering ability, dangerous levels of fluid, electrolytes and waste build up in your body. And in the final stage of kidney failure, you need dialysis or a kidney transplant to stay alive. However, you can choose not to undergo dialysis or a kidney transplant, and choose conservative care to manage your symptoms, with the goal of achieving the best possible quality of life during the remaining time.
Symptoms
You may not experience any signs or symptoms during the onset of CKD. As chronic kidney disease progresses to the end of the stage of kidney disease, signs and symptoms include:
1 - Nausea. 2 - Vomiting. 3 - Loss of appetite. 4- Fatigue and weakness. 5- Sleep problems. 6 - Changes in the amount of urine. 7 - Reduced mental acuity. 8 - Muscle twitching and spasms. 9 - Swollen feet and ankles. 10 - Constant itching. 11 - Chest pain, if fluid accumulates around the lining of the heart. 12 - Feeling short of breath, if fluid accumulates in the lungs. 13 - High blood pressure (hypertension) that is difficult to control. While the signs and symptoms of kidney disease are often nonspecific, this means that they can also be caused by other diseases. Because of your kidneys' greater ability to adapt and compensate for the loss of their function, signs and symptoms of disease may not appear until irreversible damage occurs.
the reasons
Kidney disease occurs when an illness or medical condition impairs kidney function and then worsens kidney damage over months or years.
Diseases and conditions that can lead to kidney disease include:
■ Having type 1 or 2 diabetes. High blood pressure. ■ Glomerulonephritis is the inflammation of the filtering units in the kidneys (glomeruli). Interstitial nephritis is inflammation of the kidney tubes and surrounding structures. Polycystic kidney disease. ■ Prolonged blockage in the urinary tract.
Risk factors
Certain factors increase the progression of chronic kidney disease more quickly to end-stage kidney failure, including:
1 - uncontrolled diabetes. 2 - Kidney disease that affects the glomeruli, which is the structure in the kidneys that filter waste products from the blood. 3 - Polycystic kidney disease. 4- Kidney disease after kidney transplant. 5- High blood pressure. 6 - Smoking. 7 - Masculinity. 8 - Old age. 9 - A low level of kidney function when your doctor begins regular measurement of your kidney function.
5 stages of kidney disease
There are five stages of kidney disease. To determine the stage of kidney disease, your doctor performs blood tests to check the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) measures the amount of blood your kidneys filter per minute, and it is recorded in milliliters per minute (mL / min). The lower your glomerular filtration rate, the lower your kidney function. When the kidneys are no longer able to function at the level required for daily life, then kidney disease is in its final stage. End-stage kidney disease usually occurs when kidney function is less than 10 percent of normal. The doctor may also test whether there is protein in the urine as part of staging kidney disease.
Late-stage treatment
Treatment for late-stage kidney disease may include:
1 - Kidney transplantation A kidney transplant is a surgical procedure by which a healthy kidney taken from a living person or a deceased donor is placed inside the body of a person whose kidneys are no longer functioning properly. A kidney transplant is the treatment option for end-stage kidney disease, compared to a lifetime of dialysis. After a successful kidney transplant, the new kidney filters the blood, and it no longer needs dialysis.
2 - Dialysis Dialysis performs some of the kidneys' actions that are unable to perform by themselves. This includes removing excess fluid and waste products from the blood, restoring electrolyte levels and helping to control blood pressure. Dialysis options include peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis.
For dialysis to be successful, you may need to make lifestyle changes, such as following some dietary recommendations.
Protection
If you have kidney disease, you may be able to slow its progression through healthy lifestyle choices:
Lose weight if you need to. ■ Be active most days. ■ Eat a balanced diet of nutritious and low-sodium foods. Control your blood pressure. ■ Take your medications as prescribed. ■ Check your cholesterol levels every year. Control your blood sugar level ■ Do not smoke or use tobacco products. ■ Get regular checks.
Home remedies As part of treating kidney disease, your doctor may recommend that you follow a special diet to help support your kidneys and limit their functioning. Ask your doctor for a referral to a dietitian who can analyze your current diet and suggest ways to diet without straining your kidneys. Depending on your situation, and depending on your kidney function and overall health, your dietitian may recommend:
1 - Avoid products that contain salt Reduce the amount of sodium you eat every day by avoiding products that contain salt, including many easy-to-prepare foods, such as frozen dinners, canned soups and fast foods. Other foods that contain salt include salty snack foods, canned vegetables, and processed meats and cheeses.
2 - Sister If foods contain less potassium, your dietitian may recommend that you choose foods that contain less potassium at each meal. Foods high in potassium include bananas, oranges, potatoes, spinach and tomatoes. Examples of low-potassium foods include apples, cabbage, carrots, green beans, grapes, and strawberries. 3- Limit the amount of protein you eat. Your dietitian will estimate the right number of grams of protein you need each day and will make recommendations based on that amount. Protein-rich foods include lean meats, eggs, milk, cheese and beans. Low-protein foods include vegetables, fruits, breads and grains.