CHRONIC KIDNEY FAILURE. WHEN THE KIDNEY STOPS WORKING.

Chronic Kidney Failure is a progressive and irreversible deterioration of renal function.

According to the prestigious journal ‘The Lancet’, 10% of the world’s population and 12% of Spaniards suffer from this pathology without having any knowledge of it.

The main causes that encourages its manifestation are:

• High Blood Pressure.

• Metabolic Syndrome (High levels of Cholesterol, Triglycerides, Uric Acid, High Blood Pressure, and Insulin Resistance).

• Diabetes.

• Polycystic Kidney Disease (It is a hereditary illness whereby multiple cysts emerge in the kidney).

• Diets rich in protein, predominately sourced from animals. 

A blood test would show a progressive elevation of the urea, creatinine, potassium and bicarbonate blood levels, as well as proteins and albumin in the urine.

Its symptoms are:

• Loss of appetite.

• Nocturia (Which is a frequent need to urinate during the night).

• Nausea and vomiting.

• High blood pressure.

• Anaemia.

The majority of these symptoms materialise when the pathology is already established.

It usually emerges in older adults however there is a high probability that young people between the ages of 20 and 39 years of age can also suffer from this pathology.

An early diagnosis can stop the progression of this illness however, most cases do end up needing dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Always remember that a simple blood and urine test can save our lives.

Dr J. Hurtado Martínez
Medical Director of HealthSalus