Kidney damage can be temporary or permanent, depending on what caused it. Here are some reasons why kidneys may fail.
Learn about the kidneys--where they're located, how they filter waste from the blood, and their other roles in keeping the body healthy.
The kidneys' main job is to clean the blood. They filter wastes and excess fluids from thousands of pints of blood each day. Learn about their other roles as well.
If you have kidney problems, or have in the past, exercise is important. It is also important if you want to prevent problems with your kidneys.
Simple kidney cysts are fluid-filled sacs that form in your kidneys. These cysts often don't affect how the kidneys function. Simple kidney cysts are very common. They rarely need treatment. Most people don't even know that they have them.
Open kidney exploration is a type of surgery. In most cases it's done to treat injuries to the kidneys. But it is sometimes done to find the cause of a problem in the kidneys.
Your kidneys are not working properly. Acute kidney injury has many causes including urinary blockages, infection, lack of enough blood supply, and medications that can injure kidneys.
Having kidney failure means many changes in your health and life. It may feel like too much to cope with at times, but you can learn how to deal with these emotions and feel better about your treatment and yourself. Learning as much as you can about kidney failure is a good place to start.
Healthy kidneys balance the amount of fluid that enters and leaves the body. If your kidneys can't maintain this fluid balance, you may need to limit your fluid intake.
By lowering high blood pressure, you can reduce the amount of damage to your kidneys, and help slow any progression of kidney disease. Visit your healthcare provider as scheduled and follow the tips below.
Healthy kidneys balance the amount of fluid that enters and leaves the body. If your kidneys can't maintain this fluid balance, you may need to limit your fluid intake. This handout can help you take in the right amount of fluid each day.
Your healthcare provider will check the health of your kidneys. That way, treatment can be adjusted if your condition changes. If you have other health problems that affect your kidneys, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, they will be checked also.
Anemia is a health problem that affects your blood. Normally, the kidneys make a protein called erythropoietin. It tells your body when to make new red blood cells. But if you have kidney disease, your kidneys may not be able to make enough of this protein. You may also not have enough iron in your body. Iron is vital to making red blood cells.
There are 4 general types of kidney stones. Your kidney stone's size and shape determine whether it is likely to pass by itself. Knowing what your stone is made of helps your healthcare provider find its cause.
High blood pressure that isn't controlled can damage the walls of the blood vessels in your body, including those in the kidneys.
A successfully transplanted kidney works like a normal kidney to filter your blood. You won't need dialysis. But you will need to take medicines to keep your new kidney healthy.
A kidney transplant is the preferred treatment for kidney failure. It is a surgery to place a donated kidney into your body. This kidney takes over the job of filtering your blood. The transplant is the treatment closest to having your own healthy kidney.
If the kidneys fail, blood is no longer filtered. Waste and extra fluids build up in the body, and chemicals become out of balance. This can make you ill and even cause death. Though kidney failure has no cure, certain treatments can help keep the body working the best it can.
Calcium and phosphorus are minerals found in many foods. Your body works best when these minerals are in balance. But if you have kidney disease, phosphorus may build up in your blood. This can weaken your bones over time. This sheet will help you maintain balance.
Facing a chronic illness alone can be hard for you and your family. If you have fears or concerns, try talking to people close to you. Also talk with your healthcare team and other people with kidney disease. Don't hesitate to ask for support or help when you need it.
Kidney stones are made up of chemical crystals that separate out from urine. These crystals clump together to make stones.
Your doctor used a special needle to remove a small piece of tissue from your kidney to examine it for signs of damage and disease. A kidney biopsy is ordered after other tests have shown that there may be a problem with your kidney. Kidney biopsies are also performed when kidney disease is suspected and to rule out cancer.
An abscess is a pocket of infection that has liquid called pus. An infection like this in the kidney is called a renal abscess.
If you've had a kidney stone, you may worry that you'll have another. Removing or passing your stone doesn't prevent future stones. But with your healthcare provider's help you can reduce your risk of forming new stones.
Most kidney donors live normal lives with one kidney. Once you recover from surgery, you will be able to return to your normal activities. Here's what you need to know about home care after surgery.
You had cryoablation to treat kidney cancer. Here's how to take care of yourself at home after the procedure.
Kidney failure and its treatment will mean making some changes. But you can still live a full life with kidney failure. Read on to learn more.
Cancer that starts in a kidney is call kidney or renal cancer. Learn how this cancer forms and what the treatment options are.
Chronic kidney disease can happen because of infections, diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney stones, circulation problems, and reactions to medicine. The goal is to make changes in your life to stop CKD from progressing to complete kidney failure.
Choosing the right type and quantity of proteins you eat is important when you have chronic kidney disease. This can affect your overall health and kidney function as well.
The members of your healthcare team are the people who work with you to manage your treatment. They will guide you through your choices and teach you how to live with kidney failure. They can also address your concerns and give you support. Work with your team to ensure that you feel your best.
Most kidney stones are about the size of a grape seed. Stones of this size are small enough to pass naturally. Once it is passed, a stone can be analyzed. This wait-and-see approach is called expectant therapy.
If your kidneys can't filter wastes from your blood normally, the BUN (blood urea nitrogen) level increases. If the level gets too high, you can become sick. Because of this, you need to control the amount of protein you eat each day. Use this handout to help you.
You had a procedure called a nephrectomy to remove a kidney because one of your kidneys was not working correctly or because there was a tumor. You can live a normal, healthy life with one kidney.
Your body needs plenty of iron to make red blood cells. Because of this, most people who take epoetin alfa (EPO) need extra iron. EPO is the injection that people with kidney disease take to boost their red cells. Iron can be given in pill form or by I.V. Some people receive it both ways.
Your healthcare provider may suggest this treatment if the cancer has spread beyond your kidney or comes back after other treatment.
People with chronic kidney disease should restrict their sodium intake to less than 1,500 mg of sodium (3,800 mg of table salt) each day. Here are foods to avoid.
Hydronephrosis is when your kidneys fill with too much urine and swell up. It's cause by a problem in the urinary tract that stops urine from draining normally.
Your healthcare provider removed a small piece of tissue from your transplanted kidney to examine it for signs of damage or rejection. The results of a transplant biopsy are usually available within a few hours, so if treatment is needed, it can be started as soon as possible.
When you're being treated for kidney cancer, you'll need to take good care of yourself at home after treatment. Read on for helpful tips.
