What is renal failure?

Posted on Fri, 28 Feb 2014

Question: What is renal failure? I have an extensive medical history. survived bladder cancer. Lost one kidny to cancer. Arteries blocked in heart and right leg. Stents inserted in heart and leg. was immobilized for 14 years. Have been walking again for the last year. Had an abdominal aorta aneurysm repaired with bypass surgery. Have unusual recovery rate. also have type 2 diabetes

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (5 hours later)

Brief Answer: Please find detailed answer below Detailed Answer: Hi XXXX Thanks for writing in to us. I have read through your query and the medical history. Renal failure is a condition that arises due to the malfunctioning of kidneys. This is further described as an acute renal failure or chronic renal failure. In acute renal failure there might be a sudden kidney shut down which can be seen as inability to generate enough urine (oliguria or anuria) and thereby causing an increase in the levels of blood urea and creatinine which causes toxicity. This can occur over few hours to days. It can also happen as a cause to other medical conditions. If treated on time and with intensive care, recovery rates are higher. Chronic kidney disease is often a consequence of kidney disease due to long term effects as seen in conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure. In this the kidney function decreases slowly and the patient may not realise in the early stages of disease. This also causes raised blood urea and creatinine levels that can occur over months to years. Intensive medical treatment can recover kidney function. Dialysis is one of the supportive treatments for renal failure. If the general condition of the patient is good and a matching donor is found, renal transplant can be done. Hope your query is answered. Do write back if you have any doubts. Regards, Dr.Vivek

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar