Kidney Failure: What Are The Causes & What Can You Do?

April 1, 2023 Scarlett Watson

Kidney failure, even known as renal failure, is a grave medical condition that emerges when the kidneys lose their ability to filter waste products and even excess fluids from the blood. There are a dozen of factors that can contribute to the development of kidney failure that can range from chronic health conditions to even lifestyle factors. Of course, timely kidney failure diagnosis can help you get a proper treatment. anyhow, this post is going to share with you several causes of kidney failure.

Diabetes

Diabetes is the leading cause of the condition of kidney failure. Over time, high blood sugar levels can simply damage the tiny blood vessels in the kidneys that filter waste from the blood. This can even lead to kidney damage and even eventually kidney failure.

Glomerulonephritis

Glomerulonephritis is a bunch of diseases that cause inflammation in the small blood vessels in your kidneys that filter waste from the blood. This inflammation can harm the kidneys, leading to kidney failure.

High blood pressure

High blood pressure, even known as hypertension, is another leading cause of kidney failure. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can even harm the blood vessels in the kidneys, dropping their ability to filter waste products and even excess fluids from the blood.

Autoimmune diseases

Autoimmune diseases such as lupus and even rheumatoid arthritis can cause inflammation in the kidneys, heading to kidney damage and eventual kidney failure.

Polycystic kidney disease

Polycystic kidney disease is somewhat an inherited condition that trigger cysts to form in the kidneys. With time, these are the cysts that can grow and cause damage to your kidneys, leading to kidney failure.

Kidney stones

Kidney stones are quite hard, mineral deposits that can form in the kidneys. Large stones can even block the flow of urine, leading to kidney damage and even eventually kidney failure. Of course, if you are getting an idea about having kidney stone, you should get it treated in time to avoid kidney failure.

Urinary tract infections

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can even cause inflammation in the kidneys and harm to the kidney tissue. Chronic or recurrent UTIs can head to kidney damage and even eventually kidney failure.

Drug or medication abuse

The prolonged usage of certain medications or drugs can cause damage to your kidneys, leading to kidney failure. These drugs encompass nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antibiotics, and even chemotherapy drugs.

Chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is somewhat a condition in which the kidneys slowly lose function over time. This can even be caused by a number of factors, encompassing high blood pressure, even diabetes, and other underlying health conditions.

Hepatitis B and C

Chronic hepatitis B and C infections can definitely cause inflammation and damage to the kidneys. Such a thing can lead to kidney failure. Of course, if you are having this condition of hepatitis b or c, you should do the needful soon or it may also lead to your kidney failure.

Congestive heart failure

Congestive heart failure can simply cause fluid build-up in your body. It can include the kidneys. Over time, this fluid build-up can even harm the kidneys and can lead to kidney failure.

Obesity

Of course, obesity can increase the risk of developing diabetes and even high blood pressure, both of which are main causes of kidney failure. Additionally, obesity can even directly damage the kidneys and lead to absolute kidney failure.

Things you can do to avoid kidney failure

There are manifold things that you can do like:

Manage your overall blood sugar yes, you know diabetes increases your risk for heart disease and even kidney failure. So, it gets essential that you manage your blood sugar.
Drink enough water– Dehydration reduces blood flow to your overall kidneys, which can damage them. Ask your doctor how much water you must consume in a day.
Limit your alcohol– Alcohol boosts your blood pressure. The additional level of calories in it can make you gain a lot of weight, too.
Manage your blood pressure– High blood pressure can really boost your risk for heart disease and even kidney failure.
Maintain a healthy weight: of course, extensive weight can increase your risk for conditions associated with kidney failure, like diabetes and high blood pressure.
Try to Eat a heart-healthy diet– you know what, a heart-healthy diet — one low in sugar and even cholesterol and high in fiber, whole grains, and fruits and vegetables — helps you in preventing weight gain.
Drop your salt intake- yes, you know consuming too much salt is associated with high blood pressure. when you can avoid eating salt, do that.
Don’t smoke– you must understand that smoking reduces blood flow to your kidneys. It damages kidney function in folks with or even the ones without kidney disease. So, if you are someone who loves to smoke, it should be a big no now.
Restrict over-the-counter pain medication: the point is in high doses, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, even ibuprofen, and naproxen, reduce the sum of blood flow to your kidneys that can simply harm them.
Reduce your stress: Reducing your overall stress and anxiety can lower your blood pressure and that is definitely a good news for your kidneys.
Exercise regularly: ah, exercise, such as swimming, walking, and even running, can help you in reducing your stress, manage diabetes and high blood pressure, and maintain a proper and healthy weight.

Conclusion

To sum up, kidney failure can be really caused by a wide range of factors, including chronic health conditions, overall lifestyle factors, and even medication or drug abuse. Early diagnosis and proper treatment of fundamental health conditions can help to prevent the probability of kidney failure and its complications. Additionally, you know maintaining a proper healthy and good lifestyle that includes regular exercise, a balanced diet, and even dodging smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can even aid you in reducing the danger of developing kidney failure. You can also make the most of kidney failure medication for the best relief.