Understanding End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD): Causes and Symptoms
End-stage renal disease, or kidney failure, is a medical condition where your chronic kidney disease reaches an advanced stage. During end-stage renal disease, your kidneys don’t longer work the way they should meet your body’s need. Your kidneys are the ones responsible in filtering and expelling excess fluid and wastes in your body through urine. When your kidneys lose their ability to function properly, it could be very dangerous to your body. You will soon need to undergo dialysis, or worse, a kidney transplant to continue living.
Kidney failure is the most severe stage of kidney diseases, and without treatment, it can be fatal. Dialysis and kidney transplant are the only available treatment for kidney failure. To know more about dialysis treatments, contact Doral Health and Wellness and consult with the best nephrologists and urologists in East New York.
Symptoms
During your chronic kidney disease stage, you might not feel or have signs of these symptoms at all. But when your condition is nearing the end-stage renal disease, you will notice these signs and symptoms which can include:
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Headaches
- Vomiting
- Difficulty in sleeping
- High blood pressure
- Shortness of breath
- Changes in your urine volume
- Swelling of your feet and ankles
- Weakness and fatigue
- Chest pain, especially if there is fluid build-up near your heart
- Decreased mental sharpness
- Metallic taste
Please also note that these signs and symptoms can manifest because of other illnesses.
Causes
Kidney disease happens when you have a condition that affects your kidney function. Several types of health problems can cause damage to your kidneys, and eventually lead to kidney failure. The most common cause of end-stage renal disease can include:
- Polycystic kidney disease
- Autoimmune diseases, such as lupus
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Heart diseases
- Kidney stones
- Severe infections, such as urinary tract infections
If you have an end-stage renal disease, you should:
- See your nephrologist regularly – it is very important that you follow through with your labs and have your symptoms monitored closely. You should also continue seeing your primary doctor and other specialists so you can have your other conditions monitored.
- Follow a kidney-friendly diet – it is important to follow a kidney friendly diet even if you already have an end-stage renal disease. you should monitor your food intake, but if you are going to start dialysis treatment, your diet might need to change. Talk to your dietitian about the changes in your diet.
- Prepare for your treatment – whatever type of treatment you have chosen, it is best that you prepare yourself for it.
Having end-stage renal disease means your kidneys don’t longer work the way they should, and that you may need to be treated with dialysis or kidney transplant. Talk to your urologist or nephrologist so you can discuss dialysis treatment and all the necessary preparations you might need for your treatment.
If you have symptoms of having kidney issues, talk to your doctor so you can devise a proper treatment plan for your condition. Never take any symptoms of kidney problems for granted. It is better to have it checked early on, before it progresses. At Doral Health and Wellness Urology Center, our team of urologist will work with you in managing your disease and your quality of life. To schedule an appointment, please visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11212 or call 1-347-384-5690. You can also visit our website at https://www.urologistbrooklyn.com/.
Doral Health and Wellness also offer dialysis services around Brooklyn. To know more, call us at 1-347-384-5690. You can also visit our website at https://doralhw.org or contact us at info@doralhw.org if you have any queries.