DEAR DR. GOTT: I am an 86-year-old doctor’s daughter concerned that both my parents died of kidney failure, although I never knew how it happened.
Perhaps you could tell me what steps I should take first to deal with it, as I just got a report from my doctor indicating that I have chronic kidney disease that has stabilized. What does that mean?
DEAR READER: The kidneys are fist-sized, bean-shaped organs located at the back of the upper abdomen. Their purpose is to filter and clean blood. When the kidneys lose their ability to perform as intended, the condition is known as kidney failure. Stabilized failure simply means that your kidneys have lost some function but are no longer deteriorating.
Symptoms of failure vary, depending on the type experienced. Diagnosis can be difficult for a physician because symptoms and complaints can be attributed to other, unrelated symptoms. I will cover a few possibilities.
Stones form when the accumulated urine in the kidneys contains too high a concentration of uric acid, calcium or oxalate. Low levels of citrate and magnesium can also contribute to the formation. While there are four types of stones, the most common are the result of excess calcium. This can result from some prescribed diuretics, the ingestion of large amounts of vitamin D, dehydration or from excess hormones — specifically thyroid and/or parathyroid.
Pyelonephritis is a common kidney inflammation. This disorder is rather common in women but can also occur in conjunction with kidney stones, bladder tumors, urinary infections or an enlarged prostate gland in men.
Chronic kidney failure can occur from injury, blocked blood vessels, or can be the result of complications from a surgical procedure. Chronic failure occurs when the function of the kidneys has decreased to less than 25 percent of what it should be. With acute or chronic failure, waste products build up in the blood and cannot be eliminated.
Symptoms include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness and a decrease in urine output.
Treatment consists of determining the cause for the failure, controlling infection and prescribing diuretics. In extremely advanced cases, dialysis may be necessary.
Your failure may be the result of diabetes, hypertension or untreated or repeated kidney inflammation. Make an appointment with your physician or a nephrologist to determine what can be done to bring things under better control.
While I understand you have already requested a copy of my Health Report “Kidney Disorders,” other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped No. 10 envelope and a $2 check or money order to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092-0167. Be sure to mention the title or print out an order form from my website www.AskDrGottMD.com.
