Chronic diseases are those that progress slowly and usually have a long duration. Among these diseases, chronic renal failure (CRF) stands out, normally associated with cases of diabetes, high blood pressure and disorders such as polycystic kidney disease.
In chronic renal failure, the kidney is unable to perform its excretion function normally, which is slowly, progressively and irreversibly impaired. As a result, the carrier person begins to accumulate toxic substances from cell metabolism, impairing the functioning of other organs.
IRC is measured by analyzing the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). A normal individual has this rate around 110 to 120 ml/min, while in an individual with CRF, this rate can reach 10-5 ml/min. When filtration levels reach very low numbers, therapy with hemodialysis or transplantation is necessary.
According to the National Kidney Foundation, we can classify chronic renal failure into five stages. In stage 1, there are kidney disorders, but GFR remains normal (90 or above). In stage 2, the patient has kidney disease and a slight reduction in GFR (60 to 89). In stage 3, there is a moderate reduction in GFR (30 to 59). In stage 4, there is a severe reduction in GFR (15 to 29). In stage five, renal failure occurs and filtration rates are below 15.
A person with CKD usually has no symptoms, as they usually only appear in advanced stages of the disease. However, in some cases, tiredness, reduced appetite, cramps at night, difficulty concentrating and urinating more frequently can be observed.
To reduce the risk of kidney failure, some measures can be taken. First, periodic examinations should be performed to analyze the kidney's filtration rate, especially people at higher risk of developing the disease. Diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure must also be controlled. The use of alcoholic beverages, cigarettes and ingestion of large amounts of salt and proteins should be avoided, as well as the use of analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs without a prescription.
Treatment is based on pressure control and a protein-restricted diet in the early stages. As the disease progresses, some medications can be used to slow the process down. In the final stage of CRF, treatment with hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis or transplants is necessary.
THE hemodialysis it is a treatment based on the removal of toxic substances and excess that the kidney can no longer eliminate. Blood is removed from the patient's body and its filtration occurs in a device called a dialyzer, only after that, the blood is returned to the body.
Unlike hemodialysis, in peritoneal dialysis, impurities are removed from the blood through a substance (dialysis solution), thus it is not necessary to remove the blood from the body of the patient. The substance is placed in the abdomen area and then drained.
Early diagnosis is essential to delay the progression of the disease and ensure a better quality of life.
by Vanessa dos Santos
Graduated in Biology
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/doencas/insuficiencia-renal-cronica.htm
