Unlike acute renal failure, chronic renal failure slowly gets worse. It most often results from any disease that causes gradual loss of kidney function. It can range from mild dysfunction to severe kidney failure. The disease may lead to end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
Chronic renal failure usually occurs over a number of years as the internal structures of the kidney are slowly damaged. In the early stages, there may be no symptoms. In fact, progression may be so slow that symptoms do not occur until kidney function is less than one-tenth of normal.
Chronic renal failure and ESRD affect more than 2 out of 1,000 people in the United States. Diabetes and high blood pressure are the two most common causes and account for most cases. Other major causes include:
Chronic renal failure results in an accumulation of fluid and waste products in the body, leading to a build up of nitrogen waste products in the blood (azotemia) and general ill health. Most body systems are affected by chronic renal failure.
Acute kidney failure (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Acute (sudden) kidney failure is the sudden loss of the ability of the kidneys to remove waste and concentrate urine without losing electrolytes. Reviewer: Parul Patel, MD, Private Practice specializing in Nephrology and Kidney and Pancreas Transplantation, Affiliated with California Pacific Medical Center, Department of Transplantation, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 07/11/2008
Peritonitis - dialysis associated (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Dialysis-associated peritonitis is inflammation of the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneum), which occurs in those who receive peritoneal dialysis. Reviewer: Daniel Levy, MD, PhD, Infectious Diseases, Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 10/15/2008
End-stage kidney disease (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
End-stage kidney disease is the complete, or almost complete failure of the kidneys to function. The kidneys can no longer remove wastes, concentrate urine, and regulate electrolytes. Reviewer: Parul Patel, MD, Private practice specializing in Nephrology, Kidney and Pancreas Transplantation, affiliated with California Pacific Medical Center Department of Transplantation, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 11/15/2008
Renovascular hypertension (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Renovascular hypertension is high blood pressure due to narrowing of the arteries that carry blood to the kidneys. It is a form of secondary hypertension. See also: Drug-induced hypertension; Essential hypertension; Malignant hypertension; Renal artery stenosis. Reviewer: Parul Patel, MD, Private Practice specializing in Nephrology and Kidney and Pancreas Transplantation, Affiliated with California Pacific Medical Center, Department of Transplantation, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 04/14/2008
Chronic bilateral obstructive uropathy (2 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Chronic bilateral obstructive uropathy is a long-term blockage of urine flow from both kidneys. It is a slow blockage that gets worse over time. Bilateral means "both sides." See also: Chronic unilateral obstructive uropathy; Acute unilateral obstructive uropathy; Acute bilateral obstructive uropathy. Reviewer: Marc A. Greenstein, D.O., F.A.C.O.S. Urologist, Somerset Medical Center in Somerville, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 01/24/2008
Prerenal azotemia (2 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Prerenal azotemia is an abnormally high level of nitrogen-type wastes in the blood. Reviewer: Parul Patel, MD, Private Practice specializing in Nephrology and Kidney and Pancreas Transplantation, affiliated with California Pacific Medical Center, Department of Transplantation, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 02/07/2008
Renal and urological disorders (2 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Renal disorders are diseases of the kidneys. Urological disorders are diseases of the kidneys/urinary tract. Reviewer: Charles Silberberg, DO, Private Practice specializing in Nephrology, Affiliated with NY Medical College, Division of Nephrology, Valhalla, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 08/14/2007
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