Transplant Essentials

Kidney Failure

Kidney failure can be acute or chronic.
Acute is described as acute kidney injury refers to recent (days to weeks) worsening of kidney function and
Chronic Kidney failure may occur over many years with the patient not knowing they had any problems. It may be mild or severe.

Chronic kidney disease is an entity where in an individual has permanent kidney disease and the severity can range from mild to severe.

Chronic kidney disease has 5 stages.
They are staged according the degree or percent kidney function that is remaining due to permanent damage.
Stage 0 is normal or when GFR (% kidney function) is 100%,
Stage 1 is when GFR (% kidney function) is > 90,
Stage 2 is when GFR (% kidney function) is between 60- 90,
Stage 3 is when GFR (% kidney function) is between 30- 59 and
Stage 4 is when GFR (% kidney function) is between 15- 29 and
Stage 5 is when GFR (% kidney function) is less than 15 or when patient is on dialysis.

Stage III and IV are considered as moderate to severe kidney failure.
Patients with this stage may require dialysis or transplantation in near future.
Stage V refers to kidney failure requiring dialysis treatment or close to needing dialysis.

A kidney doctor should see all patients with kidney failure Based on severity and stage of kidney failure you can be managed by a kidney doctor or combination of kidney doctor and your primary care MD.

Good Blood Pressure control and diabetes control can delay progression to severe kidney failure.
Weight reduction in obese patients may be beneficial.
Avoiding medications such as NSAID (IBUPROFEN, ADVIL and ALEVE), which can make kidney function further worse.
Periodic monitoring of kidney function as directed by the kidney doctor or primary care doctor.