Kidney failure

• What are the 2 types of kidney failure?

  Acute and chronic
• What are the characteristics of acute kidney failure?

  • develops within hours/days
  • chance of kidney function recovery
  • traumatic (e.g. post surgical)
  • part of multi-organ failure
• What are the characteristics of chronic kidney failure?

  • develops over years
  • irreversible at the end
  • secondary to high blood pressure/diabetes
  • cystic kidneys
• Why is controlling protein in the diet important after kidney failure?

  • high protein increases urea levels
  • urea is converted into uric acid which can crystallise and form kidney stones which can tear and damage tissues
  • low protein results in accumulation of fluid in the tissues, lowering of blood pressure and reduction of kidney function
• Why is controlling blood pressure important for kidney function?

  • high blood pressure can cause excessive filtration by the glomerulus and loss of nutrients
  • high blood pressure also leads to damage to the glomerulus which can lead to cells and plasma proteins being lost in the urine