Kidney Failure: A Serious, Potentially Fatal Condition

Renal (kidney) failure occurs when the organs lose their ability to filter out wastes. Toxins build up in the body as a result. Without treatment, the condition is fatal. Over 67,000 Americans die of renal failure every year.

Two different forms of the disease exist: acute and chronic renal failure. If kidney function stops suddenly, the disease is considered acute. Acute renal failure (ARF) is often caused by physical injury or surgical complications, or by blockages in the blood vessels leading to the kidney. Often, ARF is treatable, with long-term survival rates of sixty percent. Chronic renal failure (CRF) occurs over time and gradually destroys the kidneys' structures. CRF is often due to existing medical conditions, the most common of which are hypertension and diabetes. Kidney cysts and stones, kidney inflammation, chronic use of over the counter painkillers, and hereditary disorders of the kidney can also contribute to renal failure.

This section is divided into multiple articles covering:

• Renal Failure Symptoms
• Causes of Renal Failure
• Renal Failure Diagnosis
• The Renal Diet
• Treatment for Kidney Failure.