The two bean-shaped organs (about the size of a fist), that are located just below the rib cage, one on each side of your spine are called Kidneys. The function of the kidney is to filter your blood, removing wastes and extra water.

The waste in the form of urine flows from the kidneys to the bladder through two thin tubes called ureters. Your kidneys are an essential organ and the major component of your urinary tract.

Importance of Kidneys

Apart from removing wastes and extra fluid from your body, kidneys also remove acid produced by your body’s cells.  Kidneys help to maintain a healthy balance of water, salts, and minerals like sodium, calcium, phosphorus, and potassium in your blood.

This balance is essential to make your nerves, muscles, and other tissues in your body work normally.

Kidneys also make hormones that help

• control your blood pressure
• make red blood cells NIH external link
• keep your bones strong and healthy

What is Kidney Failure?

Kidney failure also referred to as renal failure or renal dysfunction means one or both kidneys can no longer function well on their own. Sometimes the failure is temporary and comes on quickly. It can also be a chronic condition that worsens slowly over a long time.

During a renal dysfunction or kidney failure, one or both the kidneys stop working and are not able to remove waste and extra water from the blood and keep body chemicals in balance.

Causes of Kidney Failure

Diabetes and high blood pressure are the most common causes of kidney failure. Sometimes, kidney failure also happens quickly due to any unforeseen cause.

Acute kidney failure (or acute kidney injury) is when the kidneys lose function suddenly (within hours or days). This type of kidney failure could be temporary. Common causes of acute kidney failure can include:

• Autoimmune kidney diseases
• Certain medications
• Severe dehydration
• A urinary tract obstruction
• Uncontrolled Hypertension or Diabetes mellitus
• Uncontrolled systemic diseases like heart or liver disease
• Congenital causes

Renal dysfunction usually doesn’t happen overnight. If you have chronic kidney disease (a group of health conditions that affect how well your kidneys function) and if it’s left untreated, can lead to kidney failure.

Symptoms of Kidney Failure

During the early stages of kidney disease, people experience few or no symptoms. But chronic kidney disease can still cause damage even though you feel fine.

You may notice one or more of the following signs if your kidneys aren’t working properly:

• Fatigue (extreme tiredness)
• An upset stomach or vomiting
• Confusion or trouble concentrating
• Swelling, especially around your hands or ankles
• More frequent bathroom trips
• Muscle spasms (muscle cramps)
• Dry or itchy skin
• Poor appetite or metallic taste of food

Diagnosis of Renal Dysfunction

A set of tests help to measure kidney function and diagnose kidney failure. If you are suspected to be at risk for kidney failure, you’ll be recommended to do the following procedures:

Blood tests

Knowing how well the kidneys are performing is essential and blood tests help to determine whether the kidneys are showing any problems related to removing waste from the blood. Tests that are done to check the renal functions include:

• Urea, creatinine, Uric Acid, and Albumin tests. These help to determine the functioning of the kidneys.
• Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) is a blood test that checks how well your kidneys are working. A GFR test estimates how much blood passes through the tiny filters called Glomeruli in your kidney each minute.
• Cystatin C measures the amount of a protein called cystatin C in your blood. This is a fairly sensitive blood test to look at your kidney health. As kidney function deteriorates, an increase in cystatin C occurs as the GFR falls. This is often detectable before there is a measurable decrease in kidney function (GFR). A cystatin C test may be used as an alternative to creatinine and creatinine clearance to screen for and monitor kidney dysfunction in those with known or suspected kidney disease.

Urine tests

Help to measure the amount of urine or specific substances in the urine, such as protein or Creatinine. Tests include:

• Urine 24 hours protein, creatinine – This test is conducted in a 24hrs Urine sample. A 24-hour urine protein test is performed if you have symptoms of glomerulonephritis or nephrotic syndrome. Other types of kidney disease or other conditions that affect the kidneys are also sufficient reasons to order the test.

• Protein creatinine ratio – This test helps to monitor kidney functioning, checks for damage in case of the condition affecting the kidney, and the efficacy of treatment on already affected kidneys.

Advanced imaging

Indicates kidney function abnormalities or obstructions (blockages).

Is It Possible to Prevent Kidney Failure?

Though kidney failure from chronic kidney disease can’t be reversed, you can do things that help to preserve kidney function. Healthy habits will slow down how quickly kidneys lose their functional abilities.

If you are already a victim of chronic kidney disease or kidney failure, you should:

• Monitor your kidney function.
• Keep your blood sugar levels under control.
• Keep your blood pressure levels in a normal range.
• Avoid smoking.
• Make healthy diet choices and limit foods high in protein and sodium.