Introduction
Chronic renal insufficiency is a serious disease that affects the organ system of the kidneys. The kidneys perform a number of important and essential tasks in the human body without which a person could not survive. In chronic renal failure, this important organ system is damaged.
Renal insufficiency is defined as a kidney function performance of 15% or less compared to the norm. The kidneys intervene in many different systems of the body. In addition to regulating the acid-base balance and controlling the electrolyte concentration, the kidneys perform a filter function in the body.
The blood is filtered and certain substances are excreted in the urine. These substances, of particular importance are urea, creatinine and uric acid, increase in concentration due to the low kidney performance in the case of chronic renal insufficiency in the body and can only be removed from the body by transplantation of a healthy kidney or artificial kidney replacement (dialysis). and tasks of the kidney
Causes
The causes for the development of chronic renal insufficiency are manifold. In order to be able to better design prophylaxis before the development of the disease, research into the causes behind the development of chronic renal insufficiency has been strongly promoted in recent years. Intensive research has shown that certain diseases are particularly often associated with the development of chronic renal insufficiency.
It is estimated that about 30% of people with chronic renal failure are caused by pre-existing diabetes mellitus. High blood pressure is also considered a risk factor for the development of chronic renal failure. Inflammatory diseases of the kidneys and autoimmune diseases can also be responsible for the development of chronic renal insufficiency. In about 10% of people who are chronically ill due to renal failure, no cause for the development of the disease can be found.
Symptoms
The kidney fulfils a number of important tasks in the body, which intervene in the most diverse systems. It is clear, for example, that a functional disorder of the kidneys can lead to a wide range of symptoms caused by the reduced performance of the organ system. As the disease progresses, the symptoms typically increase in both intensity and number.
Initially, unspecific symptoms such as headaches and concentration disorders are typical. The disease usually becomes noticeable by water retention in the legs or face. Disorders of the water and electrolyte balance reflect the influence of the kidneys on these systems in the body.
The acid-base balance is also influenced by the kidney, which is why chronic renal insufficiency, if not treated, can lead to disturbances of this system in the form of metabolic acidosis. Increased itching on the skin is also particularly common. The skin may also appear slightly yellowish and a urine smell may be noticeable. If the kidneys have a long-term functional impairment, changes in the skeleton of the bone can occur, resulting in an increased tendency to fracture. Striking bad breath and occasional vomiting or nausea are also symptoms of renal insufficiency.
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