Life expectancy
Chronic renal insufficiency can be divided into different stages. In some cases, it is possible to stop the progression of the insufficiency by specific treatment and a change in diet. Untreated, however, the disease almost always has a progressive course which ends in stage 4, terminal renal failure.
In terminal renal failure, dialysis therapy is necessary as a life-sustaining measure. Without this therapy the organism would not be able to compensate the weak function of the kidneys and the affected person would die. A kidney transplant can usually significantly improve the life expectancy of the affected person.
Nevertheless, life expectancy remains reduced with dialysis therapy as well as after the transplantation of a new kidney. This is due to a number of different factors. On the one hand, the risk of a serious infection is greatly increased if the dialysis therapy is performed permanently.
On the other hand, the transplantation of the new organ can lead to complications. Finally, people suffering from stage 4 chronic renal failure also frequently suffer from diseases that are themselves associated with a reduced life expectancy. In particular, the presence of diseases such as coronary heart disease (CHD), heart failure or dilatation of the left ventricle (left ventricular hypertrophy) are reasons why affected persons have a shortened life expectancy.
Nutrition
Nutrition plays a decisive role both in the prevention of chronic renal insufficiency and in the treatment of the disease. In the prevention of chronic renal insufficiency, the development of diabetes mellitus as well as the development of high blood pressure can be prevented by proper nutrition. Physical activity also plays an important role.
The right diet is also an important part of the treatment of chronic renal insufficiency. Care should be taken to follow a low-salt diet in order not to further damage the function of the kidneys. Likewise, a diet rich in protein, potassium or calcium should be avoided. The treating nephrologist, a specialist for kidney diseases, as well as a nutritionist can give tips on how the diet plan should be designed in case of existing kidney insufficiency in order to ensure the best treatment success.
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