Renal Failure Specialist

What is renal failure?

Renal failure is a condition that occurs when your kidneys aren’t working as well as they should. Your kidneys are responsible for cleaning waste from your blood and creating urine to eliminate waste from your body.

Your kidneys also ensure your blood has the right balance of essential minerals, including sodium and potassium, to support good health. They help make the hormones you need to create new red blood cells and regulate your blood pressure.

When any of these functions aren’t working properly, renal failure may be your diagnosis. Without the proper treatment, renal failure can continue to worsen until your kidneys may not function at all.

What are the signs of renal failure?

Your symptoms depend on the type of renal failure you have.

Acute renal failure

Acute renal failure symptoms may include swelling in your hands, face, and feet. You may also experience abnormal blood pressure levels, confusion, and even seizures as your kidneys stop filtering waste from your blood.

This type of renal failure can develop due to poor blood flow, such as after a surgery or an injury, or if you have kidney stones that suddenly block your kidney.

Chronic renal failure

Chronic renal failure occurs gradually over time and causes you to lose the function of your kidneys in stages. This condition typically develops due to underlying health conditions like chronic high blood pressure, uncontrolled diabetes, or polycystic kidney disease.

Early in chronic renal failure, you may not have any symptoms. However, as the condition worsens, you may experience:

• Chest pains
• Nausea and vomiting
• Shortness of breath
• Unexplained weight loss
• High blood pressure
• Discoloration of your skin
• Swelling in your face, hands, and feet
  
  

This type of renal failure can also lead to seizures or a potentially life-threatening coma. Your bones may become weak and more prone to fractures.

How is renal failure diagnosed?

It’s important to undergo a health evaluation if you have symptoms of renal failure or if you have a family history of the condition.

Dr. Mangoba can detect renal failure through a blood test. He evaluates your creatinine levels, which are molecules your muscles make, and healthy kidneys are able to remove from your bloodstream. If you have high levels of creatinine, it’s an indication that your kidneys aren’t effectively cleaning your blood.

In addition to confirming renal failure, Dr. Mangoba also determines the underlying cause of your condition, such as diabetes or high blood pressure.

How is renal failure treated?

To treat renal failure, Dr. Mangoba creates a comprehensive plan that addresses both the underlying cause of kidney failure as well as the renal failure itself.

Treating the underlying issues that contribute to renal failure often improves the health and function of your kidneys. However, if your kidney function falls below 10%, you may need dialysis.

Dialysis is a method of cleansing your blood using a filtering machine. This device removes the blood to clean it before returning it back to your body. You may need dialysis treatment several times a week to eliminate waste from your blood effectively. Dr. Mangoba can assist you in establishing your dialysis care at an area outpatient center.

If you have chronic kidney damage that continues to worsen, you may become a candidate for a kidney transplant. This procedure takes a healthy kidney from a donor to replace your dysfunctional kidney and improve your overall renal function.

If you have a family history or symptoms of renal failure, don’t delay an evaluation. You can call the office of Melanchton A. Mangoba, MD, or request an appointment online today.