Kidney failure: When the body’s inner filter system malfunctions

The kidney’s many functions
As one of the detoxifying organs of the body, the kidney takes on a variety of tasks: It not only removes metabolic waste products (so-called excreted substances), drugs and toxins by filtering the blood and later expelling these through our urine. The kidney further regulates water, acid-base and electrolyte levels and also helps with the production of important hormones. These hormones include the active form of vitamin D3 (calcitriol), which plays a central role in bone metabolism, and erythropoietin (EPO). Because EPO directs bone marrow to produce red blood cells (erythrocytes), it is often used as a doping agent in competitive sports.  

Besides those functions, the kidney also takes part in the regulation of our blood pressure by measuring the blood flow within the kidney itself through special receptors. When the blood pressure drops, the kidney releases renin, a hormone which increases the blood pressure by a hormonal cascade.

What is renal insufficiency?

Kidney failure, also known as renal failure or renal insufficiency, is a medical condition of impaired kidney function. It can be acute or chronic. Acute insufficiency is usually developed over hours and days, and is often reversible. Causes for an acute renal insufficiency include blood loss, loss of fluids, burns, sepsis or cardiac arrest. However, chronic renal insufficiency develops over a longer period of time. Usually, chronic renal insufficiency is irreversible and seems to be the result of long-term diabetes mellitus or arterial hypertension. We speak of a chronic insufficiency when the kidneys show an impairing structural or functional abnormality for more than three months. The chronic insufficiency often advances and can lead to renal failure in the final stage. The progressive course of the chronic disease can, in its final stages, lead to complete kidney failure.

Symptoms and consequences

Once the kidney stops functioning properly, all involved regulation tasks are affected. With the advancement of the disease, the amount of urine produced decreases and the body can no longer excrete water and salt. This results in overhydration and a buildup of fluids, also called fluid retention or edema, such as in the legs or the lungs. The fluid volume in the vessels also increases and blood pressure consequently rises. Renal insufficiency also causes a dangerous imbalance in electrolyte and acid-base levels. This imbalance can lead to a lowering of the blood’s pH-value and result in hyperacidity (acidosis) and cardiac arrhythmia. The build up of urinary excreted substances in the blood leads to a uremia, which can first manifest from itching, headaches and loss of concentration. Serious symptoms such as seizures, pericardial inflammation and ascites occur at an advanced stage.

Treatment
Above all, the underlying cause of the disease needs be treated first. For chronic renal insufficiency, it is crucial to adjust the blood glucose levels and blood pressure properly for the treatment to be effective. Apart from that, the focus of treatment is on controlling signs and symptoms to prevent edema formation, by closely monitoring the patient’s intake of liquids and salt. Depending on the stage of the disease, further measures can be taken which include the use of diuretics (drugs that get rid of excess water) and hormonal substitutes, for hormones that are produced by the kidney. However, terminal renal failure requires a kidney transplant or regular dialysis.

Benefits of the seca mBCA

For patients suffering from kidney failure, close monitoring of the body composition and, above all, the degree of hydration, is essential in recognizing any buildup of fluids before they develop into noticeable edema. Using the 
seca mBCA, the body’s composition can be measured quickly and accurately with the noninvasive use of the bio-impedance analysis. The scales can reliably detect even the slightest shift in fluid or changes in muscle and fat mass. Thanks to its accuracy and easy handling, the seca mBCA is particularly suitable as a screening method. It can help diagnose any changes of hydration level in the early stages and therefore optimize treatment. In this way, the long-term prognosis and the patient’s quality of life are improved.

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