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What Happens If Kidney Fails Completly

By Padmapreetham Mahalingam

Kidneys are the organs that try to sift the metabolic waste from your blood. They are mostly involved in controlling blood pressure and red blood cell production in the body.

There can be acute kidney failure when your kidney starts to lose the ability to eliminate fluids and waste materials from the blood.

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So, what happens if your kidney fails completely? Kidney failure would impinge on your health in several ways. Symptoms of kidney failure are caused by the buildup of metabolic waste in the body.

And this would cause some health problems such anaemia, shortness of breath and the inability to get rid of the potassium, which would in turn lead to abnormal heart rhythms.

Some people would experience fatigue, itching, weak bones, joint problems, depression, loss of appetite and leg cramps.

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The setback of kidney failure is because of the dissipated products that have increased in the blood, which is a condition referred to as uraemia. There are numerous causes for kidney failure.

Yet if there is a chronic kidney failure, all you need to do is to opt for dialysis treatment or a new kidney. Here are the effects of a complete kidney failure on the body.

Anaemia

Anaemia

Anaemia is a condition in which the body will have fewer red blood cells than normal. When there is not enough haemoglobin to carry oxygen around the body, it would cause anaemia. A normal kidney would secrete a hormone referred to as Erythropoietin. This is the hormone that tries to regularise the production of red blood cells.

The acute kidney disease can cause anaemia, which especially occurs due to the deficiency of erythropoietin (EPO). EPO indicates the bone marrow to make red blood cells. When the kidneys aren't working, your body will not be able to make enough red blood cells. The kidneys will not be able to generate enough EPO that is essential for creating new red blood cells.

Irregular Imbalance

Irregular Imbalance

When the kidneys are not able to detach certain chemicals like potassium, acids and phosphate, then the body would experience an irregular heartbeat as well as muscle weakness.

Loss Of Bones

Loss Of Bones

People suffering from acute kidney failure would experience their bones getting weaker as well as thinner over the days. Having renal failure causes weakness and loss of bones in the body. The abnormal levels of substances like vitamin D, calcium and phosphate would lead to bone diseases. Chronic kidney failure would make the blood to become more acidic, cause nerve damage and even the bone tissue to deteriorate.

Decreased Libido

Decreased Libido

Having to deal with the health problems caused by kidney disease is indeed difficult. Kidney failure would inflict havoc in your sex life. A chronic kidney disease can have an impact on your self image as well as your sexuality. Fertility would be affected, especially in the later stages of the disease. Decreased libido would occur due to renal failure.

Gastrointestinal Ulcers

Gastrointestinal Ulcers

People in the advanced stage of chronic kidney disease are likely to develop gastrointestinal ulcers, which can be difficult to get rid of if not treated at the right time and stage.

High Levels Of Potassium

High Levels Of Potassium

Patients suffering from kidney failure can have potential complications such as sudden rise in the potassium levels in their blood, which could hamper the heart's ability to function normally. It can even be life threatening.

Blood Pressure

Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is a cause of concern. It is one of the effects on the body after a complete kidney failure. High blood pressure is a leading cause for kidney failure. High BP is also a major risk factor for heart disease.

Fluid Retention

Fluid Retention

When your kidney begins to decline fluids and salts, these substances would ultimately start to increase in the body. A fluid buildup can cause heart failure and pulmonary oedema. Kidney failure can make the organ function to get impaired and, at the same time, it does cause dangerous levels of waste to dwell in the body. These are some of the problems that your body can go through due to a complete kidney failure.

Story first published: Wednesday, March 30, 2016, 17:23 [IST]
Read more about: kidney failure body side effects