Kidney Failure Treatment in Orange County, CA

Kidney failure is the final stage in chronic kidney disease. Over time, kidney disease will continue to worsen until eventually the kidneys are no longer able to perform essential functions to filter waste from the body. This stage is also known as end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

At Southland Urology, our board-certified urologists specialize in providing comprehensive treatment for kidney failure. They will take the time to evaluate, diagnose, and discover the best treatment option available to you. If you have any questions or would like schedule an appointment, please call our offices in Fullerton or Yorba Linda at (714) 870-5970.

What Causes Kidney Failure?

As mentioned, kidney failure is often a result of chronic kidney disease. This may be brought on by a variety of factors, including:

• Poor blood flow to the kidneys
• A concentration of toxins in the kidneys
• Uncontrolled diabetes
• Blockages within the urinary tract
• Infection
• Nerve damage to nearby organs such as the bladder
• High blood pressure
• Inflammation
• Side effects of certain medications (particularly those used to treat cancer patients)
• An autoimmune disease like lupus

There is another type of kidney failure that can cause severe symptoms immediately, rather than worsening slowly over time. This condition is known as acute kidney failure, and is often brought on suddenly but is not always permanent.

What Are The Signs & Symptoms of Kidney Failure?

Early signs of kidney disease can be quite difficult to detect, as they often include:

• Difficulty sleeping
• Itchiness
• Swelling of the lower extremities
• Loss of appetite
• Muscle cramping
• Frequent urination or weak urine stream
• Nausea

Because the list of symptoms above are rather nonspecific, individuals with chronic kidney disease will often not begin to address their symptoms until their condition gradually deteriorates. The result is for the patient to remain undiagnosed until their kidneys have suffered extensive damage.

More alarming symptoms that are often associated with late-stage kidney disease or acute kidney failure include:

• Vomiting
• Pain in the abdomen or back
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Frequent nosebleeds
• Rash

What Are the Available Kidney Failure Treatment Options?

Once a patient has been diagnosed with kidney failure, their treatment options become rather limited.

Dialysis

At this point, the individual may receive regular dialysis treatments to maintain proper bodily functions. During these treatments the patient will be connected to a machine emulates basic kidney functions. Any person on dialysis also needs to follow a particular dietary plan to avoid elements like potassium and salt that are especially hard on the kidneys.

Dialysis is not able to cure kidney failure, but rather, it provides a temporary solution while most individuals with kidney failure wait to receive a kidney transplant.

Kidney Transplant

Patients who are fortunate enough to receive a kidney transplant will ideally be able to permanently address symptoms associated with kidney failure. This option offers a great benefit of being free of limitations that relate to dialysis, such as frequent treatments and a restricted diet.

A kidney transplant is a surgical procedure involves removing the diseased kidney and replace it with a healthy, donated kidney. Although we are all born with two kidneys, only one is truly necessary for performing essential bodily functions.