Surviving John

Kidney failure is a very dangerous kidney problem. It may even be fatal. At the the very least, it may require a lifetime of kidney dialysis, or the need for a kidney transplant.

Symptoms of kidney failure are rarely obvious or easily identifiable before the disease has progressed to the later stages.

A change in your body chemistry may be the first symptom that kidney failure is in progress as your electrolyte readings become abnormal. Kidney function also begins to deteriorate. Two of the major jobs performed by the kidneys – eliminating excess fluids and filtering out toxins – start to degrade.

There’s also a drop in the production of red blood cells (one of the other important roles played by the kidneys).

Even if your kidneys are 80 percent impaired, they can still function and keep you alive. But the longer you wait, the more likely you are to experience these symptoms of kidney failure:

* general fatigue,
* a general feeling that you don’t have much strength or vitality,
* difficulty breathing,
* generalized swelling.

If symptoms of kidney failure are not treated, a life-threatening situation can arise, including:

Not enough red blood cells – Muscles and tissues won’t get the oxygen they need. This leads to weakness and fatigue.

Failure to excrete potassium properly – The heart may also be in danger due to the inability to excrete potassium. Rising potassium levels can lead to fatal heart rhythm problems.

Metabolic acidosis – This results when your body isn’t manufacturing enough bicarbonate, which causes higher than normal acid levels. This can alter enzyme and oxygen metabolism, leading to kidney failure.

Uremia – Urea is a waste produced that results from the digestion of protein. Our kidneys filter it from our blood and it is passed out of the body in urine. When urea begins to build up in your system, it can cause problems with your heart, brain and muscles. The following symptoms become more pronounced

* decreased appetite
* low energy levels and even extreme fatigue,
* decreased cognitive functioning and an inability to think clearly.

By the time these symptoms begin to appear, the kidneys are severely damaged and coma is a possibility.

At this stage of kidney failure, your body has to fight off numerous challenges. Excess fluid builds up and causes increased blood pressure. The risk of congestive heart failure also rises dramatically. Breathing becomes extremely rapid as the body fights to get enough oxygen.

Medical intervention is critical at this point if the patient is to survive.

If you want more information on topics related to this article, click on Kidney Failure: What Are the Symptoms?. George McKenzie is a retired TV anchor, medical reporter and radio talk show host. He has a special interest in kidney-related issues, and is a frequent contributor to Kidney Problems and You, a resource website about kidney health and wellness.

When part or all of a kidney is removed in surgery, the procedure is called a nephrectomy. It may also be referred to as nephrectomy surgery. When when the kidney can no longer function properly because of disease or damage, kidney removal surgery or a nephrectomy may be become necessary.

One of the many important functions of the kidneys is filtering and removing toxins and wastes from the blood. This cleaning process the way urine is produced.

A nephrectomy is done as a solution to one of several possible kidney problems. Kidney cancer and kidney failure are two of the most typical reasons for a nephrectomy.

Removing an entire kidney is called a complete or radical nephrectomy procedure. A partial nephrectomy procedure describes the removal of a section, but not all of the kidney. A third type of nephrectomy is called a donor nephrectomy. This means someone donates a healthy kidney to another person who needs a kidney transplant.

Generally speaking, there are two different types of operations used for kidney removal.

1. Laparoscopic Nephrectomy – The surgeon makes several small incisions. A tube with a small camera attached to it is placed in one of them. Instruments for performing the surgery are placed in the others. The surgeon uses the camera to guide his or her movements in using the instruments to remove all or part of the kidney.

2. Open Nephrectomy – This type of nephrectomy procedure involves one large open incision rather than several small ones. The surgeon removes as much tissue as necessary through the large incision. This is the “traditional” method of kidney removal, and requires a longer recovery period.

Your surgeon will discuss with you which type of nephrectomy is more appropriate in your situation. The decision will depend on why you need the surgery and how much of the kidney needs to be removed.

What factors determine how much tissue must be removed from the kidney?

The first factor is the amount of damage to the kidney, or how much of it has been affected by disease. The doctor will have to find out if the problem affects only one area or only one kidney. He or she will want to ascertain if affects nearby tissue or the other kidney.

There are several types of tests that will help answer these questions. They include:

Ultrasound – This test uses sound waves to create a picture of the kidney and the tissues around it.

Computerized Tomography – This technology uses special X-rays to produce computer-enhanced pictures of thin, cross-section “slices” of tissues in the kidneys. It is also refered to as CT or CT scanning.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging – This type of technology employs radio waves and a magnetic field to produce computer-enhanced 3-dimensional views of the kidney. Also known as an”MRI.”

Your doctor will evaluate the results of these various tests and suggest the appropriate surgical procedure for you.

Recovery time from nephrectomy surgery depends on a number of factors. Your overall health and the type of procedure that was done are important.

Kidney removal surgery can sometimes have post-surgery complications like hypertension and chronic kidney disease. in an overwhelming majority of cases, the patient can live a happy, healthy life with the remaining kidney tissue – even though overall kidney function will be less than normal.

You can get additional information on this and related similar subject matter by clicking kidney removal surgery, nephrectomy or kidney problems.

A possibly-fatal kidney problem or other organ damage may result from using certain imported skin bleaching products, according to a recent investigative report published in the Chicago Tribune newspaper.

The Tribune examined about fifty skin bleaching creams and lotions and found that some contained , and this is a quote, “toxic” levels of mercury. The results were published in mid-May, 2010.

The products are supposed to lighten age spots and freckles

Mercury is dangerous to humans because it can cause damage to a variety of organs including the heart, lungs and kidneys. Kidney problems, possibly including irreversible kidney failure, are one of the biggest threats.

When kidney failure takes place, treatment possibilities become limited. There are only two ways to save your life: these include kidney transplant operation or kidney dialysis (also called renal dialysis).

Excessive mercury levels can get into the bloodstream after being spread on the skin. The degree of danger varies according to body weight and a number of other factors. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency considers anything above one gram of mercury per kilogram (2.2 pounds) to be excessive. Doses that exceed the maximum can put humans at risk for life-threatening disorders. Minute doses can accumulate over an extended period of time, creating long term ill-effects.

Mercury can trigger vision problems, blurred vision and trouble walking. It can cause organs to malfunction, and in certain cases, result in death. Mercury can be especially dangerous for the fetuses of pregnant women, infants and small children.

Mercury has been illegal for use in skin creams and lotions since 1990 when it was banned by the FDA. The Tribune’s investigation discovered that products are readily available nonetheless. The FDA told the Tribune that it has fewer than 500 inspectors who can investigate imported products, making it possible for some products to slip through the regulatory cracks .

Approximately 50 skin cream samples were sent to to an independent laboratory for testing. 6 included mercury levels that exceeded legal limits in the United States. Five of the six had levels of 6,000 parts per million of mercury, which is high enough to cause kidney damage .

The products came to the U.S. from Lebanon, China, India, Pakistan and Taiwan

One Chicago dermatologist, Dr. Jonith Breadon, said he was “shocked and speechless” that products with such high mercury content in them are so readily available.

Retailers who had the creams and lotions in stock and promised to remove them. Two companies that were distributing the products say they will discontinue them.

Skin lightening creams and lotions have become big sellers in the U.S. in recent years. Sales have been high among Asian, Hispanic and African-American ethnic groups. Sales are expected to exceed 75 million annually by 2015.

Among the other skin lightening products tested during the investigation, the highest amounts of mercury were found in a product called Stillman’s Skin Bleach Cream. Other products wereTop-Gel MCA Extra Pearl Cream, Creme Diana CTR, Ling Ji Su, Lulanjina, and Shabright Clear and Bright Skin Formula.

Many popular skin care products tested by the Tribune contained no mercury at all.

Read more about these kidney problems and others by visiting http://www.kidney-problem.org.

Several doctors who spoke to Tribune reporters said that anyone who wants a safe skin lightening product can get one by prescription. They also stressed that such products should be used only for lightening spots and freckles, not to bleach skin that is naturally dark.

Lern more about other kidney problems and related topics by visiting http://www.kidney-problem.org.