When the kidneys stop functioning; it leads to retension of water and waste (poisonous) substances in the circulation; condition is called 'Kidney Failure'. When stoppage occurs due to sudden blockage of blood supply to both kidneys or blockage by stones, sudden 'acute kidney failure', occurs. If the kidneys stop working gradually over weeks and months. It is called 'chronic kidney failure'; common causes are : diabetes mellitus, hypertension, chronic glomerulonephritis, bilateral kidney stones with chronic infection (chronic pylonephrits), prolonged exposure to pain killers/NSAIDS) antibiotics etc. When kidney function is reduced to 5 percent and the damage caused is permanent, end stage kidney disease (ESRD)/Occurs patient can survive only on regular dialysis or after kidney transplantation.
Besides the basic (1) Urine test of red colour urine (blood cells positive, protein test ++ glomerulonephritis ); sugar (diabetes); pus cells (cystitis, pfelonepnitis ) crytals (kidney stones) / elevated blood urea, creatinine, potassium and fall of hemoglobin occur.
' When only 5 percent of kidney function is left, life can only be sustained either on regular maintenance dialysis or by kidney transplantation. Patients our 65 years, younger subjects with severe heart disease or those with primary kidney disease having high chances of recurrence in the transplanted kidney are advised to remain on dialysis; all younger patients are strongly advised to get kidney transplant done; diabetes is no longer a contraindication today.