What should I do about edema from chronic renal failure?

Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
Updated on September 23, 2024
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Chronic renal failure often leads to edema, which is a common symptom associated with the decreased ability of the kidneys to excrete water, resulting in significant water retention in the body. There are two treatment options for this disease. First, medication can be used, typically diuretics such as loop diuretics. After administration, the patient's urine output increases, which can help reduce edema. Second, for patients who do not respond well to medication, and in cases where edema leads to heart failure or pulmonary edema, dialysis treatment may be considered. Through dialysis ultrafiltration and dehydration, edema can also be alleviated.

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Written by Wu Ji
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Causes of Chronic Renal Failure

The causes of chronic renal failure mainly include primary and secondary glomerular diseases. Secondary glomerular diseases include diabetic nephropathy, hypertensive glomerulosclerosis, lupus nephritis, etc. They also include tubulointerstitial diseases such as chronic pyelonephritis, chronic uric acid nephropathy, obstructive nephropathy, drug-induced nephropathy, etc. In addition, there are also renal vascular diseases, hereditary kidney diseases, etc. In developed countries, diabetic nephropathy and hypertensive glomerulosclerosis have become the main causes of chronic renal failure. In developing countries, these two diseases still rank behind primary glomerulonephritis as causes of chronic renal failure, but there has been a noticeably increasing trend in recent years.

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Written by Zhang Hui
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Chronic Renal Failure Clinical Manifestations

Patients with chronic renal failure may exhibit fatigue, which is mainly due to anemia. Patients with stage three or higher chronic renal failure generally have anemia, which can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, palpitations, and pallor. Additionally, patients may experience nausea and vomiting, which are primarily caused by an increase in toxins. Furthermore, patients may also exhibit symptoms such as edema and shortness of breath, as individuals with chronic renal failure typically experience reduced urine output. A higher intake than output over time can lead to an increased circulating blood volume, resulting in heart failure.

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Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
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What is the blood pressure in chronic renal failure?

High blood pressure is a common complication of chronic renal failure, with about 70 to 80 percent of patients experiencing elevated blood pressure. Controlling blood pressure is also an important aspect of the treatment of chronic renal failure. Generally, it is best for such patients to keep their blood pressure below 130/80 mmHg, with systolic pressure below 130 mmHg and diastolic pressure below 80 mmHg. If a patient’s 24-hour urinary protein quantification exceeds 1 gram, the blood pressure control requirements are even more stringent, ideally below 125/75 mmHg. Adequately controlling blood pressure also helps to slow the progression of chronic renal failure.

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Written by Zhang Hui
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What is best to eat for chronic renal failure?

Patients with chronic renal failure are advised to adopt a low-salt, low-fat, and high-quality protein diet. For those not undergoing dialysis, protein intake should be strictly controlled to 0.6 to 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight per day. Additionally, patients with stage 3 CKD or above often experience electrolyte disorders, such as hyperkalemia, which can lead to cardiac arrest and arrhythmias. Therefore, it is important to avoid foods high in potassium, such as bananas, oranges, dates, kiwis, and tomatoes. Due to the strict protein intake, hypoproteinemia may occur, and these patients are also prone to hyperphosphatemia. It is recommended to choose foods with a low phosphorus to protein ratio, generally those with a ratio below fifteen. After starting dialysis, the same principles apply, but protein intake can be slightly increased, as some protein is lost during both hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. The protein intake can be adjusted to 1.0 to 1.2 grams per kilogram of body weight per day, while still controlling phosphorus and potassium intake.

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Can people with chronic renal failure drink alcohol?

Patients with chronic renal failure should avoid drinking alcohol, as modern medicine has proven that alcohol is harmful to the human body and only causes damage. It can affect various systems, including the nervous system, respiratory system, circulatory system, and the metabolic system. Although the liver is the primary site for metabolizing alcohol, the byproducts of alcohol metabolism are ultimately excreted through urine, which increases the burden on the kidneys. Therefore, for patients with renal failure, drinking alcohol may lead to further progression of kidney damage. Moreover, when drinking, patients might consume a lot of high-protein and high-fat foods, which are also harmful to those with chronic renal failure.