Chronic Renal Failure
Alternate Names : CRF, Chronic Kidney Failure
Chronic renal failure, called CRF, is a disease in which the kidneys
gradually stop working. As a rule, this process takes place over a period of a few years.
What is going on in the body?
In a healthy body, the kidneys filter waste and other impurities from the
blood. These wastes are then excreted from the body in the urine. In people with CRF,
toxins that the kidneys fail to get rid of build up slowly in the body. Two of the most
common toxins are urea, a nitrogen waste product, and creatinine. The amount of
toxins that remains in the blood is a rough measure of how well the kidneys are working
at any given time.
What are the causes and risks of the disease?
A primary kidney disease may cause CRF. But it may also be due to
other diseases that affect kidneys, such as diabetes
or high blood pressure.
Other common causes include:
glomerulonephritis,
the swelling of the glomerulus, which is a part of the kidney made up of blood vessels
and nerve fibers
interstitial disease, a disease within the cell walls of the kidney
multiple myeloma,
which is also known as a cancer of the bone marrow
obstructive uropathy, a condition in which the flow of urine is blocked
polycystic kidneys,
a condition in which the kidneys become enlarged and grow cysts
systemic lupus erythematosus,
a long-term disease that affects many parts of the body, including the kidneys
Everyone is at risk for chronic renal failure as they age. But some people
are at greater risk, such as:
African Americans
males
those who have a family history of the disease
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