How is kidney failure diagnosed and treated?
Doctors use a variety of tests to measure kidney function and diagnose kidney failure. If doctors suspect that you may be at risk for kidney failure, they may recommend blood and urine tests, CT scans, or MRIs. Kidney failure treatment depends on whether you have an acute or chronic form and on the cause of the condition. With acute kidney failure patients are transferred to the ICU right away and admitted to hospital, where they receive intense medication treatment for their underlying disease and kidney failure. In some cases, dialysis may be required.
If the kidneys start losing their function gradually, the doctor may use one or more methods to keep the kidneys alive. You may be prescribed some medications and offered to make lifestyle changes, in more complex cases dialysis or a kidney transplant may be required.
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When to see a doctor?
If you are at higher risk for kidney failure, make sure to have an annual check-up. See your doctor if you start noticing signs like changes in your urine volume and color, constant fatigue, or swollen legs and feet. The more you know about your kidney health, the less likely you are to develop serious kidney conditions in the future.
