Kidney disease, chronic electrolytes

Kidney Failure, Chronic An irreversible and usually progressive reduction in renal function in which both kidneys have been damaged by a variety of diseases to the extent that they are unable to adequately remove the metabolic products from the blood and regulate the body s electrolyte composition and acid-base balance. Chronic kidney failure requires hemodialysis or surgery, usually kidney transplantation. [NIH]... 

Inhalant abuse can result in kidney stones, severe kidney damage, and acute kidney failure. Electrolyte imbalances can occur in the kidneys and individuals may have difficulties urinating. In severely affected patients, this results in mental confusion, muscle weakness, nausea, and vomiting. Goodpasture s syndrome and glomerulonephritis, a chronic form of kidney disease, may also occur. 

Major differences exist between the metabolic, fluid, and electrolyte management of patients with acute versus chronic kidney disease (CKD). For example, positive nitrogen balance is more difficult to achieve in patients with acute renal failure (ARF) due to the increased rate of protein catabolism. Additionally, patients with acute renal failure are more likely to develop hyperglycemia during nutritional support and frequently are dialyzed by modalities that are not used commonly for the patient with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Because of these differences, the nutritional management of patients with ARF is discussed separately. 

The client diagnosed with chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis is prescribed lanthanum (Eosrenol), an electrolyte- and water-balancing agent. Which laboratory data indicates the medication is effective ... 

The kidneys act to filter toxins out of the blood for excretion in the urine. There are complex mechanisms to recover electrolytes, carbohydrates, and amino acids. The kidney is also an endocrine organ, regulating vitamin D metabolism and signaling red blood cell proliferation through erythropoietin. While each of these unique roles is not specifically tied to an inborn error of metabolism, the kidneys are affected by several disorders and may be the source of chronic complications of disease. Symptoms of chronic kidney disease include osteoporosis, hypertension, anemia, and electrolyte abnormalities with the primary means of therapy being hemodialysis or transplant (Box 4.5). 

Electrolyte balance Concern about the risk of hyperkalemia associated with ACE inhibitors in patients with chronic kidney disease probably inhibits their use in such patients despite the beneficial effects of ACE inhibitors on progression of chronic kidney disease. In 1094 non-diabetic African-American adults with hypertensive chronic kidney disease, hyperkalemia was associated with increasing age, baseline protein excretion, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and baseline potassium concentrations. Use of a potassium-wasting diuretic reduced the risk of hyperkalemia [36 ]. 

In 20-25% of cases, side effects are observed, depending mainly on the dose (hypersensitivity reactions, aphthous lesions, arthralgia, nausea, fever). All in all, treatment of Wilson s disease with penicillamine is considered to be successful and safe. If jrenicill-amine is not well tolerated or if serious side effects are observed (e.g. kidney or bone-marrow damage, polyneuropathy, pemphigus), treatment must be discontinued. Penicillamine usually causes pyridoxin deficiency, so that substitution (25—40 mg/day) is recommended, particularly as chronic liver damage also leads to vitamin Bg deficiency. If necessary, electrolytes and trace elements also have to be substituted. 

While alcohol abuse may be associated with a variety of electrolyte and acid-base disorders, the role of the kidneys in this process has only recently been fully defined [164]. Renal functional abnormalities have now been related to chronic alcoholism in patients without liver disease and these defects have reverted to normal with abstinence from alcohol abuse. These abnor-mahties include decreases in the maximal reabsorptive abihty and threshold for glucose, a decrease in the threshold for phosphate excretion, and increases in the fractional excretion of P2-microglobulin, uric acid, calcium, magnesium, and amino acids. Defective tubular acidification and impaired renal concentrating ability... 

As people age, the kidneys progressively shrink ( 10% per decade after age 20), and this is accompanied by decreased renal blood flow and GFR. Likewise, patients with hypertension, diabetes, and other diseases are at risk for developing chronic renal failure, a gradual and progressive loss of the ability of the kidneys to excrete wastes, concentrate urine, and conserve electrolytes. 

Several metabolic diseases affect kidney function leading to chronic complications including osteoporosis, hypertension, anania, and electrolyte abnormalities. 

When cadmium exposure continues past the onset of early kidney damage (manifested as proteinuria), chronic nephrotoxicity may occur (Meridian Research, Inc. 1989 Roth Associates, Inc. 1989). Uremia, which is the loss of the glomerulus ability to adequately filter blood, may result. This condition leads to severe disturbance of electrolyte concentrations, which may result in various clinical complications including atherosclerosis, hypertension, pericarditis, anemia, hemorrhagic tendencies, deficient cellular immunity, bone changes, and other problems. Progression of the disease may require dialysis or a kidney transplant. 

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