Can chronic renal failure be cured by dialysis?

Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
Updated on September 10, 2024
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Patients with chronic renal failure can undergo dialysis treatment to sustain life and improve quality of life. However, dialysis merely uses artificial means to excrete accumulated metabolic wastes and fluids in the body, regulate the internal environment, and simply substitutes for the function of the kidneys. Dialysis has no therapeutic value for renal failure itself. Therefore, patients with chronic renal failure should not expect dialysis to restore kidney function. Nonetheless, as a renal replacement therapy, dialysis can provide patients with a relatively good lifespan and quality of life. Dialysis treatment is necessary for patients with uremia.

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Written by Wu Ji
Nephrology
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Principles of Treatment for Chronic Renal Failure

The principles of treatment for chronic renal failure include early-stage non-dialysis conservative treatment as well as end-stage renal replacement therapy. Non-dialysis conservative treatment includes delaying the progression of kidney damage, which requires treating the primary disease, implementing nutritional support, and controlling factors that accelerate kidney disease progression, such as controlling high blood pressure, proteinuria, and hyperlipidemia. Additionally, it is necessary to eliminate metabolic waste from the body, and maintain the body's water, electrolyte, and acid-base balance. Renal replacement therapy includes hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and kidney transplant therapy.

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Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
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Why does chronic renal failure cause vomiting?

Patients with chronic renal failure who experience vomiting generally indicates that their condition has become very severe. Typically, from stage four of chronic kidney disease onwards, a large amount of metabolic waste accumulates in the body, and patients may have severe metabolic acidosis, among other issues. These conditions can cause edema of the gastrointestinal mucosa, and these metabolic wastes can also irritate the gastrointestinal tract, leading to symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. Of course, besides these reasons, other gastrointestinal diseases such as chronic gastritis, gastric ulcers, and even gastric cancer should also be ruled out.

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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 Zhou Qi
Nephrology
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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.

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Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
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What are the symptoms of chronic kidney failure?

The symptoms of chronic kidney failure are related to the severity of the condition; the more severe the kidney failure, the more symptoms the patient will have. In the early stages, patients may not feel uncomfortable or show any symptoms. Some patients may experience swelling in the lower limbs and facial area. Others may display clinical signs such as elevated blood pressure and visible blood in the urine. As kidney failure progresses and blood creatinine levels exceed 442 umol/L, patients may experience fatigue, which is due to renal anemia. Some patients may also experience a loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and other gastrointestinal symptoms.