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Kidney Failure
URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/kidneyfailure.html

Kidney Failure

Also called: End-stage renal disease, ESRD, Renal failure
On this page

Basics

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  • Start Here
  • Diagnosis and Tests
  • Treatments and Therapies

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  • Living With
  • Related Issues
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  • Genetics

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  • Journal Articles

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Summary

Healthy kidneys clean your blood by removing excess fluid, minerals, and wastes. They also make hormones that keep your bones strong and your blood healthy. But if the kidneys are damaged, they don't work properly. Harmful wastes can build up in your body. Your blood pressure may rise. Your body may retain excess fluid and not make enough red blood cells. This is called kidney failure.

If your kidneys fail, you need treatment to replace the work they normally do. The treatment options are dialysis or a kidney transplant. Each treatment has benefits and drawbacks. No matter which treatment you choose, you'll need to make some changes in your life, including how you eat and plan your activities. But with the help of health care providers, family, and friends, most people with kidney failure can lead full and active lives.

NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Start Here

  • Kidney Failure, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) (American Kidney Fund)

Diagnosis and Tests

  • Kidney Failure (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish
  • Kidney Tests: MedlinePlus Health Topic From the National Institutes of Health (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish

Treatments and Therapies

  • Choosing a Treatment for Kidney Failure (National Kidney Foundation) - PDF
  • Choosing a Treatment for Kidney Failure From the National Institutes of Health Easy-to-Read (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
  • Dialysis: MedlinePlus Health Topic From the National Institutes of Health (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
  • Kidney Transplantation: MedlinePlus Health Topic From the National Institutes of Health (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish

Living With

  • Coping: Managing Your Kidney Disease (National Kidney Foundation) - PDF
  • Creatinine Test From the National Institutes of Health (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
  • Renal Diet for Vegetarians: What about Protein? (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
  • What Is Kidney Failure? From the National Institutes of Health (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)

Related Issues

  • Amyloidosis and Kidney Disease From the National Institutes of Health (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
  • Anemia in Chronic Kidney Disease From the National Institutes of Health (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) Also in Spanish
  • Keeping Kidneys Safe: Smart Choices about Medicines From the National Institutes of Health (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
  • Mineral and Bone Disorder in Chronic Kidney Disease From the National Institutes of Health (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) Also in Spanish
  • MRI: Is Gadolinium Safe for People with Kidney Problems? (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
  • Vaccines for Adults with Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease, Kidney Failure, or Kidney Transplant (National Kidney Foundation)

Specifics

  • Acute Kidney Failure (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)

Genetics

  • Alport syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics From the National Institutes of Health (National Library of Medicine)
  • Fibronectin glomerulopathy: MedlinePlus Genetics From the National Institutes of Health (National Library of Medicine)
  • Nephronophthisis: MedlinePlus Genetics From the National Institutes of Health (National Library of Medicine)
  • Uromodulin-associated kidney disease: MedlinePlus Genetics From the National Institutes of Health (National Library of Medicine)

Statistics and Research

  • Kidney Disease Statistics for the United States From the National Institutes of Health (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)

Clinical Trials

  • ClinicalTrials.gov: Kidney Failure From the National Institutes of Health (National Institutes of Health)
  • ClinicalTrials.gov: Kidney Failure, Chronic From the National Institutes of Health (National Institutes of Health)

Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

  • Article: Self-management interventions for adult haemodialysis patients: a scoping review of randomized...
  • Article: Systemic immune-inflammation index in critically ill patients with renal failure: a...
  • Article: The Impact of Transtheoretical Model-Based Motivational Interviewing on Self-Efficacy and Adherence...
  • Kidney Failure -- see more articles

Reference Desk

  • Kidneys and Urinary Tract (For Parents) (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
  • Your Kidneys and How They Work From the National Institutes of Health (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) Also in Spanish

Find an Expert

  • National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases From the National Institutes of Health
  • National Kidney Foundation

Children

  • How Do Health Care Professionals Treat Kidney Failure in Children? From the National Institutes of Health (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) Also in Spanish

Patient Handouts

  • Acute kidney failure (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
  • Acute tubular necrosis (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
  • Dialysis - peritoneal (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
  • End-stage kidney disease (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
  • Glomerular filtration rate (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish

Topic Image

Kidney Failure

MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA

  • Acute kidney failure
  • Acute tubular necrosis
  • Calcium - urine
  • Dialysis - peritoneal
  • End-stage kidney disease
  • Glomerular filtration rate
  • Hepatorenal syndrome
  • Lactic acidosis
  • Peritonitis - secondary
  • Peritonitis - spontaneous bacterial
  • Potter syndrome
  • Prerenal azotemia
  • Renal arteriography
  • Renal scan
  • Urine 24-hour volume

Related Health Topics

  • Chronic Kidney Disease
  • Diabetic Kidney Problems
  • Dialysis
  • Kidney Cancer
  • Kidney Cysts
  • Kidney Diseases
  • Kidney Tests
  • Kidney Transplantation

National Institutes of Health

The primary NIH organization for research on Kidney Failure is the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Other Languages

Find health information in languages other than English on Kidney Failure

Disclaimers

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The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.

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