Conditions InDepth: End-stage Renal Disease (ESRD)
Renal failure (kidney failure) occurs when the kidneys can't perform their normal functions. It usually occurs in middle-aged and older people. The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs on either side of the spine in the lower back. Their main functions are to remove waste from the body and to balance the water and mineral content of the blood by filtering waste, minerals, and water. The waste and water combine to form urine.
Anatomy of the Kidney
End-stage renal disease (ESRD) refers to a permanent condition in which the kidneys are no longer able to filter waste from the blood. As the wastes build up, the tiny filters in the kidneys (nephrons) continue to lose their filtering ability. Although damage to the nephrons may occur suddenly after an injury or poisoning, many kidney diseases take years or decades to cause noticeable damage. ESRD is generally diagnosed when kidney function drops to 10% of normal. The two most common causes of ESRD are:
- Diabetes —the nephrons are damaged by chronically high blood sugar levels that occur in poorly controlled diabetes
- High blood pressure —causes damage to the blood vessels in the kidneys
End-stage renal disease can lead to anemia, high blood pressure, bone disorders, heart failure, and mental confusion.
As of the end of 2006, 506,256 Americans were undergoing treatment for ESRD. According to the National Kidney Foundation and National Institutes of Health, 354,754 were undergoing dialysis (an external filtering of the blood). About 18,052 individuals received a kidney transplant in 2006. More than 77,675 were waiting for a kidney transplant in 2008. And about 87,654 died of ESRD in 2006.
Last reviewedOctober 2012by Adrienne Carmack, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
