Chronic Renal Failure

Chronic Renal Failure
Jessica Heil

With chronic renal failure or CRF there's a gradual and progressive loss of kidney function. According to Medical Terminology a Word-Building Approach p392, Diabetes and hypertension are the two most common causes and account for approximately two thirds of the cases of CRF. One of the main functions of the kidneys is to remove excess water from the body and filter out any wastes.                                                
According to https://health.google.com/health/ref/Chronic+kidney+disease some of the symptoms that occur when CRF first starts are:
  * General ill feeling and fatigue
  * Generalized itching (pruritus) and dry skin
  * Headaches
  * Weight loss without trying to lose weight
  * Appetite loss and nausea
Here are some symptoms that occur later on as the disease progresses:
  * Abnormally dark or light skin
  * Bone pain
  * Drowsiness and confusion
  * Problems concentrating or thinking
  * Numbness in the hands feet or other areas
  * Muscle twitching or cramps
  * Breath odor
  * Easy bruising, bleeding or blood in the stool
  * Excessive thirst
  * Frequent hiccups
  * Low level of sexual interest or impotence
  * Menstrual periods stop (amenorrhea)
  * Sleep problems such as insomnia, restless leg syndrome (RLS), and Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
  * Swelling of the feet and hands (edema)
  *   Vomiting typically in the morning
According to http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000471.htm   the final stage of CRF is called end-stage-renal-disease or ESRD. This is the point where the kidneys are no longer able to function properly and the patient will require dialysis or a kidney transplant to survive. This disease   causes a buildup of   wastes and fluid in the body. This buildup can affect red blood cell production, blood pressure control, and Vitamin D and bone health. Most women with CRF end up with osteoporosis because when the kidneys don't...