CHRONIC KIDNEY FAILURE
Chronic renal failure is a slowly worsening loss of the ability of the kidneys to remove wastes, concentrate urine, and conserve electrolytes. Unlike acute renal failure, chronic renal failure slowly gets worse. It most often results from any disease that causes gradual loss of kidney function. It can range from mild dysfunction to severe kidney failure. The disease may lead to end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
Chronic renal failure usually occurs over a number of years as the internal structures of the kidney are slowly damaged. In the early stages, there may be no symptoms. In fact, progression may be so slow that symptoms do not occur until kidney function is less than one-tenth of normal. Chronic renal failure and ESRD affect more than 2 out of 1,000 people in the United States. Diabetes and high blood pressure are the two most common causes and account for most cases.
