Treatment for Renal Failure

Specific treatment for renal failure will be determined by your physician based on:

• Your age, overall health, and medical history
• Extent of the disease
• Type of disease (acute or chronic)
• Underlying cause of the disease
• Your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
• Expectations for the course of the disease
• Your opinion or preference

Treatment may include:

• Hospitalization
• Administration of intravenous (IV) fluids in large volumes (to replace depleted blood volume)
• Diuretic therapy or medications (to increase urine output)
• Close monitoring of important electrolytes, such as potassium, sodium, and calcium
• Medications (to control blood pressure)
• Specific diet requirements

In some cases, patients may develop severe electrolyte disturbances and toxic levels of certain waste products normally eliminated by the kidneys. Patients may also develop fluid overload. Dialysis may be indicated in these cases.

Treatment of chronic renal failure depends on the degree of kidney function that remains. Treatment may include:

• Medications (to help with growth, prevent bone density loss, and/or to treat anemia)
• Diuretic therapy or medications (to increase urine output)
• Specific diet restrictions
• Dialysis
• Kidney transplantation