Life expectancy with renal insufficiency

The kidney

The kidney is involved in many processes in the body. In addition to the water balance, it is important for the hormone balance and blood production.

Life expectancy is also influenced by many factors, which are explained in more detail below.

Renal insufficiency is divided into an acute and a chronic form. Chronic renal insufficiency in particular has many negative effects on other body functions, so that it can favor other diseases.

The aim of treating chronic kidney failure is to prevent or delay the progression of the disease and thus to improve life expectancy.

Read more on the topic: Renal insufficiency, acute kidney failure, and mortality from kidney failure

This has a positive effect on life expectancy

Regular checks by the nephrologist are essential to have a positive influence on the course of the disease. It has been shown that those affected who are cared for by a nephrologist have a longer life expectancy.

An important point in kidney failure is proper nutrition. There are a few important things to consider here. Initially, a moderate protein intake is recommended.
It is assumed that with a high protein intake, more protein is excreted via the kidneys, which damages them.

In addition, a sufficient calorie intake of over 2,000 kcal must be ensured.

A low-salt diet is recommended, especially with high blood pressure and water retention in the legs, but it is still important to consume enough salt. In some cases, additional salt intake may also be necessary if there is a salt loss syndrome.

In contrast to the past, it is no longer recommended to drink a lot every day. However, there are also a few exceptions in which a large amount of drinking is beneficial to health. Therefore, it is important to speak to the doctor or a nutritionist about diet. In addition, one should not smoke and generally adhere to a healthy lifestyle. Vaccinations should also be boosted if necessary

This has a negative impact on life expectancy

After a diagnosis of chronic kidney failure, the most important goal is to prevent further progression of the disease.
A number of factors are known which may cause the disease to progress. Some of these factors can be controlled by yourself, some are difficult to control.

Smoking is one of these factors and should be avoided after suffering from kidney failure. Furthermore, being very overweight and high blood pressure have a negative effect on the course of the disease. Good blood pressure control is therefore essential in the treatment of renal failure.

Other existing underlying diseases of the kidney also have a negative effect on the further course. If the person has diabetes mellitus, good blood sugar control is highly recommended.

In addition, anemia has a negative effect on the course and thus also on life expectancy. This is also treated by the doctor.

It is also very important not to take kidney-damaging drugs. This also includes many drugs that are freely available in pharmacies, such as Ibuprofen.

In addition, genetic factors are known in medicine that have a negative effect on the progression of the disease. Unfortunately, nothing can be done about this.

Life expectancy in stage 1

In stage 1 there is hardly any restriction of the kidney. If the cause of the slight deterioration can be found, it can usually be treated well and the disease can be prevented from progressing.

However, stage 1 chronic renal failure is unfortunately often overlooked and undiagnosed because it causes little or no symptoms.

However, since there is hardly any damage, life expectancy in stage 1 is hardly restricted.

Read more on the subject at: Stages of renal failure

Life expectancy in stage 2

Life expectancy in stage 2 is similar to that in stage 1.

The functional impairment of the kidneys can still be compensated for by the body.

However, the causes should be treated.

It has been proven that care by a nephrologist extends life expectancy in the case of existing renal insufficiency.

Life expectancy in stage 3

In stage 3, life expectancy is worsened. Albuminuria is an important influence on life expectancy.

Albuminuria is the excretion of a specific protein in the urine. The more this protein gets into the urine via the kidneys, the higher the risk of death.

Therefore, one goal in the treatment of kidney failure is to minimize the amount of protein that gets into the urine. In addition, as the kidney's filter function deteriorates, the risk of cardiovascular diseases increases.

For example, kidney failure increases the calcification of the vessels.

The risk of dying from cardiovascular disease increases. Of course, life expectancy also depends on other factors.

The age and general health of the person concerned play an important role. Furthermore, people respond differently to the therapies. Life expectancy can be very different from person to person.

Life expectancy in stage 4

At stage 4, kidney function is already very limited and it is foreseeable that a transition to stage 5, kidney failure, will take place.

Here the kidneys are no longer able to take over their functions and renal replacement therapy has to be carried out. For this reason, kidney replacement therapies such as dialysis are prepared in stage 4 in addition to the existing therapy. Dialysis can keep the affected person alive.

If dialysis is stopped, the patient dies within a few days to weeks.

With dialysis, the patient can live for several years. The best life expectancy, however, is when a kidney transplant is and can be performed. This drastically improves life expectancy if successful.

If the kidney transplant comes from a deceased donor, 77% of the patients are still alive 5 years after the transplantation; 85% of the transplant recipients are still alive in the case of living donations.

The life expectancy of a kidney transplant increases by 17 years compared to dialysis therapy in middle-aged or younger patients.

On average, the life expectancy of all transplant recipients is around 14 years. The number is even higher for living donations.

Read more on the subject at: Kidney failure