Question 1

what happens when the kidneys fail?

Accepted Answer

It depends: Acute kidney failure can happen for several reasons (blood loss, obstruction, toxin damage, immune response to name a few). The kidneys lose the ability to produce urine and eliminate waste, and you can get electrolyte imbalances, uremia, and acid base imbalances. If the damage happens over a longer period of time, you can get hypertension, heart failure, bone fractures, and anemia.

Question 2

if one kidney fails, does the other weaken?

Accepted Answer

Usually: Usually when one kidney fails for some reason, the other kidney will grow in size and take on some of the load of the other failed kidney.  This takes time (years).  Of course, this all depends on the other kidney being healthy and one not having a disease that will affect the other kidney.  Nevertheless, one should follow closely with their doctor to ensure the one remaining kidney stays healthy.

Question 3

does age matter when kidneys decide to fail?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Kidney(renal) failure is very serious at any age.  However, elderly patients are usually more at risk from complications because of other disease processes that man occur as they age.

Question 4

what would happen if you only had one kidney fail?

Accepted Answer

See below: If one kidne were to stop working in rare scenarios, the other would continue working to whatever capacity it is capable off and if it were healthy to begin with , will grow bigger and perform 10-20% more in function over a period of time.

Question 5

when kidneys fail what other organs does it affect?

Accepted Answer

Heart : Since kidney are a vital organ any dysfunction affects the overall health of the body. The organs most affected are heart, lungs and brain.

Question 6

when your kidneys fail how long do you have to live well?

Accepted Answer

Many factors: There is no easy answer to this question but it depend on the lavel of kidney failure, the rate of decline of the kidneys, age of patient, and presence of other medical conditions. That being said, many patients with advanced kidney failure (stage 5 ckd) will not be able to live longer than one year without renal replacement therapy.

Question 7

i've gotten hydronephrosis in my only working kidney. how long before it fails?

Accepted Answer

Hopefully never: Need to cosult a good urologist who can relieve obstruction causing hydronephrosis ; give you a new lease on life. Good luck.

Question 8

please help my kidney...i feel they might fail due to my diabeties....please help.

Accepted Answer

Diabetic kidney: Have you been to a doctor to have some lab work drawn? If so, are your bun, creatinine and hemoglobin a1c levels high? If not, no need to worry. You can always go to a nephrologist and have a 24 hour urine for creatinine clearance and protein sent off and have some blood taken when you return the urine. That will give you an objective view of kidney function an allay your fears. Good luck.

Question 9

if all of the organs are interdependent, why don't all of the organs fail when the kidneys fail?

Accepted Answer

They will: with out kidneys or dialysis there will be death by flud overload, anemia, acidosis. high potassium.

Question 10

i had kidney faliler when i was 4 and i was just wondering if my kidneys would ever fail again i've fully recovered and was nearly put on dyaslis?

Accepted Answer

Depends: On what the cause was.  If it was something acute and you fully recovered from it, you may have no more risk than anyone else.  If the cause was something hereditary, or if there was scarring or other long term damage, this might be something that you have to always be careful about.  Find out more information about what caused the even when you were 4.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Why kidneys fail

A member asked:

What happens when the kidneys fail?

A member asked:

If one kidney fails, does the other weaken?

A member asked:

Does age matter when kidneys decide to fail?

A member asked:

What would happen if you only had one kidney fail?

A member asked:

When kidneys fail what other organs does it affect?

A member asked:

When your kidneys fail how long do you have to live well?

A member asked:

I've gotten hydronephrosis in my only working kidney. how long before it fails?

A member asked:

Please help my kidney...i feel they might fail due to my diabeties....please help.

A member asked:

If all of the organs are interdependent, why don't all of the organs fail when the kidneys fail?

A member asked:

I had kidney faliler when i was 4 and i was just wondering if my kidneys would ever fail again i've fully recovered and was nearly put on dyaslis?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?