The final stage of chronic kidney disease is kidney failure, also known as end-stage renal disease (ESRD). As you undergo kidney disease treatment, it’s important to understand the factors that can lead to ESRD (failure that occurs over time) or acute renal failure (failure that occurs suddenly). Read on to learn more, and talk with your doctor at Mt Auburn Nephrology in Cincinnati, OH, if you have any questions or concerns.

Below are some of the most common causes of renal failure for patients who are receiving kidney disease treatment:

• Diabetes: This is the most common cause of ESRD. When an individual’s blood glucose levels are too high, as they often are in diabetic patients, the kidneys have to work harder to filter the blood. This wear is hard on the filters in your kidneys, and they can start to leak. This can lead to the initial kidney disease and, eventually, failure.
• High Blood Pressure: This is the second most common cause of ESRD, after diabetes. Because the kidneys are part of such a vital system, they require high volumes of blood. High blood pressure can damage the arteries around these organs over time, resulting in them being weak, narrow, or hard. The damaged arteries are then unable to supply the appropriate amount of blood to the kidneys, which will cause them to fail.
• Autoimmune Disease: Autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, are accompanied by symptoms that damage the kidneys. These differ depending on the type of disease. For example, lupus can lead to thrombosis, which is a clot inside a blood vessel that blocks blood flow, eventually causing damage the same way high blood pressure does.  

If you’ve just been diagnosed with a kidney issue, proper kidney disease treatment by experienced professionals can make all the difference. With the help of the doctors at Mt Auburn Nephrology, you can treat problems that would otherwise lead to debilitating or even deadly renal failure. They have multiple locations and privileges at local hospitals to make your treatment more convenient. Call them at (513) 841-0222 to schedule a consultation with their team.