Stage 5 kidney failure is the last stage of chronic kidney disease. This stage indicates that the kidneys are no longer able to carry out their functions properly, namely to filter and remove "waste" and excess fluid from the blood..
In the medical world, stage 5 kidney failure is better known as end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Kidney function with ESRD usually does not reach 10 percent of normal function. That means, the kidneys are almost not functioning or even not functioning at all.
Before reaching end-stage renal failure, people with chronic kidney disease will experience a gradual decline in kidney function. This kidney function can be measured by calculating the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). The details are as follows:
- Stage 1 (GFR above 90): kidney function is still working normally, but early signs of kidney disease may already appear.
- Stage 2 (GFR 60-89): kidney function is slightly decreased.
- Stage 3 (GFR 30-59): the filtering of waste substances from the body has begun to be ineffective, resulting in various complaints.
- Stage 4 (GFR 15-29): kidney function is very low.
- Stage 5 (GFR below 15): the kidneys are barely functioning, so waste substances and excess fluid build up in the body.
Causes of Stage 5 Kidney Failure
The occurrence of stage 5 kidney failure usually begins with other conditions or diseases that affect kidney function for a long time. Conditions and diseases that can affect kidney function include:
- Hypertension
- Diabetes type 1 or 2
- Autoimmune diseases, such as lupus
- Other kidney disease, such as polycystic kidney disease, kidney stones, glomerulonephritis, nephritic syndrome, or recurrent kidney infections
In addition, recurrent urinary tract infections, prostate enlargement, and amyloidosis can also cause kidney failure.
Symptoms of Stage 5 Kidney Failure
When kidney failure is still in its early stages, symptoms of kidney damage are usually not visible. New symptoms will appear when the kidneys begin to be unable to filter waste substances and fluids from the body efficiently. When it reaches this stage, the patient will experience the following symptoms:
- Urinating less and less urine
- Nausea and vomiting
- Tired easily
- No appetite
- Very dry and itchy skin
- Skin color becomes darker or lighter
- Sleep disturbance
- Muscle cramp
- Difficult to concentrate
- Erectile dysfunction
As the condition worsens, people with end-stage chronic kidney disease may also experience swelling of the feet, hands, or face, fluid buildup in the lungs (pulmonary oedema), heart problems, fractures, and convulsions.
Treatment for Stage 5 Kidney Failure
In patients with chronic kidney disease who have entered the final stage, doctors will usually recommend treatment methods that include:
Dialysis (hemodialysis)
In this procedure, the function of the kidneys to filter the blood will be replaced by a special machine. The dialysis procedure takes about 4 hours and should be done at least 3 times a week.
Kidney transplant
Another treatment option for people with end-stage chronic kidney disease is a kidney transplant. In this procedure, the patient's damaged kidney is replaced with a healthy kidney from a donor. However, patients have to wait long enough to get a new kidney.
In addition to the above treatment, the doctor will also prescribe medicines, especially to treat the disease that is causing the patient's kidney damage.
The doctor will also suggest special dietary arrangements by limiting the consumption of certain foods and the amount of fluids that enter. This is because the ability of the kidneys to filter waste and excess fluids from the body has been greatly reduced.
Stage 5 kidney failure is the final stage of chronic kidney failure. However, before reaching this stage, kidney failure can still be controlled so it doesn't get worse.
That is why, it is recommended that you carry out regular health checks and immediately consult a doctor if you experience complaints that lead to kidney problems. The sooner kidney damage is detected, the lower the risk of reaching stage 5 kidney failure.