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To understand the implications of renal failure you need to keep the basic functions of the kidney in mind; namely to remove excess fluid and waste, to maintain the chemical balance of the body and to produce certain important hormones and enzymes. Therefore kidney failure can lead to an overload of fluid in the body, that adds to the workload of the heart, raises blood pressure and could lead to heart failure.

If your kidneys are unable to remove metabolic and other waste products, toxic accumulation of these substances may follow. The decrease in production of certain hormones may lead to anaemia as well as phosphate, calcium and other electrolyte disturbances. The chemical constitution of your body is a complicated process in which your kidneys play a pivotal role. If this delicate balance is lost, major organs like the heart and brain are adversely affected.

Written by Dr K. Coetzee, reviewed by Dr R. Moosa, head of the Renal Unit, Tygerberg Academic Hospital.

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Recognising kidney trouble

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