Can a Person Recover From Kidney Failure?

Acute kidney failure (AKF)

• Kidneys lose their function suddenly, typically within a few hours or days, but the condition is often temporary.
• Most common causes include: hypovolemic shock due to blood loss, severe vomiting and dehydration, blockage of the urinary tract, poisoning, sepsis, kidney infections, heart or liver failure, etc.

Chronic kidney failure (CKF)

• Damage to the kidneys occurs over years and kidney function worsens, eventually leading to permanent kidney failure. 
• Most common causes include: diabetes, hypertension, autoimmune diseases (such as lupus), glomerulonephritis, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced kidney failure, recurrent kidney stones, polycystic kidney disease, nephrotic syndrome, etc.

In addition to physical examination and medical history, tests that are used to diagnose kidney failure include:

• Blood tests to determine estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), blood cell counts, creatinine, and electrolyte levels
• Urine test for albumin, glucose, and red or white blood cells
• Blood pressure check
• Electrocardiogram
• Chest X-ray
• Imaging tests such as a renal ultrasound, body computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance (MR) or CT urography, and body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Renal scintigraphy
• Kidney biopsy

Treatment options vary and depend on the cause and extent of the disease.

• Acute renal failure: Cause of the disease is treated to normalize kidney function. Dialysis may be needed for a short time. 
• Chronic renal failure: Treating chronic medical conditions can slow the progression of kidney failure. However, once the kidneys fail completely, treatment options are limited to dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Options for treatment include treating the cause of renal failure and replacing renal function:

• Dialysis: Blood is pumped through a machine that filters out waste and excess fluid and then returns the blood to the body. Dialysis does not cure kidney failure, but it may help improve a patient’s quality of life. There are two types of dialysis:
  • Hemodialysis: A catheter (tube) is inserted into one of the veins in the neck, arm, or leg. Hemodialysis is most often performed at a hospital or dialysis clinic 3 times a week for 3-4 hours at a time.
  • Peritoneal dialysis: Uses the lining of the abdomen to filter the blood using a dialysis solution and catheter. This treatment can be done at home.
• Kidney transplant: A kidney transplant is the most complete and effective way to replace kidney function but may not be suitable for all patients. In kidney transplant surgery, doctors use a healthy kidney from a living donor or deceased donor to replace the damaged kidney in the patient’s body. Patients can live well with one healthy kidney.
• Interventional radiological procedures such as ureteral stenting and nephrostomy: Doctors perform these procedures if they identify a block as the cause for renal failure. These procedures involve inserting either a small stent into the ureter(s) or connecting a tube to an external drainage bag. Both procedures unblock the ureters and allow urine to flow from the kidneys.
• Surgical treatment: Other procedures to treat renal failure include kidney stone removal.