Hyperkalemia

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)

Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone (RAAS)

End-stage Renal Disease (ESRD) is the complete, or near complete failure of the kidneys to function. The kidneys can no longer remove wastes, concentrate urine, and regulate electrolytes. It usually occurs when chronic kidney failure has progressed to the point where kidney function is less than 10% of normal. End-stage renal disease is the fifth stage of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).

Dialysis or kidney transplantation are the only treatments for End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).

A patient may receive treatment for the diseases that cause, or are caused by chronic renal failure (CKD), including:

• Congestive heart failure
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Glomerulonephritis

Dietary restrictions may also be imposed. Restrictions may include:

• Eating a low- protein, high- carbohydrate diet
• Limiting fluids
• Limiting salt, potassium, phosphorus, and other electrolytes

According to the 2008 USRDS Annual Data Report, there are more than 500,000 patients in the US with ESRD.

National Kidney Foundation

American Association of Kidney Patients

National Kidney Disease Education Program

CinicalTrials.gov

PubMed (search for medical articles)