Renal Failure Treated by Mercy's Urology Doctors in Baltimore
Patients throughout the Baltimore region seek the expertise of The Urology Specialists of Maryland at Mercy Medical Center. Our urologists treat renal failure, also known as kidney failure, by working closely with nephrologists to provide patients with comprehensive care.
Kidneys filter waste from the blood. When they cannot perform their function, the body is in kidney failure and waste accumulates to dangerous levels. Acute kidney failure mostly occurs in patients who have already been diagnosed with medical conditions and have been hospitalized. Kidney failure can be reversed, however, and depending on the patient’s overall health, kidneys can return to normal.
Conditions that increase the risk of developing acute kidney failure include:
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Heart failure
- Peripheral artery disease
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Hospitalization for a serious condition
It is possible that there are no symptoms of acute kidney failure. Signs, however, could include:
- Decreased urine output
- Fluid retention showing in leg, ankle or feet swelling
- Drowsiness
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Shortness of breath
- Confusion
- Seizures
- Coma
- Chest pain or pressure
Our doctors use the following diagnostic methods to confirm kidney failure:
- Blood test
- Urine test
- Ultrasound
- Biopsy of kidney tissue
Treating acute kidney failure usually requires hospitalization to identify the cause and allow time for the kidney to heal. It is a serious medical condition and treatment options will depend on what caused the kidney to malfunction. Treatments for kidney failure include:
- Antibiotics to treat infection
- IV Fluids to supplement fluids in the blood
- Diuretics to eliminate extra fluid
- Medications to address blood potassium levels
- Medications to balance calcium levels
- Kidney dialysis to cleanse the blood
If the kidney failure cannot be reversed, a kidney transplant may be needed.