Can Drinking Water Stop Kidney Failure?

Kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs located below the rib cage on either side of the spine. Their main functions include:

• Water balance
• Electrolyte balance
• pH balance
• Removal of toxins
• Excretion of waste products
• Blood pressure control
• Production of erythropoietin, which stimulates red blood cell production
• Activation of vitamin D

Kidney failure or end-stage renal disease occurs when the kidneys are unable to filter toxins and waste products, working less than 15% of their normal capacity.

Chronic renal failure causes

A gradual loss of kidney function may be caused by:

• Uncontrolled diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Chronic glomerulonephritis
• Polycystic kidney disease
• Kidney stones
• Nephrotic syndrome
• Interstitial nephritis

Acute renal failure causes

A sudden loss of kidney function occurs due to the following:

• Pre-renal causes:
  • Dehydration due to excessive diarrhea, vomiting, and sweating
  • Hypovolemia due to heavy blood loss
  • Decreased fluid intake
  • Medications such as diuretics
  • Obstruction in the renal artery
• Renal causes:
  • Sepsis due to infections and inflammations
  • Medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and antibiotics
  • Rhabdomyolysis
  • Multiple myeloma
  • Systemic lupus erythematosus
  • Hemolytic uremic syndrome
• Post-renal causes:
  • Prostatic hypertrophy or prostate cancer
  • Kidney stones
  • Obstruction of the bladder or ureters
• Sudden blood flow loss:
  • Heart attack
  • Burns
  • Liver failure
  • Allergic reactions
  • Metal poisoning

Kidney failure can be asymptomatic initially, and if left untreated, can lead to life-threatening conditions:

• Whole body edema (swelling)
• Inability to pass urine or very little urine output
• Shortness of breath
• Weakness
• Lethargy
• Loss of appetite
• Abnormal heart rhythms
• Anemia
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Hyperkalemia (high blood potassium level)
• Hypocalcemia (low blood calcium level)
• Metabolic acidosis (excessive amount of acids in the body)
• Congestive cardiac failure
• Uremia (high blood urea level)
• Drowsiness
• Itchy and dry skin
• Muscle cramps

If you have kidney failure, a healthy lifestyle, diet modifications, regular follow-ups, and appropriate medications may improve quality of life and extend lifespan:

• Dietary modifications such as the DASH diet (low-sodium) and renal diet (low-sodium, low-protein, and low-potassium, with controlled water intake)
• Managing blood pressure and diabetes
• Antibiotics for infections as needed
• Corticosteroids for immune-related conditions (nephrotic syndrome)
• Blood transfusions for anemia
• Intravenous fluids, if needed

Acute renal failure or end-stage renal disease is the most severe stage of kidney failure, with no cure. The only treatment options are:

• Hemodialysis: Machine that regularly (3-4 times per week) filters the blood to remove toxins and waste products
• Peritoneal dialysis: Treatment that uses a catheter through the abdominal lining for blood filtration
• Kidney transplant: Only long-term solution in most cases