Can be caused by kidney infections:
inflammation of the kidneys which can
damage cell. This interferes with filtering in
the renal capsules or with reabsorption in
other parts
High blood pressure can cause the
glomerulus to be under even more
pressure so larger molecules would
pass through such as proteins
Waste products that would be
normally removed, build up in the
body. Causes weight loss and
vomiting
Fluid starts to accumulate in
tissues as the kidneys cannot
removed excess water. Causes
swelling
The balance of ions becomes
unbalanced. Blood may
become too acidic, or lead to
brittle bones.
Long term kidney failure
can cause anaemia
which can lead to death
Renal dialysis
Patients blood is passed through a
dialysis machine - the blood flows on
one side of a partially permeable
membrane and dialysis fluid flows on
the other
Waste products and
excess water and ions
diffuse across the
membrane into the
dialysis fluid.
Patients can feel unwell as
waste products and fluid
build up
Each session takes up
3-5 hours, 2-3 sessions a
week. It is expensive and
inconvenient
Less risky than transplant
Haemodialysis: heparin (anti blood clotting)
is used, dialysis fluid has the perfect
amounts of substances
Peritoneal dialysis: has more freedom
but has a catheter inserted in the
abdomen. The wall (peritoneum) acts as
the natural dialysis barrier.
Transplant
Has to be from the same
blood and tissue type.
Its cheaper, more
convenient and the
patients feel well.
The operation is risky.
The immune system may reject
the transplant so the patient has
to take immunosuppressant
drugs
Testing for pregancy
Pregnancy test detect the hormone
'human chorionic gonadotropin' that's
only found in pregnant women
It has antibodies, so if there is that
hormone then it will bind to the
antibody and turn blue
Testing for steriods
Use gas chromatography to determine
the steroid which is travelling at the
same speed at the control