Definition

Noun: A long-term, progressive condition where the kidneys gradually lose their ability to function properly. This includes filtering waste products and excess fluids from the blood, which can result from a variety of systemic disorders.

Usage

This medical term is used to describe the irreversible and advanced stage of chronic kidney disease. It indicates that kidney function has declined to a critical level, often requiring significant medical intervention such as dialysis or a transplant.

Examples

• The patient was diagnosed with chronic kidney failure due to long-standing, uncontrolled diabetes.
• Managing hypertension is crucial to slow the progression of chronic kidney failure.
• Chronic kidney failure is a serious condition that requires ongoing medical care.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in a clinical context to distinguish this permanent state from acute kidney injury, which is a sudden but often reversible loss of function.
• It is frequently discussed in relation to its stages, with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) being the final phase of chronic kidney failure.

Variants and Related Words

• Chronic Renal Failure (CRF): An older, synonymous term where "renal" means relating to the kidneys.
• End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD): A specific term for the final, most severe stage of chronic kidney failure.
• Uremia: A clinical syndrome associated with the buildup of waste products in the blood due to advanced kidney failure.

Synonyms

• Chronic renal failure
• End-stage kidney disease
• Advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD)

Related Phrases

• Management of chronic kidney failure: Refers to the treatments and lifestyle changes used to treat the condition.
• Complications of chronic kidney failure: Refers to other health problems that arise as a result, such as anemia or bone disease.

Noun

1. renal failure that can result from a variety of systemic disorders