If untreated, life cannot continue. The loss of kidney function usually happens over a long period of time but can sometimes happen very quickly. The main causes of complete kidney failure are diabetes, hypertension, glomerulo-nephrits and polycystic disease. Your physician and health care team can explain the cause of your kidney failure to you. If not treated or if treated late, this disease can affect other body organs, especially the eyes, kidneys, blood vessels and nerves.
Hypertension is high blood pressure.
If not controlled by medication, it can cause damage to other organs in the body, including the kidneys. Glomerulonephritis is a disease which affects both kidneys. It causes inflammatory changes to the blood vessels in the kidneys and, over time, the kidneys become badly damaged and cannot be repaired. Polycystic disease results in the presence of many sacs or pouches in both kidneys. Over time these pouches become hard, the kidneys become smaller and, eventually, the kidneys cannot work.