Medical Nutrition Treatment in Acute and Chronic Renal Failure

Abstract

Kidneys are the organs that play an important role in whole body homeostasis. Kidney regulate the extracellular environment, espesially water and electrolytes. Kidney function deficiency is defined as the clinical situation in which kidney functions and glomerular filitration rate decreases, and accumulation of uremic toxins effecting the whole system. Chronic kidney disease is common both in Turkey and worldwide and it is an important public health problem. Although it is preventable or its spreading speed can be reduced when diagnosed in early stage, the chance of early diagnosis and awareness are low. The medical nutritional treatments depending on whether the kidney function deficiency is chronic or acute increases the life quality of the patients, and at the same time it decreases the frequency of complications related to the disease, mortality and morbidty rates. This article discusses the medical nutrition therapy in patients with acute renal injury and chronic renal failure based on current guidelines.