N18.80: Unilateral chronic impairment of renal function

One of your two kidneys is damaged and its function is limited.

This is also referred to as renal insufficiency.

There are normally 2 kidneys in the body. They filter blood and create urine. They thus help to detoxify the body. Furthermore, the kidneys regulate blood pressure and the mineral levels in the blood, among other things.

If one kidney’s function is limited, it can no longer perform its tasks properly. One result of this may be that your blood pressure is too high. You may also feel weaker than usual. If both kidneys stop being able to produce enough urine between them, you excrete little urine. Too much fluid then remains in the body. This fluid can then collect in the legs, for example.

If both kidneys together can no longer function properly, certain substances can also accumulate in the body. These substances are normally excreted in the urine. The body can be damaged by these substances. You may get tired quickly and find it difficult to concentrate.

The kidneys also produce messenger substances. With kidney disease, there may be insufficient production of messengers. This can impact on the body in many ways. For example, the bones may become less solid. The mineral levels and the acidity in the blood may also change.