What is Residual Renal Function (RRF)?

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Dialysis

Dialysis is a medical treatment that filters waste and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys are no longer able to do so effectively. There are two main types of dialysis: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Hemodialysis involves filtering the blood through an artificial kidney machine, while peritoneal dialysis uses the patient's own abdomen and a special solution to filter the blood.

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Residual Renal Function (RRF)

Residual renal function (RRF) indicates your kidneys’ ability to remove water and toxins from your body. Urine production after starting dialysis indicates RRF, which shows that the kidneys are still functioning to some extent. To determine RRF Level, the amount and frequency of urination must be measured. Talk to your medical care team for more details.

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Preserving RRF

The type of dialysis, the cause of kidney failure, blood pressure control, medications, and race can all impact the preservation of residual renal function. It is important to maintain residual renal function because it can improve quality of life and potentially extend life expectancy.

Some ways to preserve residual renal function include good blood pressure control, tight blood sugar control if applicable, use of certain medications like ACE inhibitors, and avoiding medications that are toxic to the kidneys.

There is also some evidence that starting kidney failure patients on peritoneal dialysis or gradually increasing hemodialysis may lead to better preservation of residual renal function. It is important to discuss these options with a healthcare provider to determine the best course of action for individual circumstances. While it is important to maintain residual renal function, it is also important to understand that the decision to initiate and maintain dialysis is based on multiple factors, including lab tests and the patient's symptoms, and not necessarily on the volume of urine produced. For example, even if a patient has residual renal function, they may still need to start dialysis if their lab tests show high levels of waste and fluid in the blood that are causing symptoms like fatigue, weakness, and swelling.

Preserving residual renal function can be challenging, as it can be affected by various factors such as the type of dialysis, the cause of kidney failure, blood pressure control, and medications. Patients on peritoneal dialysis tend to make urine from their kidneys longer than those on hemodialysis, and the cause of kidney failure can also play a role in the preservation of residual renal function. Blood pressure control is also important, as drops in blood pressure can accelerate the loss of residual renal function. Certain medications can help preserve residual renal function, while others may be harmful to the kidneys. Non-white race has also been associated with a faster loss of residual kidney function.

There are several interventions that can help preserve residual renal function for longer periods of time, including good blood pressure control, tight blood sugar control for patients with diabetes, and the use of certain medications like ACE inhibitors. It is also important to avoid medications that are toxic to the kidneys, such as NSAIDs and aminoglycosides. Some studies have also suggested that starting kidney failure patients on peritoneal dialysis or gradually increasing hemodialysis may lead to better preservation of residual renal function. However, these strategies are still a subject of debate and it is important to discuss them with a healthcare provider to determine the best course of action.

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Benefits of Preserving RRF

There are several benefits of persevering residual renal function and they include:

• Fewer food and drink restrictions
• Cleaner blood with fewer toxins
• Healthier heart and bones
• Reduced sodium levels
• Less swelling

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Video

In this video, Dr. Chandandeep Takkar discusses the importance of residual renal function.

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Summary

In summary, urine production after starting dialysis is known as residual renal function and indicates that the kidneys are still functioning to some extent. Maintaining residual renal function is important because it can improve quality of life and potentially extend life expectancy. There are several interventions that can help preserve residual renal function, including good blood pressure control, tight blood sugar control, and the use of certain medications. It is also important to avoid medications that are toxic to the kidneys. The decision to initiate and maintain dialysis is based on multiple factors, including lab tests and the patient's symptoms, and is not necessarily based on the volume of urine produced. It is important to discuss these options with a healthcare provider to determine the best course of options with a healthcare provider to determine the best course of action for individual circumstances.

It is important for patients with chronic kidney disease to understand and manage their condition to improve their quality of life and extend their life expectancy. This includes working with a healthcare team to monitor their condition, following a healthy diet and lifestyle, and taking medications as prescribed. It is also important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of kidney failure, such as fatigue, weakness, swelling, and difficulty breathing, and to seek medical attention if these symptoms occur.

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Related Articles

What is Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)?

What is Dialysis?

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References

Do You Continue to Make Urine After Starting Dialysis?

What is your residual renal function?

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About the Author

Rich Foreman brings over 30 years of technology leadership to his role of CEO and Co-Founder of KidneySoft.  As founding CTO, Rich led the team that developed the CordicoShield / CordicoFire Wellness App. Cordico was honored with the Sacramento Innovation Award in 2021. After achieving a 7 digit ARR, Cordico was acquired by Lexipol in 2020. Rich has a BS in Industrial Engineering from the University of Washington, an MPA from Troy State University and was an officer in the U.S. Navy. Rich co-authored his book, "Tap into the Mobile Economy." Rich's blog was listed in Top 20 Marketing Mobile Blogs of 2014. He has been featured on KCRA3, NEWS10, 1170 Tech AM PowerDrive, Business Radio Money 105.5, SiliconIndia, the Sacramento Business Journal, and the Sacramento Bee. Rich is also the Founding Director of the Sacramento Chapter of Startup Grind and served a term as Utility Commissioner for the City of Folsom. Rich is a regular contributor to TechWire.net and StartupSac. Rich was the Co-founder of Apptology which was named Small Business of the Year in 2014 by the Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber. He was also the Founding Chief Technology Officer at Cordico. Cordico was acquired by Lexipol in 2020.  Rich also served 4 years as a Naval Officer in the Civil Engineer Corps.

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Patient Education Disclaimer

This material is for informational purposes only. It does not replace the advice or counsel of a doctor or health care professional. KidneyLuv makes every effort to provide information that is accurate and timely, but makes no guarantee in this regard. You should consult with, and rely only on the advice of, your physician or health care professional.

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