THE FAILING KIDNEY What is end-stage renal disease (also called ESRD) ?
End-stage renal (kidney) disease occurs when the kidneys no longer perform their vital functions. The kidneys are responsible for filtering the blood, excreting the end products of body metabolism in the urine, and regulating concentrations of hydrogen, sodium, potassium, phosphate and other ions in the body. The kidneys help control blood pressure by regulating the fluid and salt content within the body. They also make a form of vitamin D and a substance that causes the bone marrow to create red blood cells.
