There are several different diseases and conditions that are known causes of kidney failure. For some people, however, the cause is never known

The most common causes

Diabetes can damage the small blood vessels (glomeruli) in the kidneys. How? High levels of blood glucose (blood sugar) damage the kidneys. Waste products build up in the blood. If nothing is done, the kidneys may stop working.

Hypertension (high blood pressure that is not treated) can also damage the small blood vessels (glomeruli) in the kidneys. If the high blood pressure continues, the kidneys may fail.

Other causes

Glomerulonephritis is inflammation of the small blood vessels in the kidney. This disease usually affects both kidneys and causes steady damage. It may be hereditary.

Other diseases such as lupus may also damage the kidneys.

A blockage is any condition where urine cannot flow out of the kidney. The blockage makes it difficult for the kidneys to remove wastes and extra fluids. Obstructive uropathy is a blockage of urine flow out of the kidney, which may be caused by kidney stones or a birth defect of the kidney.
Infection is the most common disorder of the urinary tract. Cystitis is a bladder infection. Symptoms include urgent, frequent, painful urination. If not treated cystitis may lead to a kidney infection. Repeated kidney infections may lead to kidney failure in some rare cases.

Pyelonephritis is a kidney infection that may be caused by a kidney birth defect. Someone who has this infection may or may not feel sick. Possible symptoms include fever, back pain, and chills.

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD), a hereditary condition, can lead to kidney failure. When someone has this disease, cysts grow and damage the kidneys. Then the kidneys enlarge, and eventually they stop working.