Bill Cosby's daughter Ensa Cosby died on February 26, 2018, from renal disease, after suffering from kidney issues throughout her short life. She was just 44 years old.
Renal disease, a stage of kidney disease, is a serious issue that can lead to death if not treated. According to the Kidney Fund, it’s the ninth most common cause of the death in the United States.
But just what exactly is renal disease? What are its symptoms? Here’s everything you need to know about the symptoms of kidney failure and Bill Cosby’s daughter Ensa Cosby.
What is renal disease?
Renal disease, also known as kidney failure or end-stage renal disease (ESRD), is the final stage of chronic kidney disease.
It occurs when the kidneys fail, preventing the body from removing wastes and fluids. There is no known cure, although certain procedures can help patients live longer and alleviate pain.
This condition is fatal if left untreated and requires a kidney transplant or dialysis for the patient to survive. Diabetes and high blood pressure are generally seen as the most common causes of renal disease. Urinary tract issues, genetic diseases and autoimmune diseases are also causes of renal disease.
Acute renal failure, also known as acute kidney injury, can also be caused by alcohol and drug abuse, heart attacks, urinary tract problems and a lack of blood flow to the kidneys.
This type of kidney failure can occur suddenly within 48 hours but is not always permanent.
Kidney failure symptoms
Kidney failure symptoms generally occur slowly and are often not noticeable until the kidneys are seriously damaged.
Common symptoms include nausea, itching, muscle cramps, trouble breathing and swelling in the ankles and feet.
The symptoms of acute kidney failure generally include back pain, abdominal pain, fever, rashes, diarrhea and vomiting.
Bill Cosby’s daughter Ensa
Ensa Cosby, daughter of comedian Bill Cosby, passed away from renal disease on the evening of February 23.
Cosby had been suffering with kidney issues for her entire life and died in Massachusetts on the family’s property. She was employed as a yoga instructor and had previously appeared in a 1989 episode of The Cosby Show.
Cosby had been a tireless defender of her father during his sexual assault trial in 2017.