Shell Kepler, died at the of 49, but what did she die off?

Renal Failure.

What causes it?

The most common cause of renal failure (RF) are:

* Diabetes (30 per cent of patients with diabetes develop kidney failure)
* Inflammation
* High blood pressure
* Long-term infection
* Blockage (possibly to kidney stones)
* Polycystic kidney disease
* Certain medicines

What are the symptoms?

People with RF might feel tired and lethargic. They also may notice they go to the toilet to pass water more frequently, especially at night.

Other symptoms include itchy skin, nausea, impotence for men and fluid retention.

A doctor would look for signs of kidney failure, then run tests to help make the diagnosis.

How's it treated?

Some dietary changes are needed to help the kidneys and a dietician would provide assistance with this. The amount of protein, sodium, potassium and fluids, will need to be modified to ease the burden on the kidneys and ensure the body doesn't become overloaded.

A kidney transplant is the main form of treatment for RF, But the list is very long to get a transplant organ.