Renal Failure: Kidney Failure Symptoms
Renal failure is a medical condition that is characterized by loss of kidney function. Renal failure is categorized into acute renal failure and chronic renal failure. Scroll down to know more about renal failure symptoms.
Kidneys are bean-shaped organs that are located just below the rib cage in the back of the abdomen. They perform an important function of filtering out the wastes and toxins that are created by the body's constant metabolism. All the waste materials that are filtered from the blood are flushed out from the body in the form of urine. Renal failure or kidney failure, as the name suggests, is a medical condition that is characterized by the inability of the kidneys to filter out the unwanted materials. When the kidneys fail to perform their function, the balance of fluids and electrolytes gets disturbed, thereby creating serious health problems. One must therefore watch out for the common renal failure symptoms. As mentioned earlier, renal failure is categorized into acute renal failure and chronic renal failure. While acute renal failure is characterized by the sudden loss of kidney function, one is diagnosed with chronic renal failure when loss of kidney function takes place over time. If diagnosed at an early stage, the symptoms of acute renal failure can be alleviated. However, chronic kidney failure symptoms seldom appear in the initial stages, and considerable kidney damage may already have occurred by the time the symptoms appear. It is therefore essential to pay attention to symptoms that may be indicative of kidney damage. Here's some information on the signs and symptoms of renal failure.
Types of Renal Failure
Acute renal failure, as the name suggests, takes place rapidly. Sudden loss of kidney function could take place over days, weeks or months. It could be caused by an illness that directly affects the kidneys. An autoimmune kidney disease, acute tubular necrosis or decreased blood flow to the kidneys owing to low blood pressure resulting from an injury, hemorrhage, septic shock or severe dehydration could also make one susceptible to acute kidney failure. Development of kidney stones that lead to the obstruction of urine could also be responsible for causing acute kidney failure. Clotting within the blood vessels in the kidneys could also be a contributory factor. Elderly people are definitely at a higher risk of developing kidney failure. If the symptoms are recognized and treated early, these conditions are usually totally curable.
On the other hand, chronic renal failure happens gradually. The loss of renal function usually takes place over the years. The initial symptoms are usually very mild and could go unnoticed for years. People who have been diagnosed with medical conditions such as diabetes, lupus, bladder cancer, scleroderma, vasculitis, kidney infection, kidney stones, renal artery stenosis or hypertension are at an increased risk of developing chronic kidney failure. More often than not, chronic renal failure symptoms are noticed when it is too late and in a majority of cases, very little can be done to reverse the situation. The signs and symptoms of kidney failure are usually similar in acute as well as chronic renal failure, with the severity of the symptoms increasing and worsening in chronic renal failure.
Signs and Symptoms of Acute Renal Failure (ARF)
Acute renal failure is more likely to affect the elderly, or those who have a history of diabetes, high blood pressure, heart problems, weight problems, kidney or liver disease. Acute kidney failure symptoms in the elderly could constitute one or more of the following:
Most of the people who are in the process of developing CRF are not even aware of it due to the mild symptoms and the amount of time (many years at times) it takes to develop. Kidney failure symptoms during CRF could constitute one or more of the following:
Medically known as edema, the collection of fluid in the body that may result due to the loss of kidney function, may give rise to puffiness. The patient's face, hands, legs, feet and ankles may swell up due to fluid retention. Since the kidneys can't filter and excrete the toxic waste, toxicity of the blood would keep on increasing, thereby creating eruptions and skin rashes throughout the body. This is combined with a strong urge to itch.
There is a constant foul taste in the mouth, leading to loss of appetite which in turn may cause the patient to lose weight rapidly. The patient may even feel out of breath as the blood is filled with toxins and the blood's oxygen-carrying capacity has been adversely affected. The lung function may also get affected due to the water retention. This lack of oxygen throughout the body may even cause dizziness and memory lapse.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Renal Failure
If a person is exhibiting the aforementioned symptoms, medical assistance should be sought immediately. Doctors usually order certain diagnostic tests in order to determine if the patient's kidneys are functioning properly or not. Blood tests may help in determining the levels of creatinine and urea in the blood. Urinalysis will also provide valuable information. For instance, abnormally high levels of albumin in the urine is an indicator of malfunctioning kidneys. Imaging tests such as an ultrasound, CT scan or MRI may also help in detecting any abnormal growth or blockage. If a growth is detected, a biopsy may be done to determine if the growth is benign or malignant.
Once the doctors are able to identify the underlying cause of kidney failure, they may recommend the use of certain drugs. They may follow the symptomatic treatment approach and prescribe drugs for alleviating specific symptoms. Certain dietary modifications may also be suggested. The patient may be asked to follow a diet that is low in protein, potassium and phosphorus. If high blood pressure is playing the culprit, the patient may have to follow a low-salt diet. The symptoms of acute renal failure can be managed and kidney function can be restored with timely medical treatment, but in absence of medical assistance, the acute renal failure symptoms can worsen and acute renal failure can progress to chronic renal failure. Dialysis and kidney transplant are the only treatment options in case of end-stage kidney disease wherein one's kidneys are working at less than 15 percent of their capacity.
This was a brief overview on renal failure. Chronic renal failure cannot be cured completely which is why it becomes extremely essential to treat any underlying medical condition that may lead to renal failure so as to prevent it from progressing to chronic renal failure. One must therefore consult a doctor on experiencing any of the aforementioned renal failure symptoms.
Types of Renal Failure
Acute renal failure, as the name suggests, takes place rapidly. Sudden loss of kidney function could take place over days, weeks or months. It could be caused by an illness that directly affects the kidneys. An autoimmune kidney disease, acute tubular necrosis or decreased blood flow to the kidneys owing to low blood pressure resulting from an injury, hemorrhage, septic shock or severe dehydration could also make one susceptible to acute kidney failure. Development of kidney stones that lead to the obstruction of urine could also be responsible for causing acute kidney failure. Clotting within the blood vessels in the kidneys could also be a contributory factor. Elderly people are definitely at a higher risk of developing kidney failure. If the symptoms are recognized and treated early, these conditions are usually totally curable.
On the other hand, chronic renal failure happens gradually. The loss of renal function usually takes place over the years. The initial symptoms are usually very mild and could go unnoticed for years. People who have been diagnosed with medical conditions such as diabetes, lupus, bladder cancer, scleroderma, vasculitis, kidney infection, kidney stones, renal artery stenosis or hypertension are at an increased risk of developing chronic kidney failure. More often than not, chronic renal failure symptoms are noticed when it is too late and in a majority of cases, very little can be done to reverse the situation. The signs and symptoms of kidney failure are usually similar in acute as well as chronic renal failure, with the severity of the symptoms increasing and worsening in chronic renal failure.
Signs and Symptoms of Acute Renal Failure (ARF)
Acute renal failure is more likely to affect the elderly, or those who have a history of diabetes, high blood pressure, heart problems, weight problems, kidney or liver disease. Acute kidney failure symptoms in the elderly could constitute one or more of the following:
- Sudden decrease in urine output
- Excessive urination at night
- Pain on one side of the back, above the waist and just below the rib cage
- Abnormal swelling of the legs and feet
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting accompanied by diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Restlessness
- Metallic taste in the mouth
- Fatigue
- Nosebleeds
- Hiccups
- Mood changes
- Easy bruising
- Bad breath
- Bloody stools
Most of the people who are in the process of developing CRF are not even aware of it due to the mild symptoms and the amount of time (many years at times) it takes to develop. Kidney failure symptoms during CRF could constitute one or more of the following:
- Change in frequency of urination with a marked change in color of urine
- Decreased urine output with the need to urinate frequently at night
- Water retention in the body (face, hands, legs, feet, ankles)
- Constant feeling of tiredness, even while relaxing
- Skin eruptions combined with severe itching
- Loss of appetite
- Bad breath
- Severe nausea and vomiting
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling cold even in warm surroundings
- Dizziness
- Poor concentration
- Flank pain
- Weakness
- Headaches
- Frequent muscle cramps
- Excessive thirst
- High blood pressure
- Marked paleness of skin and nail color
Medically known as edema, the collection of fluid in the body that may result due to the loss of kidney function, may give rise to puffiness. The patient's face, hands, legs, feet and ankles may swell up due to fluid retention. Since the kidneys can't filter and excrete the toxic waste, toxicity of the blood would keep on increasing, thereby creating eruptions and skin rashes throughout the body. This is combined with a strong urge to itch.
There is a constant foul taste in the mouth, leading to loss of appetite which in turn may cause the patient to lose weight rapidly. The patient may even feel out of breath as the blood is filled with toxins and the blood's oxygen-carrying capacity has been adversely affected. The lung function may also get affected due to the water retention. This lack of oxygen throughout the body may even cause dizziness and memory lapse.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Renal Failure
If a person is exhibiting the aforementioned symptoms, medical assistance should be sought immediately. Doctors usually order certain diagnostic tests in order to determine if the patient's kidneys are functioning properly or not. Blood tests may help in determining the levels of creatinine and urea in the blood. Urinalysis will also provide valuable information. For instance, abnormally high levels of albumin in the urine is an indicator of malfunctioning kidneys. Imaging tests such as an ultrasound, CT scan or MRI may also help in detecting any abnormal growth or blockage. If a growth is detected, a biopsy may be done to determine if the growth is benign or malignant.
Once the doctors are able to identify the underlying cause of kidney failure, they may recommend the use of certain drugs. They may follow the symptomatic treatment approach and prescribe drugs for alleviating specific symptoms. Certain dietary modifications may also be suggested. The patient may be asked to follow a diet that is low in protein, potassium and phosphorus. If high blood pressure is playing the culprit, the patient may have to follow a low-salt diet. The symptoms of acute renal failure can be managed and kidney function can be restored with timely medical treatment, but in absence of medical assistance, the acute renal failure symptoms can worsen and acute renal failure can progress to chronic renal failure. Dialysis and kidney transplant are the only treatment options in case of end-stage kidney disease wherein one's kidneys are working at less than 15 percent of their capacity.
This was a brief overview on renal failure. Chronic renal failure cannot be cured completely which is why it becomes extremely essential to treat any underlying medical condition that may lead to renal failure so as to prevent it from progressing to chronic renal failure. One must therefore consult a doctor on experiencing any of the aforementioned renal failure symptoms.
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