Long-Term Effects of Renal Failure

Renal failure happens when the kidneys are no longer able to perform their task of filtering waste and toxins out of the body. There are two types of renal failure--acute and chronic. While acute renal failure occurs rapidly, chronic renal failure is a slower process that can have serious long-term effects on the body if left unchecked.

Symptoms of Chronic Renal Failure

• Unfortunately there is no clear sign that your kidneys are beginning to fail, other than a blood test. Apart from a general sense of malaise and a reduced appetite, there are no strong indications of kidney failure. Generally, if you have a blood relative with known kidney issues, are on medications that may cause kidney failure or are at risk for kidney problems due to high blood pressure or diabetes then you should have regular screenings for kidney issues.

What Happens with Chronic Renal Failure

• There are five stages of chronic renal failure that cause mild to severe kidney damage. Left untreated, the kidneys stop filtering harmful substances out of the body, so one of the initial effects is the buildup of chemicals that are toxic to the body.

  Because chronic renal failure prevents the kidneys from filtering wastes from the body, it results in a build up of nitrogen and other wastes in the blood, which slowly poisons the entire body.

Initial Long-Term Effects

• According to the National Institutes of Health, the initial noticeable effects are frequently hiccuping, feeling unusually fatigued and ill, unusual generalized itching (called pruritus), frequent nausea, vomiting and headaches along with unintentional weight loss. These effects can have a serious impact on the body that lingers even after kidney treatment and management begins.

Later Stage Long-Term Effects

• As your kidneys become further damaged, the later, the NIH lists long-term effects such as bloody vomit and/or stools, severely increased or decreased urine, a marked decrease in alertness (delirium, orcoma, confusion and drowsiness), diminished sensations in the hands, feet and other areas, muscle cramps and twitching, seizures, and uremic frost (when white crystals form on the skin).

How To Test for Chronic Renal Failure

• A blood test or urinalysis will show elevated levels of proteins, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine and potassium. After that, X-rays or other further tests are performed to figure out the level of damage to the kidneys.

  Generally speaking, the Mayo Clinic recommends if you have a history of diabetes, high blood pressure (the medication to treat these diseases can affect the kidneys), or a family history of kidney problems then you should have a yearly checkup to make sure your kidneys are healthy. If your doctor prescribes medication that could affect your kidneys, then you should also be alert for any of the symptoms of chronic renal failure.