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Different Symptoms of Kidney Failure

The job of the kidneys is to remove excess salt and fluids from the body and eliminate waste materials from the blood. When the kidneys are diseased and no longer function properly, they begin to fail. Two types of kidney disease exist: acute and chronic. Acute disease is the sudden failure of the kidneys with rapid onset of symptoms, while a variety of medical conditions cause chronic kidney disease, which gets progressively worse over time, according to the National Institutes of Health. Eventually, both acute and chronic kidney disease lead to kidney failure.

  1. Edema

    • Edema, or swelling, often develops throughout the body as a result of kidney failure, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. The swelling develops because the body retains fluids when the kidneys do not function normally. Swelling can develop in the feet and ankles or be generalized throughout the body.

    Loss of Appetite

    • People experiencing kidney failure often experience a loss of appetite as waste products begin to build up in the body because the organs are not functioning properly, according to MedicineNet. Lethargy and fatigue can also develop when this occurs.

    Urination Changes

    • People experiencing kidney failure may also experience a variety of changes to their normal urination habits, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. For example, some people urinate less than usual or cease urinating altogether. Others may experience excessive urination at night.

    Rapid Breathing

    • As the kidneys fail, they cannot regulate the amount of acid in the body, according to MedicineNet. This can cause rapid breathing because the lungs try to do this work by eliminating carbon dioxide. In addition, fluid can accumulate in the lungs, causing rapid breathing and possibly congestive heart failure.

    Pain

    • Kidney failure can also cause pain in the flanks, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Pain is generally felt near the kidneys, in the back region between the hips and the rib cage.

    Gastrointestinal Conditions

    • Kidney failure can cause a variety of gastrointestinal conditions, including nausea and vomiting and bloody diarrhea, according to MayoClinic.com. Bouts of nausea and vomiting can last for several days.

    Weakness

    • When the kidneys begin to fail, people experience weakness and fatigue because anemia develops, according to MedicineNet. Anemia, which is a condition that results from a low red blood cell count, develops because the kidneys are not stimulating bone marrow production.

    Loss of Feeling

    • People whose kidneys are failing can also experience a loss of sensation, most often in the hands and feet, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.

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