Signs & Symptoms of Acute Renal Failure

Acute renal failure, also called acute kidney failure, occurs when both kidneys shut down. It happens suddenly, but is sometimes temporary and in a different category than chronic kidney failure. Since acute renal failure happens quickly, you may miss or ignore the initial symptoms since they could be all part of another, milder illness. After this stage, your symptoms will begin to pile up rapidly and you will need to seek medical intervention to stop the episode of renal failure.

Signs

• Signs pointing to acute renal failure are frequent or decreased urine production, coughing, high blood pressure, loss of breath easily, a fast, slow or arrhythmic heart beat, dehydration and fluid retention. If you are experiencing several of these signs all at once, you should consider calling your doctor for a consultation as soon as possible.

Early Stage Symptoms

• Early stage symptoms may be very subtle and you may think that nothing is wrong with you. Early symptoms also cover a wide variety of the body, so you may believe you are ill and see nothing indicating that your kidneys are beginning to fail. The early symptoms are decreased urine production, swelling of the body, trouble with concentration, confusion, fatigue and lethargy, nausea and vomiting, stomach pain, and a metallic taste in your mouth.

Noticeable Symptoms

• When you begin to have noticeable signs of renal failure, it is important for a doctor to examine you and run tests so you can obtain treatment as soon as possible. The symptoms are hemorrhage, fever, unusual weakness, unexplained rash, lack of appetite, back pain, bloody diarrhea, muscle cramps and pale skin. Your doctor will determine your treatment. He may choose to send you to a hospital for care, put you on a special diet, and may prescribe diuretics or medications.