When the kidneys lose their ability to function effectively, a person may experience kidney failure. What are the main Kidney failure symptoms?

What are the main kidney failure symptoms?

Kidney failure falls into the following categories: (1)(2)(3)(5)

• Acute kidney failure, which occurs when the kidneys suddenly fail to filter waste from the blood. This condition develops rapidly over a few days or hours and usually occurs in individuals with serious illnesses.
• Chronic kidney failure, which occurs when the kidneys gradually lose their ability to filter waste from the blood over time.

Acute Kidney Failure symptoms

When the kidneys suddenly lose their ability to filter waste, levels of dangerous waste substances in the body increase, disrupting the blood’s chemical makeup. This leads to the following symptoms: (2)

• Fluid retention in the body results in swelling of the feet, ankles, and legs.
• Irregular heartbeats.
• Pain and pressure in the chest.
• Shortness of breath.
• Fatigue and confusion.
• Nausea.
• Weakness.
• Decreased urine output.
• Seizures or coma in severe cases.

Chronic Kidney Failure symptoms

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as many as 90% of people with chronic kidney disease are unaware that they have it because it usually does not cause noticeable symptoms in the early stages. However, as kidney failure progresses and kidney damage worsens, symptoms become more evident. (5)(3)

• Symptoms of Early Stages of Kidney Failure

Early symptoms of kidney failure are often subtle and difficult to pinpoint. They may include: (1)

• decreased urine output.
• Unexplained Shortness of breath.
• Swelling of the limbs due to fluid retention.
  
  
  
• Symptoms of Advanced Stages of Kidney Failure

As kidney failure progresses, possible symptoms may include: (3)(4)(5)

• Nausea and vomiting.
• Loss of appetite.
• Dry, itchy skin.
• Restless legs.
• Painful muscle cramps.
• Extreme fatigue and excessive drowsiness.
• Urinating more or less.
• Decreased mental sharpness (confusion, trouble concentrating).
• Uncontrolled high blood pressure.
• Chest pain and pressure if fluid builds ups around the lining of the heart.
• Unexplained shortness of breath if fluid builds ups in the lungs.
• Swelling of ankles and feet caused by fluid retention.
  
  

Please note that these symptoms may vary from person to person, and it is essential to consult a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Does Kidney Failure Affect the Color of Urine?

You won’t be able to determine the condition of your kidney function based on the color of your urine until significant kidney damage has occurred. However, changes in urine color may be a warning sign of some health problem: (1)

• Clear or pale yellow urine: This is the ideal urine color, indicating adequate hydration.
• Dark yellow or amber urine: This color indicates dehydration, so it is necessary to drink more water and cut down on carbonated beverages and caffeine.
• Orange urine: The orange color can indicate two conditions: dehydration or the presence of bile in the bloodstream. This color is not specifically related to kidney failure.
• Pink or red urine: The pink or red color indicates the presence of blood in the urine, which can be associated with urinary tract infections or the consumption of foods like beets or strawberries.
• Foamy urine: Foamy urine refers to urine that contains excess bubbles, indicating a high amount of protein in the urine, which can result from kidney diseases.

How does someone know if they have kidney failure?

Since most cases of kidney failure, especially chronic kidney failure, do not cause noticeable symptoms, the condition is often detected through abnormal test results. It is recommended to undergo regular tests such as blood tests to measure kidney function and urine tests to check for protein or blood. (6)