Symptoms of Renal (Kidney) Failure - Part II

There are three stages of renal failure:
· Acute renal failure;
· Chronic renal failure; and
· End-stage renal failure.
The kidney cannot filter the waste and water adequately in any of these stages, but the severity of the condition varies widely. End-stage renal failure is the last stage of chronic renal failure and often requires dialysis or kidney transplantation as life-saving measures.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF RENAL FAILURE?
Renal failure typically causes nausea and vomiting, along with other symptoms that depend on the stage.

Paying attention to the symptoms of acute renal failure is crucial. The condition can be fatal if it is not diagnosed and treated within days. Symptoms may include:
· Greatly reduced urine output;
· Drowsiness and headache; and
· Back pain.

Chronic renal failure, which develops slowly, can have vague and sporadic symptoms. Typically, the syndrome begins with a feeling of weakness and a loss of appetite, followed by:
· Frequent urination, especially at night;
· Pale, itchy, and easily bruised skin;
· Shortness of breath;
· Persistent hiccups;
· Muscular twitching;
· A sensation of pins and needles in the hands, feet; or other areas and
· Leg cramps.

End-stage renal disease, a severe illness, produces noticeable symptoms, such as:
· Greatly reduced volume of urine;
· Swelling of the face, limbs, and abdomen;
· Severe lethargy;
· Headache;
· Furry tongue;
· Very itchy skin; and
· Breath that smells like ammonia.

The above information source is the Baylor College of Medicine website, written by Dr. Michael E. Debakery. For more information click Renal Failure