Saturday, March 9, 2024
HomeEditor PicksWhat Are The Signs Your Kidneys Are Failing

What Are The Signs Your Kidneys Are Failing

How Will Kidney Failure Affect How I Feel About My Life

Kidney Failure Symptoms: 10 Signs Most People Will Miss!

Coping with kidney failure can be stressful. Some of the steps that you are taking to manage your kidney disease are also healthy ways to cope with stress. For example, physical activity and sleep help reduce stress. Learn more about healthy ways to cope with stress.

Depression is common among people with a chronic, or long-term, illness. Depression can make it harder to manage your kidney disease. Ask for help if you feel down. Your health care team can help you. Talking with a support group, clergy member, friend, or family member wholl listen to your feelings may help.

Treatment for depression is available.

What Causes Kidney Malfunction

A major culprit of kidney problems is an acidic diet . A brand-new study sheds light on the renal problems that can be caused by a high-acid, meat-rich diet.

The study followed 1,500 people with kidney disease for a period of 14 years. Participants who ate a diet high in meat came very close to experiencing complete kidney failure, while those who ate more fruits and vegetables did not even come close to kidney failure. Researchers estimate that an acidic diet can make it three times more likely for your kidneys to fail.1

Says lead study author Dr. Tanushree Banejee,

Patients with chronic kidney disease may want to pay more attention to diet consumption of acid rich foods to reduce progression to kidney failuredialysis treatmentsmay be avoided by adopting a more healthy diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables.1

Fatigue Being Tired All Of The Time

Why this happens:

Healthy kidneys make a hormone called erythropoietin , or EPO, that tells your body to make oxygen-carrying red blood cells. As the kidneys fail, they make less EPO. With fewer red blood cells to carry oxygen, your muscles and brain tire very quickly. This is anemia, and it can be treated.

What patients said:

I was constantly exhausted and didn’t have any pep or anything.

I would sleep a lot. I’d come home from work and get right in that bed.

Recommended Reading: Is Coconut Water Good For Kidney

Do You Sleep A Lot With Kidney Failure

Approximately 80% of patients with chronic kidney disease complain about sleep disorders, which is a much higher percentage than in the general population. Excessive daytime sleepiness is the third most frequent complaint in these patients, and it is significantly associated with a higher risk of sleep apnea.

These 5 Symptoms May Be A Sign That Your Kidneys Are In Danger:

Is it really possible to get off kidney dialysis?: 10 SYMPTOMS OF ...
1.YOURE OVERLY STRESSED

Stress can cause a variety of health concerns, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, and while this doesnt mean you undoubtedly have kidney damage, it can increase your chances.

If you experience high stress or have a history of cardiovascular events in your family, it may be wise to talk to your doctor about scheduling a test to monitor your glomerular filtration rate . Measuring your estimated GFR levels can determine how well your kidneys are working to clean your blood. Finding the right treatment and stress management plan can help promote health and wellness.

2. YOU CANT CONCENTRATE OR FEEL FATIGUED

Frequent fatigue can be a sign of numerous conditions and can be caused by a variety of factors, such as your diet and exercise routine, stress level, medical history and mental health. It can also be a sign of kidney failure, due to the toxins that build up in your blood.

When your kidneys cant filter wastes and fluids out of your bloodstream properly, you may start to feel shaky or tired. If you notice that you feel weak and achy throughout the day, or have a hard time concentrating at work, talk to your doctor about whether this could be a sign of kidney damage.

3. YOUR DAY IS DISRUPTED BY TRIPS TO THE RESTROOM
4.YOU HAVE DRY OR ITCHY SKIN

If detected early enough, these symptoms can be treated relatively easily. If theyve persisted over time, your doctor may have additional recommendations.

Read Also: How Flomax Works For Kidney Stones

Kidney Failure Definition And Facts

  • Kidneys are the organs that filter waste products from the blood. They are also involved in regulating blood pressure, electrolyte balance, and red blood cell production in the body.
  • Symptoms of kidney failure are due to the build-up of waste products and excess fluid in the body that may cause weakness, shortness of breath, lethargy, swelling, and confusion. Inability to remove potassium from the bloodstream may lead to abnormal heart rhythms and sudden death. Initially, kidney failure may cause no symptoms.
  • There are numerous causes of kidney failure, and treatment of the underlying disease may be the first step in correcting the kidney abnormality.
  • Some causes of kidney failure are treatable and the kidney function may return to normal. Unfortunately, kidney failure may be progressive in other situations and may be irreversible.
  • The diagnosis of kidney failure usually is made by blood tests measuring BUN, creatinine, and glomerular filtration rate .
  • Treatment of the underlying cause of kidney failure may return kidney function to normal. Lifelong efforts to control blood pressure and diabetes may be the best way to prevent chronic kidney disease and its progression to kidney failure. As we age, kidney function gradually decreases over time.
  • If the kidneys fail completely, the only treatment options available may be dialysis or transplant.

Stages Of Renal Failure In Dogs

The elevation of blood waste product and abnormalities in urine, including the presence of protein, can indicate the severity of chronic kidney disease.

According to the International Renal Interest Society , stages of chronic renal disease are numbered 1 through 4 . The higher the stage number, the more symptoms youll often see in your pet. Its best if some treatments are started when the pet is at a specific stage of chronic kidney disease.

Median survival time for dogs in Stage 1 is more than 400 days, while Stage 2 ranged from 200 to 400 days and Stage 3 ranged from 110 to 200 days.

End-Stage Renal Disease in Dogs

Chronic kidney disease is progressive, and there is no cure. By the time an animal shows signs of the disease, damage is severe. The nephrons that remain are working hard to compensate for the nephrons lost to damage or age. In time, these remaining nephrons will also fail.

As the disease progresses prognosis worsens and survival time decreases with each stage. Median survival time for Stage 4 kidney disease ranges from 14 to 80 days, according to IRIS.

You May Like: What Does It Feel Like Passing Kidney Stones

Stages Of Chronic Kidney Disease

Kidney failure or disease does not have overnight. Instead, it progresses over time. So there are things we can do early on to stop it at its tracks.

The estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate is an estimate of how well your kidneys are functioning. Its the rate by which the glomerulithe kidney filtersfilter your blood.

Scary Signs That Show Your Kidneys Are Shutting Down

10 Signs Your Kidneys Are Crying For Help

According to recent studies, kidney failure ranks third on the list of common health problems after heart diseases and cancer.

Statistics show that 90 percent of the Indians suffer from kidney failure, and the main cause of it is due to the nasty lifestyle and uncertain food habits that we follow.

Since the kidneys main function is to filter waste products from the blood, the fatty and high cholesterol foods that we consume on a daily basis can cause this filtering to go haywire, which in turn can cause kidney failure.

These organs also help in regulating the blood pressure, electrolyte balance and the red blood cell production in the body. So, looking after the kidneys should be our top priority!

Therefore, experts advice that every Indian should look into the foods that they consume and the beverages they opt for, if they are avoiding H2O.

Staying off fatty food items like processed and fast foods can help your kidneys to function in the right way.

So, here are some of the scary signs that show your kidneys are shutting down. You need to take a good look at these signs, so that you can get yourself treated at the earliest:

Read Also: Is Watermelon Good For The Kidneys

Read Also: Does A Kidney Biopsy Hurt

Kidney Disease: 11 Ways It Can Affect Your Skin

If you have kidney disease, you wont see early warning signs on your skin. However, as the disease progresses, you may develop one or more of the following:

  • Extremely dry skin. Skin can become so dry that it:

  • Becomes rough and scaly
  • Feels tight and cracks easily
  • Develops fish-like scales
  • Itchy skin. Extremely itchy skin is a common symptom of advanced kidney disease. The itch can range from irritating to life-disrupting. Your skin may itch all the time.

    Some people have itch on one area of their skin. The itch can also spread across most of your body.

  • Scratch marks and other signs of scratching. When you scratch often, it affects your skin. You can develop:

  • Raw, bleeding skin or sores
  • Thick, leathery skin
  • Firm, very itchy bumps
  • Color changes to your skin. When the kidneys stop working as they should, toxins build up in your body. This build-up can cause color changes to the skin. You may see any of the following:

  • An unhealthy pale color
  • Areas of darkened skin, as shown here
  • Yellowish, thick skin with bumps and deep lines
  • Cysts and spots that look like whiteheads
  • Nail changes. Kidney disease can affect the appearance of your fingernails, toenails, or both. People who have advanced kidney disease can develop:

  • A white color on the upper part of one or more nails and a normal to reddish brown color below, as shown here
  • White bands running across one or more nails
  • Acute Kidney Failure Complications

    Acute kidney failure can sometimes cause complications. These include:

    • Fluid buildup. Acute kidney failure can sometimes cause a buildup of fluid in your body. If fluid builds up in your lungs, this can cause shortness of breath.
    • Chest pain. If the lining that covers your heart becomes inflamed, you may have chest pain.
    • Acidic blood . If your blood has too much acid due to acute kidney failure, you can end up with nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, and breathlessness.
    • Muscle weakness. When your bodys fluids and electrolytes are out of balance, you can get muscle weakness. In serious cases, this can lead to paralysis and heart rhythm problems.
    • Permanent kidney damage. Acute kidney failure can become chronic and your kidneys will stop working almost entirely or completely. This is called end-stage renal disease. If this happens, you will need to go on permanent dialysis or get a kidney transplant.
    • Death. Acute kidney failure can lead to loss of kidney function that is so bad, it can cause death.

    Read Also: How Long For Flomax To Work For Kidney Stones

    Read Also: Is Amoxicillin Good For Kidney Infection

    When Kidneys Arent Doing Their Jobs

    Renal failure, also called kidney failure or kidney disease, happens when the kidneys are not working efficiently or effectively. An estimated 37 million U.S. adults are living with chronic kidney disease, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

    Even more shocking? Nine in ten adults who have it dont even know it.

    How could that be? People dont usually have noticeable signs of kidney failure until it is very advanced, says Dr. Calle.

    This sneak attack is why kidney failure is known as a silent killer.

    What Is The Prognosis And Life Expectancy For Kidney Failure Can It Be Prevented

    Causes Of Acute kidney Failure

    The outlook for kidney failure depends upon the underlying condition that caused it. Kidney function may return to normal, especially if it is due to an acute obstruction and that obstruction is relieved. Other causes of decreased kidney function leading to kidney failure are due to underlying disease and occur slowly over time.

    Prevention is the best chance to maintain kidney function, and controlling high blood pressure and diabetes over a lifetime can decrease the potential for progressive kidney damage. Chronic kidney failure may be managed to help monitor electrolyte and waste product levels in the bloodstream. Major abnormalities can be life-threatening, and treatment options may be limited to dialysis or transplant.

    Health Solutions From Our Sponsors

    Also Check: Will A Kidney Infection Cause Back Pain

    What You Can Do For Your Loved One

    Besides managing symptoms, as a family caregiver you can help by communicating what end-of-life kidney failure signs you are seeing to the patients doctor and the hospice care team. Additionally, as a loved one, you can help the patient get their affairs in order. And finally, if it hasnt been done already, by contacting a hospice services provider as soon as possible.

    What Procedures And Tests Diagnose Kidney Failure

  • hemodialysis and
  • peritoneal dialysis.
  • Hemodialysis uses a machine filter called a dialyzer or artificial kidney to remove excess water and salt, to balance the other electrolytes in the body, and to remove waste products of metabolism. Blood is removed from the body and flows through tubing into the machine, where it passes next to a filter membrane. A specialized chemical solution flows on the other side of the membrane. The dialysate is formulated to draw impurities from the blood through the filter membrane. Blood and dialysate are never touched in the artificial kidney machine.

    For this type of dialysis, access to the blood vessels needs to be surgically created so that large amounts of blood can flow into the machine and back to the body. Surgeons can build a fistula, a connection between a large artery and vein in the body, usually in the arm, that allows a large amount of blood to flow into the vein. This makes the vein swell or dilate, and its walls become thicker so that it can tolerate repeated needle sticks to attach tubing from the body to the machine. Since it takes many weeks or months for a fistula to mature enough to be used, significant planning is required if hemodialysis is to be considered as an option.

    Dialysis treatments normally occur three times a week and last a few hours at a time. Most commonly, patients travel to an outpatient center to have dialysis, but home dialysis therapy is becoming an option for some.

    Also Check: Is Cran Grape Juice Good For Your Kidneys

    What Is Kidney Disease

    Your kidneys are two bean-shaped organs that act as your bodys waste filtration system. They filter your blood 12 times per hour. Excess water and unwanted chemicals or waste in the blood are disposed of as urine .

    Kidney disease is when your kidneys are damaged in some way and are not filtering your blood effectively.

    How Can I Live Well With Kidney Failure

    What is Kidney Failure?

    Doing well with kidney failure is a challenge. You will feel better if you

    • stick to your treatment schedule
    • review your medicines with your health care provider at every visit and take your medicines as prescribed
    • work with a dietitian to develop an eating plan that includes foods you enjoy eating while also helping your health
    • stay activetake a walk or do some other physical activity that you enjoy
    • stay in touch with your friends and family

    Treatment with dialysis or transplant will help you feel better and live longer. Your health care team will work with you to create a treatment plan to address any health problems you have. Your treatment will include steps you can take to maintain your quality of life and activity level.

    Your eating plan plays an important role. When you have kidney failure, what you eat and drink may help you maintain a healthy balance of salts, minerals, and fluids in your body.

    Recommended Reading: Seltzer Kidney Stones

    You May Like: How Do You Donate A Kidney

    Living With Stage 3 Kidney Disease

    Aside from taking your prescribed medications and eating a healthy diet, adopting other lifestyle changes can help you manage CKD stage 3. Talk to your doctor about the following:

    • Exercise. Aim for a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate activity per day on most days of the week. A doctor can help you begin an exercise program safely.
    • Blood pressure management. High blood pressure can be a precursor for CKD, and it can make your condition worse. Aim for a blood pressure of 140/90 and below.
    • Stress management. Techniques can include exercise, getting better sleep, and meditation.
    • Smoking cessation. Talk to a doctor about the right methods of quitting smoking for you.

    Stage 2 Signs Of Kidney Problems

    Much like in stage 1, you may not experience any symptoms. Or while you do exhibit symptoms, they could be few and hard to detect. But since this is beyond the normal range, your doctor might want to get a closer look.

    During stage two, your kidneys continue to function. But at this point, there may be some mild damage.

    Also Check: Can Prednisone Affect Your Kidneys

    Is A Kidney Transplant An Option

    If kidney failure occurs and is non-reversible, kidney transplantation is an alternative option to dialysis. If the patient is an appropriate candidate, the healthcare professional and nephrologist will contact an organ transplant center to arrange an evaluation to see whether the patient is suitable for this treatment. If so, the search for a donor begins. Sometimes, family members have compatible tissue types and, if they are willing, may donate a kidney. Otherwise, the patient will be placed on the organ transplant list that is maintained by the United Network of Organ Sharing.

    Not all hospitals are capable of performing kidney transplants. The patient may have to travel to undergo their operation. The most successful programs are those that do many transplants every year.

    While kidney transplants have become routine, they still carry some risks. The patient will need to take anti-rejection medications that reduce the ability of the immune system to fight infection. The body can try to reject the kidney or the transplanted kidney may fail to work. As with any operation, there is a risk of bleeding and infection.

    Kidney transplants may provide a better quality of life than dialysis. After one year, 95% of transplanted kidneys are still functioning and after five years, the number is 80%. It seems that the longer a patient is on dialysis, the shorter the life of the transplanted kidney.

    RELATED ARTICLES

    Most Popular