Kidney failure is an extremely serious kidney problem. It may even be fatal. Once kidney failure has occurred, you either need kidney dialysis for the rest of your life, or kidney transplantation surgery.
Symptoms of kidney failure often go unrecognized until the disease has progressed to a very dangerous stage.
The first clue that kidney failure may be in progress often appears in your body chemistry as electrolyte balances become irregular. The kidneys become less efficient at eliminating water and clearing toxins, which are two of the kidneys’ major roles.
There’s also a drop in the production of red blood cells (one of the other important roles played by the kidneys).
As kidney failure continues to progress, the patient may start to experience these symptoms:
* a sense of lethargy,
* a general feeling that you don’t have much strength or vitality,
* shortness of breath,
* swelling.
Failure to recognize the above symptoms can have serious consequences, including:
A lack of red blood cells - Muscles and tissues won’t get the oxygen they need. This leads to weakness and fatigue.
Inadequate potassium excretion - Excessive potassium levels can result in serious problems for heart rhythm.
Metabolic acidosis - Your body doesn’t manufacture enough bicarbonate, causing higher levels of acidity in your system. When this happens, enzyme and oxygen metabolism is affected, which leads to kidney failure.
Uremia - Urea the primary solid component in urine. It is a waste chemical produced during the digestion of protein. The kidneys filter urea from our blood and it leaves the body in our urine. When urea begins to build up in your system, it can cause problems with your heart, brain and muscles. The following symptoms become more pronounced
* decreased interest in food
* low energy, even high levels of fatigue,
* decreased mental and cognitive abilities.
By the time these symptoms begin to appear, the kidneys are severely damaged and coma is a possibility.
When kidney failure reaches the critical stage, organs don’t work as well and metabolic systems begin to collapse. Blood pressure rises because of excess fluids circulating in the body, and congestive heart failure becomes a serious threat. Breathing increases rapidly.
Medical intervention is critical at this point if the patient is to survive.
If you want to find additional information on topics related to this article, click on Kidney Failure and Its Symptoms. George McKenzie is a retired TV anchor, medical reporter and radio talk show host. He has a special interest in kidney-related issues, and frequently contributes articles to Got a Kidney Problem?, a resource website about kidney health and wellness.