There are two types of kidney failure. Chronic kidney failure occurs over a long period of time. The kidneys gradually lose the ability to filter wastes, toxins and excess fluids from the blood. Chronic kidney failure can be caused by a weakened immune system or a chronic disease like diabetes.
Acute kidney failure (also known as acute renal failure) is a sudden decrease in the functioning of the kidneys. It is usually a result of a sudden illness or injury. It can occur after abdominal surgery or if blood flow to the kidneys is disrupted.
Mild or Less Noticable Symptoms
Many times doctors miss the symptoms of chronic kidney or renal failure. Symptoms such as high blood pressure, anemia and fatigue are issues on their own and sometimes not attributed to another cause. Fatigue and drowsiness are sometimes mistakenly attributed to overwork or stress. In reality, fatigue and anemia can be caused by the body's being overburdened with toxins and excess fluid. In some cases itching and skin rash may be reported. Shortness of breath may occur, as well.
Moderate Symptoms
Moderate symptoms are more noticeable and can lead to an accurate diagnosis of renal failure. Sudden weight changes, swelling in the hands and feet and changes in the color of urine are easily spotted and can give an insight as to what is happening in the body. Sudden weight gain and swelling in various parts of the body can show that the body is not eliminating fluid like it should. This indicates that the kidneys are not filtering out fluids as they build up within the body. Orange-colored or darkened urine can mean that bleeding is occurring somewhere in the body and the kidneys are not filtering the blood properly.
Back pain and pain that radiates down into the legs are also possibilities.
Few people may have breath that smells like ammonia.
Severe or Debilitating Symptoms
Decreased urine output (or none at all), jaundice and seizures are signs that renal failure has progressed to the point that other bodily organs are being affected. Decreased urine output means that fluids and toxins are remaining in the body. This can put pressure on the other organs of the body and can cause an oversaturation of fluid in the tissues that leads to swelling. Jaundice or a yellowing of the skin shows that the liver is not functioning as it should. This could be a result of an overabundance of fluid and toxins that are accumulating in the body. Seizures are also a possibility if renal failure becomes so severe that the toxins that are left in the body begin to accumulate in the brain.
