The progressive or sudden loss of kidney function is a condition referred to as renal or kidney failure. There are three different stages of renal failure: acute, chronic and end-stage, explain medical professionals at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. In healthy people, the kidneys function to remove waste and toxins from the body by excreting them as urine. When the kidneys can no longer perform this function efficiently, patients can develop symptoms of renal failure.
Increased or Decreased Urination
Kidney damage characteristic of renal failure can affect the way in which waste fluid is removed from the body. Patients with acute renal failure may suddenly stop producing urine, while patients with chronic renal failure can experience a progressive increase in urination, explain BCM medical officials. Frequent urination in chronic renal failure patients typically occurs during the night. Patients who notice changes in their urination frequency should seek additional medical care, as these symptoms of renal failure can also be signs of alternate medical issues.
Swelling
If the kidneys can't remove fluid from the body, this fluid begins to accumulate within body tissues. As a result, patients can experience swelling of the feet, ankles or legs as symptoms of renal failure, reports MayoClinic.com. These symptoms can be uncomfortable and may interfere with a patient's ability to move about normally. Body swelling that occurs in conjunction with chest pain should be immediately reported to a medical professional, as these symptoms can be signs of heart failure.
Nausea or Vomiting
Nausea and vomiting can occur in patients experiencing renal failure, explains the Merck Manual, an online medical encyclopedia for healthcare professionals. These stomach upset symptoms can contribute to decreased appetite or weight loss in certain patients. Affected patients may also experience frequent episodes of diarrhea, which can lead to abdominal pain or bloating. Additionally, inadequate food consumption or recurrent diarrhea can lead to muscle or tissue wasting in renal failure patients.
Flu-like Symptoms
Renal failure can cause flu-like symptoms to arise in affected patients. These symptoms can include fever, severe weakness, fatigue, muscle pain or cramps, headache or malaise, reports the University of Virginia Health System in Charlottesville. Affected patients should discuss these renal failure symptoms with a physician.
Metallic Taste
Patients with chronic renal failure can develop an unpleasant metallic taste within the mouth, according to UVA. This symptom may exacerbate nausea or appetite loss in affected patients.
Dry, Itchy Skin
Chronic renal failure patients can develop unusually dry, itchy skin as a symptom of kidney damage. Affected patients may also bruise easily or experience tingling sensations within their hands or feet, explains BCM. Additionally, certain patients with chronic renal failure can develop involuntary muscle twitching as a symptom of this condition.
