End-stage renal failure--also called end-stage renal disease--is a condition in which the kidneys can no longer function normally. This disease is typically diagnosed when kidney function dips below 10 percent of normal, according to MedlinePlus, a medical information website supported by the National Institutes of Health. Patients who develop end-stage renal failure symptoms require continual dialysis treatment or a kidney transplant in order to avoid potentially fatal medical complications.
Dry Skin
When the kidneys can no longer function normally, toxic waste products accumulate in the body. As a result, patients experiencing end-stage renal failure can develop dry, itchy skin as a symptom of this condition, explains the University of Maryland Medical Center, UMMC. Dry, itchy skin can be uncomfortable, but these symptoms can be controlled through the use of a daily moisturizing lotion.
Stomach Upset
Toxins that build up within the body can cause stomach upset in patients undergoing end-stage renal failure. These stomach upset symptoms can include nausea, vomiting or decrease appetite. Affected patients may frequently vomit upon waking in the morning, warns MedlinePlus. In combination, these stomach upset symptoms can contribute to significant, progressive, unintended weight loss in end-stage renal failure patients.
Headache or Fatigue
Headache or excessive fatigue can arise as symptoms of this disease. Toxic waste within the body interferes with the body's ability to generate energy. As a result, patients with end-stage renal failure can appear tired, weak, confused or have difficulty concentration, explains Aurora Health Care. These symptoms can negatively impact a patient's ability to remain alert during normal daily activities at work or home.
Swelling
The kidneys normally function to remove excess fluid from the blood, which is then excreted as urine. If the kidneys can't function normally, this fluid remains within the body. When this occurs, patients with end-stage renal failure can develop swelling of the feet, ankles or hands--a symptom called edema, reports MedlinePlus. Swelling of the extremities can be uncomfortable and may limit a patient's ability to move the hands or feet normally.
Numbness or Muscle Twitching
Excessive waste within the body can lead to nerve or brain damage in patients. As a result, patients with this disease can develop sensations of numbness or tingling within the feet or hands, reports UMMC. Certain patients can also experience unusual cramping or twitching of the muscles, which can be painful.
Sleeping Difficulties
A number of sleeping difficulties, such as sleep apnea or insomnia, can occur due to poor kidney function in affected patients, warns MedlinePlus. These sleep-related difficulties can be severe and may exacerbate fatigue symptoms in patients with this disease.
Skin or Nail Discoloration
Patients with this disease can exhibit unusually dark or light patches of skin across their bodies as a symptom of poor kidney function. Kidney damage can increase a patient's risk of developing bruises following minor injuries, such as bumping into a table or chair. Certain patients can also develop changes in their nails, explains UMMC. A patient's nails can appear unusually discolored or may crack or break easily.
