Fluid retention and fatigue are common symptoms of renal failure, but sometimes there are no symptoms at all. Renal failure, or kidney failure, results when the kidneys lose their ability to filter body waste. Diabetes, hypertension and pregnancy can cause renal failure. According to a November 2007 article in the "Journal of the American Medical Association," rates of renal failure in the United States increased steadily from 1999 to 2004, in relation to a higher number of diabetic and hypertensive patients.
Fluid Retention
Fluid retention, or edema, is often the very first sign of renal failure. As the kidneys begin to shut down, the body begins to retain fluid that would normally be flushed from the body. This fluid may contain waste product and electrolytes. A patient may notice swelling of his feet, hands and legs. This is due to the fluid retention.
Fatigue
Fatigue, drowsiness and even confusion are all symptoms of renal failure. This is due to anemia. People experiencing kidney failure often fail to produce erythropoietin , a hormone that helps the body manufacture red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body. Without enough oxygen, the body does not effectively draw energy from the food it processes. This results in people with renal failure tiring easily and feeling drained and fatigued.
Itchy Skin
Renal failure can cause itchy skin, or pruritus. This is caused by the toxins that are no longer filtered by the kidneys and so remain in the body. People experiencing kidney failure also have high levels of parathyroid, an endocrine hormone that regulates the levels of phosphorus and calcium in the body. High levels of parathyroid can also cause itchy skin.
Changes in Urination
A person with renal failure may experience increased volume and frequency of urination, especially at night. Conversely, she may also experience a decreased volume of urine or even the complete lack of urine. Both conditions are caused by the process of the kidneys shutting down. There may also be blood in the urine. A urine test may reveal high levels of urea or creatinine, waste products normally filtered by the kidneys.
High Blood Pressure
There is a dangerous cycle of high blood pressure in renal failure patients. High blood pressure can lead to renal failure. High blood pressure causes the body's circulation and cardiac systems to work much harder than normal. Over time, this can damage the blood vessels in the kidneys. The damaged blood vessels lead to edema. Edema in renal patients increases blood pressure even more.
References
- "JAMA"; Prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease in the United States; Josef Coresh, MD, PhD, November 2007
