10 Symptoms Of Kidney Failure

Kidney failure can have many indicators and we need to recognize them to take appropriate action as soon as possible. In this way, our kidneys can continue to perform their functions, which are so important for our survival.

On occasion, we may start to experience small symptoms that we don’t pay attention to: urgency to urinate, pain on one side of the back, tiredness, etc.

When we talk about kidney failure, we are referring to a certain problem in the function of two kidneys (or just one, in cases where the patient only has one kidney).

When they do not work properly, many functions of the body undergo changes, changes that will depend on the level of kidney failure, ie, whether it is acute or chronic.

Symptoms of kidney failure

1. Changes in urine

It is the most common symptom and the first one that usually appears when the problem is kidney failure.

Of course, this symptom can be associated with other problems. But it is an indicator that serves to alert us that something is not right and that we should see a doctor.

• Urgency to urinate. The desire to urinate becomes more and more frequent and we even start getting up many times during the night to do so.
• Changes in urine. Both lighter and darker. We urinate in much smaller amounts and usually blood appears in the urine.
• Feeling of pressure.

2. Swelling

Patients who suffer from kidney failure have great difficulty getting rid of the extra fluid that accumulates in the body.

Since the kidneys are not able to filter the body normally, fluid tends to accumulate.

It is normal, then, for the legs, ankles, feet and even the face to swell.

Many people claim, for example, that they cannot wear shoes with their usual number, which is a pretty obvious symptom.

3. Tiredness

People who have healthy kidneys produce a hormone called erythropoietin, which is responsible for the production of red blood cells in our bodies. These cells, in turn, are responsible for carrying oxygen to the blood.

Thus, those who suffer from kidney failure have a production of this hormone in smaller amounts in the body, which causes the muscles and even the brain to start to deplete due to lack of oxygen.

Therefore, it is a type of anemia associated with kidney failure. It is common, for example, that these people feel a great desire to sleep and often feel exhausted.

4. Skin rashes

Since we are not able to remove impurities from the blood correctly, the kidneys gradually lose their function. Thus, toxins and elements that are not useful to the body accumulate.

This turns into itchiness and general malaise, as if something is bothering us inside and we can’t help but continually scratch.

5. Metallic taste in the mouth

The accumulation of impurities in the blood (what we know as uremia) causes the taste of food to change.

We can even lose the pleasure of eating, after all, we cannot distinguish the flavors of food. Therefore, it is common for patients with kidney failure to start to lose weight.

The kidneys’ difficulty in eliminating toxins causes many side effects. In turn, the bad taste in the mouth is usually frequent. In fact, patients often report that they have an “iron” taste in their mouths.

6. Nausea and vomiting

Again, the excess of impurities in the blood causes our body to react to uremia. Thus, vomiting, a feeling of malaise, nausea and consequent weight loss occur .

The stomach, moreover, tends to appear full when in reality it is not. We feel heavy and slow.

7. Shortness of breath

In cases of kidney failure, recovering air after an activity, such as climbing stairs or running, and even walking a little faster than normal, becomes difficult.

This happens for two reasons: the excess fluid in our body, which can cause this fluid to accumulate in the lungs, making it more difficult to breathe, and the anemia associated with kidney failure, which makes the recovery of air more difficult .

Patients also often comment that they cannot sleep at night and that they feel suffocated.

8. Feeling cold

Anemia makes us feel colder than normal, which is one of the hallmarks of kidney failure.

9. Concentration Problems

Since the disease causes circulatory problems, disrupts blood filtration and alters the hormone known as erythropoietin, oxygen does not reach the brain in its normal doses.

Thus, this organ does not obtain the necessary energy and concentration problems start to arise.

Thinking and reasoning becomes more difficult, we feel tired and even nauseous. Thus, it is normal for small memory failures to occur.

10. Pain in the flank and leg

Some people with kidney problems may suffer from back or flank pain, a symptom that we can sometimes confuse with other illnesses.

It is a pain that extends from the side to the leg, a sharp pain that prevents us from going about our normal life.

This symptom is likely to be associated with polycysts in the kidney, a disease that causes fluid-filled cysts in the kidneys and also in the liver. It’s very painful.

How to prevent kidney failure?

In many cases, kidney failure is due to genetic factors. But we must consider that good lifestyle habits, including eating habits, can reduce the chances of developing this disease by more than 60%.

So how to prevent it? Mainly, avoiding overweight, hypertension, cholesterol and trying to exercise, walking at least half an hour daily.

Furthermore, it is also important to take care of nutrition. Here are some recommendations:

• Avoid red meat (and usually all animal protein);
• Avoid dairy and eggs;
• Avoid fizzy drinks and sugars (the kidneys suffer a lot when processing them);
• Avoid smoking, as well as drinking coffee and alcohol;
• Consume two liters of water daily;
• Increase your consumption of fruits and vegetables, both raw and cooked.