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Renal (Kidney) Failure

What is Renal Failure?

Renal failure is the loss of kidney function. Renal failure can be sudden (acute) or it can progress slowly (chronic). If the kidneys are not functioning, waste products and surplus water accumulate in the body. Renal failure may be permanent or reversible. A wide variety of treatments are available for both forms.

Learn more about renal failure

Symptoms of Renal Failure

Acute renal failure can be fatal if it is not diagnosed and treated within days. The symptoms of acute renal failure include:

  • Very little urine
  • Drowsiness
  • Headache
  • Back pain
  • Shortness of breath

Chronic renal failure develops slowly and can have vague and irregular symptoms, but usually begins with a feeling of weakness and loss of appetite followed by:

  • Frequent need to urinate (especially at night)
  • Itchy, pale and easily bruised skin
  • Shortness of breath
  • Hiccups
  • Twitching of muscles
  • Feeling of "pins and needles" in hands & feet, or other areas
  • Leg cramps

End-stage renal disease is a severe condition, and has definite recognizable symptoms:

  • Very little urine
  • Swelling of the face, limbs and abdomen
  • Severe lethargy
  • Weight loss
  • Headache
  • Dry tongue
  • Very itchy skin
  • Breath smells like ammonia

Diagnosing Renal Failure

Blood an urine tests are used to diagnose renal failure. Other tests can help identify the underlying cause of renal failure, including:

Treatment Options

In most cases, acute renal failure is reversible, while chronic renal failure is not and eventually leads to end-stage renal disease.

Acute renal failure may be treated with the following methods:

  • Antibiotics - to fight infection
  • Intravenous medications and fluids
  • Dialysis
  • Treat the underlying cause - Once a person with acute renal failure is stabilized, the cause must be treated

Chronic renal failure may be treated by:

  • Treating any underlying conditions that could be causing the renal failure
  • Following a low-protein, low-salt diet
  • Limiting water intake
  • Avoid eating potassium and phosphorus
  • Prescription medications such as...
    • Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)
    • Anti-anemia medication
    • Corticosteroids
    • Antihypertensives

End-stage renal disease means the kidneys are no longer functioning and must be treated with one of the following procedures: