Symptoms of End-stage Renal Disease (ESRD)
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The Kidney and Its Main Blood Vessels
As kidney failure progresses, some or all of the following signs and symptoms may develop:
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Itchy skin
- Confusion
- Trouble concentrating
- Swelling throughout the body
- Low urine output
- Generalized weakness
- Multiple bruises
- Frequent infections
- Numbness and tingling in the extremities
- Irritability
- Decreased libido
- Menstrual irregularities
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Muscle cramps and twitches
- Shortness of breath
- Pericarditis
- High blood pressure
- Weak, brittle bones
- Yellowish-brownish skin tone
- Easy bruising of the skin
- Headache
- Frequent hiccups
If kidney failure is untreated, the accumulated waste products and fluid can result in:
- Coma
- Seizures
- Death
References:
Conn's Current Therapy 2001 . 53rd ed. WB Saunders Company; 2001.
National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases website. Available at: http://www2.niddk.nih.gov/ .
National Kidney Foundation website. Available at: http://www.kidney.org/ .
Yu HT. Progression of Chronic Renal Failure Arch Int Med. 2003;163:1417-1429.
Last reviewed April 2009 by Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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