Kidney Failure: Causes, Symptoms & What You Should Know

Your kidneys are the body’s natural filters. They help clean about 200 quarts of fluid every day, which is enough to fill a big bathtub! Out of that, around 2 quarts leave your body as urine, and the rest is reused. 

Your kidneys remove waste, balance your body’s water and electrolytes such as sodium and potassium, to keep everything in sync.

But sometimes, health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or even severe dehydration can damage the function of your kidneys. And when they stop working properly, waste and fluid begin to pile up in your body, causing swelling in your legs, shortness of breath, or even serious issues like fluid in your lungs.

That’s why it’s so crucial to be aware of the early warning signs of kidney failure. Knowing what causes kidney failure and spotting its symptoms can help you act fast and avoid further complications.

Read this blog to learn more about Kidney Failure: Causes, Symptoms, and how to prevent it.

What is Kidney Failure?

Kidney failure means one or both of your kidneys stop working efficiently to clean your blood and remove waste. If this happens, harmful wastes and extra fluid accumulate in the body, making you feel tired, swollen, and sick. It can happen fast or slowly, and in severe cases needs medical treatment such as dialysis or a transplant to live well.

The Alternative Names for Kidney Failure

• Renal failure
• End-stage renal disease (ESRD)
• Chronic kidney disease (in advanced stages)
• Acute kidney injury
• Chronic renal failure
• End-stage kidney disease (ESKD)

Types of Kidney Failure

There are mainly 2 types of kidney failure:

• Acute kidney failure: It happens abruptly and is potentially reversible.
• Chronic kidney failure: It develops slowly over at least 3 months and can lead to permanent kidney failure.

What are the Common Causes of Kidney Failure

There are many causes of kidney failure, and the exact reasons are diagnosed by healthcare professionals only. 

Here are some causes of renal failure:

1. Diabetes

High blood sugar or glucose levels damage the kidneys’ filtering units over time. This makes the kidneys less effective at cleaning blood.

2. High Blood Pressure (B.P)

Constant high BP can harm the blood vessels of the kidneys. This reduces their filtering ability and causes fluid buildup that worsens pressure.

3. Acute Kidney Injury

Sudden kidney function loss from injury, toxins, or surgery can greatly damage the kidneys. However, it situation is often reversible.

4. Polycystic Kidney Disease

This is a genetic disorder causing cysts in the kidneys, slowly reducing filtering capacity.

5. Glomerulonephritis

Inflammation of tiny filters (known as glomeruli) in the kidneys can cause scarring and reduce filtering ability.

6. Autoimmune Diseases

Immune disorders like Lupus attack the kidneys, causing inflammation and impairing the kidneys’ function.

7. Drug and Exposure to Toxin

Long-term use of painkillers, some antibiotics, or exposure to toxins can reduce the kidneys’ ability to filter.

8. Kidney Stones or Urinary Tract Obstructions

Blockage from stones or an enlarged prostate can block the urine flow out of the bladder, injuring the kidneys.

What are the 5 Stages of End-Stage Renal Disease?

There are 5 stages of kidney disease, as per your estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR, which is a calculation of how efficiently your kidneys filter wastes). 

• An eGFR above 90 means normal kidney function. 
• An eGFR of zero means there’s no remaining kidney function.

Stage	eGFR Range (mL/min/1.73m²)	What’s Going On	Kidney Function
I	>90	Mild kidney damage	Normal function
II	60 to 89	More noticeable kidney damage	Mild loss (but still functioning well)
III	30 to 59	Moderate kidney damage	Moderate loss (mild to moderate kidney function loss)
IV	15 to 29	Severe kidney damage	Severe loss with significant functional loss
V	< 15	Kidneys are near or at complete failure	Kidney failure (end-stage)

What are Kidney Damage Symptoms

The symptoms depend on the stage of kidney damage.

Mild Kidney Damage

• Generally no noticeable symptoms
• Possible signs may include the presence of protein or blood in urine in the conducted tests
• Higher blood pressure

Moderate Kidney Damage

• Swelling in hands, feet, or ankles because of fluid accumulation
• More or less urine, foamy urine
• Fatigue 
• Possible back pain near the kidneys

Severe Kidney Damage

• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Trouble concentrating
• Confusion
• Itching
• Muscle cramps
• Very little to no urine output
• Swelling around the eyes, hands, feet, and ankles
• Shortness of breath because of fluid buildup
• Difficulty in sleeping

Risk Factors for Kidney Failure

The following factors can increase the chances of kidney failure:

• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Heart disease
• Family history of kidney disease
• Abnormal kidney structure
• Over 60 years of age
• Have a long history of taking pain relievers (NSAIDs)

How is Kidney Failure Diagnosed?

A kidney specialist at IRIS Multispeciality Hospital may use a variety of kidney function tests to evaluate the kidneys and diagnose kidney failure.

The tests may include:

• Blood tests
• Urine tests
• Imaging tests (kidney ultrasound, CT urogram, and MRI)

How to Prevent Kidney Failure?

Kidney failure doesn’t happen quickly; hence, if detected early, further complications can be avoided.

Here are 8 golden rules of kidney disease prevention:

• Get regular check-ups
• Control blood pressure
• Manage heart disease
• Control blood sugar
• Eat a kidney-friendly, healthy diet
• Exercise
• Quit smoking
• Do not overuse painkiller medication

Best Nephrologist in Kolkata | IRIS Multispeciality Hospital

The waste that your body produces needs to be removed daily. For that, your kidneys play a crucial part and keep your body healthy. If their function is compromised, serious health conditions can arise. Regular kidney check-ups and following expert advice from the best nephrologist at IRIS Multispeciality Hospital help protect and maintain kidney health.