Kidney Failure Symptoms And How To Prevent Them

30/11/2011 17:42

When people think of kidney failure and kidney failure symptoms, they normally think of them with regards to bladder and kidney symptoms. By consuming plenty of water, and avoiding foods that may aggravate the kidneys, nearly all people think they will be competent to avoid kidney trouble. Then again this isn't always what occurs. This is mainly because the kidneys have numerous functions and so when things fail, kidney failure symptoms are usually more common and more challenging to identify. In fact sometimes the symptoms may not seem directly related to the kidneys initially. But here, by recognizing a number of major functions of the kidneys we will see how these kidney failure symptoms come about. One of the most commonly understood function of the kidneys is elliminating toxins from the body, which is why we understand that healthy foods and water can assist the kidneys to do their job. As the correct drinking habits and beneficial diet are essential, nearly all people need a little extra help with their kidneys. Symptoms begin to come about usually when kidney damage is quite advanced, which means oftentimes a lot of damage has been done before a problem has been found and then intervention begins. Kidney failure symptoms are usually consequence of long-term kidney damage and they can be prevalent all through the body.

One of the kidney failure signs that physicians are capable to get is a low urine creatinine level indicating potential kidney damage that's why reatinine levels should be regularly checked once kidney failure symptoms are described. Creatinine levels in the body must be fairly constant. When levels are too low in the urine, it indicates that the kidneys are doing an insufficient job of filtering it from the blood. As a result, blood creatinine levels can become too high and after a certain level, the patient may need dialysis to filter the blood. The body always tries to hold a balance of solutes in the bloodstream, and the kidneys have several jobs to do in regard to maintaining the blood. The kidneys are in charge for maintaining fluid levels within the body and as kidney function decreases, bloating in the body, or fluid retention is a common kidney failure symptom. This usually occurs in the legs and feet. Fluid buildup can also take place in the lungs causing major complications with the cardiovascular system.

The kidneys are responsible for maintaining electrolyte levels including potassium and sodium. If kidney failure symptoms are overlooked, rising electrolyte levels in the blood might cause dangerous heart arrhythmias and cardiovascular problems. Weakness is a very common kidney failure symptom that happens when the red blood cell count drops. Anemia is another common downside for kidney disease patients as the kidneys are necessary to form the hormone EPO, that helps form red blood cells. Deficient EPO brings about the kidney failure symptoms of fatigue, shortness of breath and pallor.

The kidneys are also accountable for preventing acidity in the blood. As acid wastes increase in the body, shortness of breath or other kidney failure symptoms can take place. Shortness of breath happens when the lungs try to make up for this acidosis by eliminating carbon dioxide. Kidney stones, gout, poor immunity, urinary changes and fatigue are standard kidney failure symptoms that take place due to high levels of acidity in the blood. If kidney failure symptoms are disregarded and the kidneys are not treated, sooner or later death occurs. This is either due to organ failure from the higher load of toxins in the body, congestive heart failure due to fluid retention in the lungs, ventricular fibrillation caused by disrupted electrolyte levels, or other related causes. All manifestations of kidney failure symptoms must be treated as a medical emergency, since even relatively minor kidney failure symptoms like lethargy or fatigue could mean the existence of a deadly chain reaction.