subject: Know More About Kidney Failure Symptoms [print this page] What are Kidneys and what exactly do they do?
The kidneys are 2 fist-sized organs that are positioned the back portion of your abdominal cavity. Your Kidneys do a number of different things for you and you can not live without them.
The primary things the Kidneys do are:
Clean your blood of waste products.
Get rid of extra fluid (through your urine).
Help make Red Blood Cells.
What causes kidney failure?
Your kidneys are designed to last you for your entire life. There are a few things that can destroy your kidneys over time. The most famous reasons for people to develop kidney failure is due to Diabetes or High Blood Pressure. Over time, both of these diseases can be very hard on your kidneys and cause them to slowly (step by step) lose function.
Other causes of kidney failure include some medications, low blood pressure, allergic reactions, inflammation of the kidneys and many others.
What are the symptoms of kidney failure?
Unfortunately, kidney failure can have very few symptoms to begin with. As your kidney function decline, it will first be pick up on blood tests by your doctor. Most people don't feel any effects of kidney failure during the early stages.
As kidney failure grows, you start to formulate reactions linked to losing the normal functions the kidneys perform.
Since your kidneys also let you to dispose extra fluid, you may realize the buildup of fluid generally in your legs at first. This swelling can cause you to gain water weight and can be difficult to get shed without medications.
Also, if your kidneys aren't functioning, you won't be able to form red blood cells and you will become anemic (low blood count). Anemia alone can make you feel very tired and weak.
Finally, as the waste products build up, you can start to feel tired, weak, and confused. Your appetite may decline and you may start losing weight. Some people notice a metallic taste in their mouth, while others can feel very nauseous and start vomiting. These reactions generally don't start, however, until you are very close to losing all your kidney function and will need to start kidney replacement treatments (dialysis).
How can I cope with kidney failure?
Recommendations should be modified individually so you should talk to your doctor about specific treatments. Some causes of kidney failure have very specific treatments that may have their own risks.
As usual, taking your medications frequently and controlling both your High Blood Pressure and / or Diabetes (if you have it) will be the best way to slow down any worsening of your kidney disease.
Unfortunately, even with your best efforts, kidney failure is typically a progressive disease, and many people's kidneys will go on to decline.
