What Happens If Your Kidneys Fail? Symptoms, Risks, and Treatment
Understand the warning signs, complications, and important treatment options for kidney failure to protect your health.
What Happens If Your Kidneys Fail?
Your kidneys play a vital role in maintaining overall health—they filter wastes, balance fluids, and regulate important minerals and hormones. When the kidneys fail, these functions break down, leading to life-threatening complications if not managed promptly. This article explains what kidney failure means, its symptoms, associated risks, causes, treatments, and steps for prevention.
Overview of Kidney Failure
Kidney failure, also known as end-stage renal disease (ESRD), occurs when your kidneys lose most or all of their ability to function, preventing them from adequately filtering waste and excess fluid from your blood. Without intervention, dangerous levels of toxins and fluid accumulate, severely affecting health.
Main Functions of the Kidneys
- Remove waste products from the blood.
- Regulate fluid and electrolyte balance (like sodium, potassium, and calcium).
- Maintain acid-base balance.
- Control blood pressure through hormone production.
- Promote red blood cell production via erythropoietin.
Symptoms of Kidney Failure
Both acute and chronic kidney failure share many symptoms, but they can develop at different rates. When kidney function drops sharply (acute), symptoms may come on fast; with gradual decline (chronic), symptoms may develop over months or years.
- Swelling (edema) of the feet, legs, ankles, or hands
- Reduced urine output (sometimes no urine)
- Trouble sleeping
- Muscle cramps
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of appetite and unintentional weight loss
- Fatigue or generalized weakness
- Itchy skin
- Headache
- Trouble breathing
- Metallic taste in the mouth
- Confusion or difficulty concentrating
- Numbness, tingling in fingers or toes
If these symptoms appear rapidly or progress dramatically, it is vital to seek medical help immediately.
What Causes Kidney Failure?
Kidney failure can be triggered by rapid or long-term damage. The two main types are:
- Acute Kidney Failure: Sudden loss of kidney function (hours to days). Causes can include severe dehydration, kidney trauma, infections, medication side effects, high blood pressure spikes, or blockages (from kidney stones or tumors).
- Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): Progressive loss of kidney function over months to years, commonly due to long-lasting conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or chronic infections.
Common Causes of Kidney Failure
| Cause | Description | Type Most Likely |
|---|---|---|
| Diabetes | High blood sugar damages kidney blood vessels | Chronic |
| High Blood Pressure | Strains kidney filtration structures | Chronic/Acute |
| Medications (NSAIDs, antibiotics) | Can cause direct kidney injury | Acute |
| Kidney Infections | Inflammation damages tissue | Both |
| Blockages (stones, tumors) | Prevents urine flow, causes back pressure | Acute |
| Polycystic Kidney Disease | Inherited condition causing kidney cysts | Chronic |
What others are reading
Risk Factors for Kidney Failure
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Family history of kidney disease
- Heart disease
- Older age
- Ethnic background (African American, Hispanic, Native American, Asian populations see higher risk)
- Past kidney injuries or infections
Stages of Kidney Disease
Kidney disease is classified into five stages based on the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), which measures kidney function. Stage 5 is considered kidney failure.
| Stage | eGFR (ml/min/1.73 m2) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 | ≥90 | Normal or high kidney function with some signs of damage |
| Stage 2 | 60-89 | Mild decrease in function |
| Stage 3 | 30-59 | Moderate decrease |
| Stage 4 | 15-29 | Severe decrease, approaching failure |
| Stage 5 | <15 | Kidney failure, usually requires dialysis or transplant |
Complications of Kidney Failure
- Fluid overload causing swelling and breathing issues
- Electrolyte imbalances (dangerous changes in potassium, sodium, calcium)
- Heart problems (arrhythmias, pericarditis, heart attack)
- Weak bones and bone pain due to calcium/phosphorus disturbances
- Anemia (low red blood cell count)
- Nervous system symptoms (confusion, seizures)
- Increased risk of infections
- Death if untreated
Diagnosis: How Is Kidney Failure Detected?
Doctors diagnose kidney failure using several approaches:
- Blood tests: Measure creatinine, eGFR, electrolytes, and complete blood count.
- Urine tests: Check for protein (albumin) and blood in urine.
- Imaging: Ultrasounds or CT scans to look for blockages or structural problems.
- Other assessments: Inflammatory markers, autoimmune studies if needed.
Early detection, especially in high-risk individuals, dramatically improves treatment outcomes.
Treatment Options for Kidney Failure
Once kidneys fail, the main treatment goals are to sustain life, relieve symptoms, and slow progression if possible. Key treatment strategies include:
Dialysis
- Hemodialysis: Blood is filtered externally via a dialysis machine.
- Peritoneal dialysis: Uses the lining of your abdomen to filter blood inside the body.
Dialysis replaces the kidneys’ waste removal process but does not cure kidney disease.
Kidney Transplant
Transplanting a healthy kidney from a donor can restore kidney function. Not all patients are good candidates due to other health issues, and there can be long waiting times for organs.
Medication and Lifestyle Management
- Medications to control blood pressure, diabetes, and electrolyte levels
- Drugs to manage anemia, bone disease, and fluid balance
- Diet changes: lower sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and protein as recommended
- Stop smoking and avoid alcohol
- Exercise as tolerated
Preventing Kidney Failure
While not all forms of kidney failure can be prevented, many risks can be reduced with lifestyle and medical management:
- Maintain healthy blood pressure and blood sugar, especially for those at risk
- Eat a balanced, kidney-friendly diet (consult a dietitian if possible)
- Stay hydrated but avoid excessive fluids
- Limit or avoid NSAIDs, some antibiotics, and other potentially kidney-damaging drugs
- Have regular check-ups if you have diabetes, hypertension, or a family history of kidney disease
- Address urinary tract infections or other kidney problems promptly
- Control cholesterol
- Exercise regularly
Emergency Symptoms of Kidney Failure
Seek medical care immediately if you experience:
- Sudden, severe decrease in urine output
- Shortness of breath, chest pain, or marked confusion
- Persistent vomiting or inability to eat or drink
- Rapid swelling of the legs, feet, or face
- Severe muscle weakness
Living With Kidney Failure
Managing life after kidney failure involves ongoing medical care and lifestyle adaptations. Patients who start dialysis or receive a transplant typically require regular follow-up, medication adjustments, and dietary support. Mental health support and patient education are also crucial for well-being.
Common Questions About Kidney Failure
What is the difference between acute and chronic kidney failure?
Acute kidney failure occurs suddenly and is often reversible if treated early; chronic kidney failure develops slowly over months or years, is usually irreversible, and often requires dialysis or transplant.
Can kidney failure be cured?
Acute kidney failure may be reversible. Chronic kidney failure is usually permanent, but progression can be slowed and complications managed with the right care.
How is dialysis performed?
Hemodialysis uses a machine to clean the blood externally, while peritoneal dialysis utilizes the inner abdominal lining with special fluid exchanges.
Who is at highest risk for kidney failure?
Individuals with hypertension, diabetes, family history, older age, certain ethnic backgrounds, and history of kidney injury or infection are most at risk.
What should I eat if I have kidney disease?
Recommended diets are lower in salt, potassium, phosphorus, and protein depending on your stage and treatment—speak to a registered dietitian for personalized advice.
What happens if kidney failure is not treated?
Toxins and fluids build up rapidly, leading to heart failure, nervous system issues, coma, and death.
Key Takeaways
- Recognize symptoms early—seek help fast if sudden changes appear.
- Control risk factors like diabetes and blood pressure to help prevent kidney failure.
- Dialysis and transplantation are the main treatments once kidneys fail.
- Ongoing care and preventive strategies can improve quality and length of life.
Ensuring kidney health is essential to your well-being. Regular screenings, swift attention to symptoms, and proactive lifestyle changes can all contribute to better kidney outcomes. Consult your healthcare provider for personalized recommendations.
References
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/327300
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/172179
- https://www.healthline.com/health/kidney-disease
- https://www.healthline.com/health/video/kidney-failure
- https://www.healthline.com/health/video/foods-to-avoid-with-kidney-disease
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUnRopZmYJs
- https://aakp.org/programs-and-events/aakp-healthline/
- https://crestpointerehab.com/resources/kidney-disease-treatment-without-dialysis/
- https://www.upmc.com/services/kidney-disease/conditions/kidney-failure
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