1. Take the Kidney Disease Quiz
2. Kidney Stones Slideshow Pictures
3. High Blood Pressure Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

John P. Cunha, DO, is a U.S. board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician. Dr. Cunha's educational background includes a BS in Biology from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, and a DO from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in Kansas City, MO. He completed residency training in Emergency Medicine at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Several signs and symptoms may suggest complications of acute kidney failure. Call the doctor if any of the following symptoms occur:

• Change in energy level or strength or a severe decrease in the ability to do normal activities
• Elevated blood pressure
• Increased water retention (puffiness or swelling) in the legs, around the eyes, or in other parts of the body
• Shortness of breath or change from normal breathing patterns
• Nausea or vomiting
• Decrease in or lack of urination
• Lightheadedness
• Easy bruising
• Itching

See the doctor to monitor and treat chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

The following signs and symptoms of a severe complication of acute kidney disease require a visit to a hospital's emergency department:

• Change in level of consciousness (extreme sleepiness or difficulty awakening)
• Fainting
• Chest pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Extremely high blood pressure (hypertension), greater than 180/100
• Severe nausea and vomiting
• Severe bleeding (from any source)
• Severe weakness
• Inability to urinate

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