Kidney Transplant (cont.)

Kidney Transplant Symptoms

The symptoms of kidney failure vary widely by cause of the kidney failure, severity of the condition, and the other body systems that are affected.

• Most people have no symptoms at all in the early stages of the disease, because the kidneys are able to compensate so well for the early impairments in the their function. Others have symptoms that are mild, subtle, or vague.
  
  
• Generally, obvious symptoms appear only when the condition has become severe or even critical.
  
  
• Kidney failure is not painful, even when severe, although there may be pain from damage to other systems.
  
  
• Some types of kidney failure cause fluid retention. However, severe dehydration (fluid deficiency) can also cause kidney failure.
  
  
• Fluid retention - Puffiness, swelling of arms and legs, shortness of breath (due to fluid collection in the lungs, called pulmonary edema)
  
  
• Dehydration - Thirst, rapid heart rate (tachycardia), dry mucous membranes (such as inside the mouth and nose), feeling weak or lethargic

Other common symptoms of kidney failure and end-stage renal disease include the following:

• Urinating less than usual
  
  
• Urinary problems - Frequency, urgency
  
  
• Bleeding - Due to impaired clotting, from any site
  
  
• Easy bruising
  
  
• Fatigue
  
  
• Confusion
  
  
• Nausea, vomiting
  
  
• Loss of appetite
  
  
• Pain - In the muscles, joints, flanks, chest
  
  
• Bone pain or fractures
  
  
• Itching
  
  
• Pale skin (from anemia)

End-stage renal disease cannot be prevented in some cases. You may be able to prevent your kidneys from failing, or slow the progression of the failure, by controlling your underlying conditions.

• Kidney failure has usually progressed fairly significantly by the time symptoms appear. If you are at high risk of developing chronic kidney failure, see your health care provider as recommended for screening tests.
  
  
• If you have a chronic condition such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol, follow the treatment recommendations of your health care provider. See your health care provider regularly for monitoring. Aggressive treatment of these diseases is essential to preserving kidney function and preventing complications.
  
  
• Avoid exposure to alcohol, drugs, chemicals, and other toxic substances as much as possible.

To learn more about kidney failure, click here.