What should you know about renal failure?

When your kidneys stop filtering any waste from your blood, this is acute kidney failure or renal failure.

This happens at an extremely fast pace, usually within just one or two days. It is important to get immediate treatment, as renal failure can quickly lead to death.

Presenting renal failure symptoms

Mayo Clinic points out how quickly renal failure progresses. As mentioned, it can occur over a period of just one or two days.

Renal failure symptoms include swelling of the feet, legs or ankles, decreased urine output, fatigue, nausea, irregular heartbeat, and pressure or pain in the chest.

Note that alarmingly, renal failure may also present with no symptoms. In these cases, it is only appropriate and timely testing that can catch the issue. This is why it is important to seek medical attention for any of the above symptoms, or even undetermined symptoms that “feel off”.

Potential contributing risk factors

It can help for people to understand their risk factors for developing renal failure, as well. This way, they can keep a closer eye on potential symptoms that may arise.

Major risk factors include having heart failure, diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, peripheral artery disease and hypertension, or high blood pressure.

As mentioned, quick treatment and diagnosis is necessary for renal failure. Any delay can lead to potentially life-threatening complications. Even if a person does not lose their life, they could easily lose the quality of their life due to the invasive and constant treatments required for those suffering from renal failure.