Kidneys are two bean-shaped organs found on both sides of the body. Their primary functions include blood purification and urine production to excrete fluids from the body. However, organ failure can result in fluid buildup and causes waste buildup in the body. Kidney failure primarily affects the production of red blood cells in circulation and triggers several discomforts that should not be ignored. Here are the common causes and signs of kidney failure explained.

Primary causes of kidney failure
Kidney failure is mainly triggered due to underlying health problems, such as the following given below.

Diabetes and hypertension are the most common causes of kidney failure.
Certain autoimmune diseases can also trigger problems with organ function.
Genetic traits that trigger changes in organ function may lead to the development of chronic kidney diseases like medullary cystic kidney disease.
Regular dosages of certain prescriptions given to manage chronic illnesses can also put pressure on the organ resulting in kidney failure.
A condition called nephritis that results in the swelling of nephrons causing filtering units in the kidneys to malfunction.
Bladder problems that cause the urine to flow back into the kidneys and can result in scarring of the tissue.
Poor lifestyle choices and nutritional deficiencies can also affect the proper functioning of the organ resulting in permanent damage.

Signs of kidney failure

Fatigue
Unexplained fatigue, due to a lack of oxygenated blood in circulation, causing the brain and muscles to feel fatigued, is one of the main kidney failure signs. This symptom occurs because the kidneys are responsible for purifying blood in circulation. Also, without the kidneys, the body cannot produce a vital hormone called erythropoietin, which is necessary to produce red blood cells. As the kidneys fail to function, it causes a decrease in hormone levels and, as a result, affects oxygenated blood circulation.

Shortness of breath
Another repercussion of decreased red blood cells in circulation is shortness of breath. This happens because the cells in the body are not getting enough oxygen as a result of compromised kidney function. In addition, the lungs have excessive fluid retention when the kidneys fail to function properly. This can also result in shortness of breath as the lungs cannot store oxygen as effectively. If one experiences breathlessness despite not doing any activity that causes exertion, it could be a sign of decreasing kidney function.

Pain while urinating
Kidneys are also tasked with the important function of evacuating all fluids from the body. These organs filter out impurities from the blood and produce urine. If one is experiencing pain or difficulty while urinating, it could be a sign of early kidney failure. Retention of body fluids is another complication that affects urine output. As a result, one might also experience tightness and pressure while urinating. Changes in the color of urine are also indicative of kidney failure. Red, purple, or brown urine output is indicative of blood in the urine as the organ is unable to purify blood flowing through the vein. Also, if the urine produced is bubbly or foamy, it is a result of above-normal protein output in the urine due to deteriorated organ function.

Nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain
Kidneys help evacuate waste produced by the body by way of urination. Due to kidney failure, the waste material that collects within the body accumulates and increases the risk of uremia. This is what triggers a persistent feeling of nausea and vomiting. As the organ continues to deteriorate, it results in an excess accumulation of waste material inside the body, leading to stomach pain. Note that these symptoms and flare-ups vary from person to person depending on how severely the kidneys are affected.

Changes in taste
Persistent kidney problems trigger uremia, which also affects one’s taste perception. Patients complain of a metallic taste while eating or drinking familiar foods and beverages. This happens due to a toxic reaction that builds up as the kidneys fail to evacuate waste material from the body. Also, changes in taste will make a person lose interest in consuming foods and beverages altogether. This will also affect a person’s BMI. As unpurified blood continues to circulate in the body, it will even trigger symptoms of bad breath, all due to the toxic buildup of uremia.

Swelling
Edema is one of the common symptoms of kidney failure. It is a buildup of fluids in the body, normally at the extremities, that results in swelling of the hands, feet, or face. Kidneys purify blood and remove all waste material from the body through urine. Failing kidneys impair this function, resulting in a fluid buildup and edema. Noticeable swelling at the extremities and puffiness of the face without any prior indication of distress are all unmistakable signs of kidney failure.

Dizziness
Weakness in the body as a result of low oxygenated blood circulation is another symptom to watch out for with kidney disease. Often, the risk of anemia (low red blood cell count) is high among patients who suffer from kidney failure. Anemia is also the main trigger of fatigue and general weakness. This symptom will develop irrespective of whether a person does something to physically exert oneself or not. Dizziness is a common symptom experienced due to conditions like heart disease, diabetes, or even high blood pressure. Hence persistent weakness should be immediately checked to confirm if the underlying symptom is caused by kidney disease.

Decreased cognitive function
The brain also relies on freshly oxygenated blood for optimal function. Kidney failure triggers anemia, which, in turn, lowers the red blood cell count in circulation. When the brain is deprived of oxygen, one will have trouble with their memory, resulting in confusion and problems with concentration. Forgetting tasks or actions that are a part of daily routine are all signs of severe cognitive impairment. A blood test can confirm the RBC count and also check for elevated protein levels in the kidney that indicate organ failure. These symptoms should not be ignored and need urgent professional attention.