Why kidney fails

Where do I feel kidney pain? You feel kidney pain in the area where your kidneys are located: Near the middle of your back, just under your ribcage, on each side of your spine. Your kidneys are part of the urinary tract, the organs that make urine (i.e., pee) and remove it from your body. The urinary tract is made up of the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. You may feel kidney pain on only one side or both sides of your back. Having pain in these areas does not always mean there is something wrong with your kidneys. Because there are muscles, bones and other organs around your kidneys, it can be hard to tell what exactly is causing your pain. If you have constant pain you think may be caused by your kidneys, talk to your doctor. What does kidney pain feel like? Kidney pain often feels like a dull ache that gets worse if someone gently presses on that area. While it is more common to feel kidney pain on only one side, some health problems may affect both kidneys and cause pain on both sides of your back. Kidney pain vs. back pain Because of where your kidneys are in your body, it is easy to confuse kidney pain and back pain. How can you tell the difference? Kidney pain: • Is felt high on your back and deep in your body • Feels dull • Can happen on one or both sides • Likely will not go away when you shift your body or rest Back pain: • Is usually felt in your lower back • May shoot down one leg • Feels more like a stabbing pain • Gets worse when you do certain activiti...

The kidneys filter the blood and remove extra water and waste from the body. When something causes the kidneys to work less efficiently, it can lead to kidney failure. Various conditions can cause the kidneys to work less efficiently. This prevents the removal of waste, and when this happens, it can give rise to kidney failure. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), kidney failure occurs when a person has less than In this article, learn about the different types of kidney failure, as well as the stages, symptoms, causes, treatment options, and prevention methods. There are two types of kidney failure: acute and chronic. The sections below will discuss these in more detail. Acute Acute kidney failure (AKF), otherwise known as acute kidney injury or acute renal failure, comes on suddenly, typically within a It may occur due to trauma to the kidney or decreased blood flow in the area. It can also occur due to a blockage, such as a According to the Chronic According to the chronic kidney disease (CKD), also known as chronic renal disease, may affect more than 30 million people in the United States. When a condition is chronic, it means that it occurs over a long period of time. Damage to the kidneys occurs gradually and can eventually lead to kidney failure. Symptoms vary greatly depending on whether a person has acute or chronic kidney failure and what stage it is at. Although symptoms can start at any stage of kidney disea...

An ultrasound is central to the diagnosis of kidney failure. stefanamer / Getty Images This article explains what kidney failure is, including why it occurs and what is involved in the diagnosis and treatment. It also lists the signs and symptoms of an emergency so that you can seek appropriate care. Kidney failure can also occur as a result of chronic kidney disease (CKD). This is the type of kidney disease that progresses gradually, often with few symptoms until the disease is advanced. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2 out of 5 people with severe CKD (who are not on dialysis) do not even realize they have kidney disease. In addition to the above-listed symptoms of kidney failure, a person with ESRD may also experience: • Headaches • • • • • • • • There is also a condition called acute-on-chronic kidney injury (ACKI), in which a person with CKD experiences an acute loss of kidney function. With ACKI, the acute cause of the failure may be reversed, but not the underlying chronic condition. • Hypovolemia: Low fluid volumes due to blood loss or severe dehydration, diarrhea, vomiting, or burns • Heart failure: A condition in which the heart does not pump enough blood to service the body's needs • Hepatorenal failure: A condition in which the loss of kidney function is related to damage caused by • Renal artery thrombosis: A blood clot in one or both main arteries servicing the kidneys • Sepsis: The spread of a local infection throu...

Overview Diabetic nephropathy is a serious complication of type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. It's also called diabetic kidney disease. In the United States, about 1 in 3 people living with diabetes have diabetic nephropathy. Diabetic nephropathy affects the kidneys' ability to do their usual work of removing waste products and extra fluid from your body. The best way to prevent or delay diabetic nephropathy is by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and adequately managing your diabetes and high blood pressure. Over many years, the condition slowly damages your kidneys' delicate filtering system. Early treatment may prevent or slow the disease's progress and reduce the chance of complications. Kidney disease may progress to kidney failure, also called end-stage kidney disease. Kidney failure is a life-threatening condition. At this stage, treatment options are dialysis or a kidney transplant. Symptoms In the early stages of diabetic nephropathy, you would most likely not notice any signs or symptoms. In later stages, signs and symptoms may include: • Worsening blood pressure control • Protein in the urine • Swelling of feet, ankles, hands or eyes • Increased need to urinate • Reduced need for insulin or diabetes medicine • Confusion or difficulty concentrating • Shortness of breath • Loss of appetite • Nausea and vomiting • Persistent itching • Fatigue When to see a doctor Make an appointment with your doctor if you have any signs or symptoms of kidney disease. If you are li...

Kidney failure is a condition in which one or both of your kidneys no longer work on their own. Causes include diabetes, high blood pressure and acute kidney injuries. Symptoms include fatigue, nausea and vomiting, swelling, changes in how often you go to the bathroom and brain fog. Treatment includes dialysis or a kidney transplant. Overview The early stages of chronic kidney disease may not have symptoms, but kidney failure symptoms may include feeling sick, confusion, swelling and peeing a lot. What is kidney failure? Kidney failure (renal failure) means one or both of your Kidney failure is the most severe stage of What do the kidneys do? Your kidneys are bean-shaped organs about the size of your fist. They sit under your ribcage, toward your back. Most people have two working kidneys, but you can live well with only one kidney as long as it’s working correctly. Kidneys have several jobs. One of the most important jobs is helping your body eliminate toxins. Your kidneys filter your blood and send waste products out of your body in urine (pee). When your kidneys don’t work correctly, waste products build up in your body. If this happens, you’ll feel sick and eventually die without treatment. Many people can manage kidney failure with the proper treatment. Who does kidney failure affect? Kidney failure can affect anyone. However, you may be at a higher risk of developing kidney failure if you: • Have • Have • Have • Have a family history of kidney disease. • Have abnorma...

Having kidney failure means that 85-90% of your kidney function is gone, and they don't work well enough to keep you alive. There is no cure for kidney failure, but it is possible to live a long life with treatment. Having kidney failure is not a death sentence, and people with kidney failure live active lives and continue to do the things they love. Kidney failure does not happen overnight. It is the result of a gradual loss of kidney function. Some people do not even know they have kidney disease until their kidneys fail. Why not? Because people with early kidney disease may not have any symptoms. Symptoms usually show up later in the progression of the disease and may include: • trouble sleeping • poor appetite • weakness • tiredness • itching • weight loss • muscle cramps (especially in the legs) • swelling of your feet or ankles • anemia (a low blood count) • trouble sleeping Healthy kidneys remove wastes and extra fluid from your blood. But when your kidneys fail, wastes and excess fluid can build up in your blood and make you feel sick. Once you begin treatment for kidney failure, your symptoms will improve, and you will start to feel much better. Dialysis and kidney transplant are the two treatments for kidney failure. The dialysis treatments or transplanted kidneys will take over some of the work of your damaged kidneys and remove wastes and extra fluid from your body. This will make many of your symptoms better. Dialysis: There are two types of dialysis- hemodial...

Chronic kidney failure is the loss of kidney function over months or years. In advanced stages, dangerous levels of waste and fluids can back up in your body. This condition is also called chronic kidney disease. Your kidneys filter excess fluids and waste products from your blood. This waste is typically eliminated in your urine. If you’re in the early stages of chronic kidney failure, you may or may not have symptoms. Some early symptoms of kidney failure can also occur with other illnesses and conditions. This can make diagnosis difficult. Early symptoms can include: • • • • • If the damage to your kidneys gets worse, you will eventually notice symptoms. Later stage symptoms can include: • difficulty staying alert • cramps and twitches • • • • • skin that’s darker or lighter than usual • • • • • urinating more or less than usual • hiccups • • • Chronic kidney disease can also lead to other complications. These may include: • (fluid buildup in your lungs) and fluid buildup in other areas • • nerve damage that can lead to • • cardiovascular events, such as • • • • • Diabetes and high blood pressure Other causes can include: • damage to kidney function • recurring kidney infections • inflammation in your kidneys’ filtration system • congenital kidney disease • obstruction of your urinary tract • autoimmune disorders You may be at a higher risk of chronic kidney failure if you: • • have • have • have • have • have a family history of kidney disease • are over age 65 If you ...