http://www.woodsmall.com/KIDNEYS-What-are-the-symptoms-of-kidney-failure.txt  3/2024

What are the symptoms of kidney failure? How can you determine if you have stage 3 kidney failure?

https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-symptoms-of-kidney-failure-How-can-you-determine-if-you-have-stage-3-kidney-failure

Sylvia Logan
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Kidney Specialist (1998–present)Mar 14

Kidney failure, also known as renal failure, occurs when the kidneys lose their ability to filter waste products and excess fluids from the blood effectively. Symptoms of kidney failure can vary depending on the underlying cause and the stage of the disease. However, some common symptoms include:

    Fatigue: Feeling unusually tired or lacking energy can be a symptom of kidney failure. This is because the kidneys play a crucial role in producing erythropoietin, a hormone that helps in the production of red blood cells. When kidney function declines, anemia can develop, leading to fatigue.
    Swelling: Kidneys help regulate the body's fluid balance. When they fail, excess fluid can build up in the body, leading to swelling, particularly in the legs, ankles, feet, face, or hands.
    Changes in urine output: Kidney failure can cause changes in urination patterns. You may urinate more or less frequently than usual, experience difficulty urinating, or notice changes in the color and odor of urine.
    Shortness of breath: Excess fluid buildup in the body can also lead to fluid accumulation in the lungs, resulting in difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.
    Nausea and vomiting: Buildup of waste products and toxins in the blood can cause nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite.
    Itching: Kidney failure can lead to the buildup of waste products in the blood, which can cause itching, particularly in the legs.
    Muscle cramps and weakness: Electrolyte imbalances, such as high levels of potassium in the blood (hyperkalemia), can occur in kidney failure, leading to muscle cramps and weakness.
    High blood pressure: Kidney failure can contribute to the development or worsening of high blood pressure (hypertension).

To determine if you have stage 3 kidney failure, you would typically need to undergo medical tests. Stage 3 kidney failure is classified based on the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which measures how well the kidneys are filtering waste from the blood. In stage 3 kidney disease, the GFR is between 30 and 59 milliliters per minute per 1.73 square meters. Your doctor may order blood tests to measure creatinine levels and estimate GFR. Additionally, urine tests to assess protein levels in the urine and imaging tests such as ultrasound or CT scans may be performed to evaluate the structure and function of the kidneys. If you suspect you have kidney problems or are experiencing symptoms, it's important to consult a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and diagnosis.

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CONSULT A DOCTOR
consult a kidney specialist

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