Kidney Failure Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Learn about Kidney Failure symptoms, causes & treatments with GetWellGo. International patients get expert care & guidance for better kidney health.

Kidney Failure Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

  • Category

    Urology

  • Published By

    GetWellGo Team

  • Updated on

    27-May-2025

Kidney Failure Symptoms

The following are the usual kidney failure signs and symptoms (also referred to as renal failure):

Early Symptoms of Kidney Failure:

  • Fatigue and weakness (caused by anemia and toxic buildup)
  • Swelling (edema) in feet, ankles, or near eyes (caused by water retention)
  • Reduced urine output or altered urination (frequency, color, foamy urine)
  • Shortness of breath (water accumulation in lungs)
  • Loss of appetite, nausea, or vomiting
  • Trouble concentrating or confusion (caused by toxic buildup)
  • Muscle cramps or twitching
  • Difficult-to-control high blood pressure

Advanced Signs of Kidney Failure:

  • Severe swelling in face, hands, legs
  • Chest pain or pressure (caused by fluid surrounding heart)
  • Itching all the time
  • Metallic taste in mouth or ammonia breath
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Seizures or coma (in advanced cases)

Symptoms of Chronic Kidney Disease

Below are the typical symptoms of chronic kidney disease (CKD), particularly as it advances:

Early CKD

  • Frequently no signs or mild signs
  • Occasionally faint signs such as:
  • Tiredness or fatigue
  • Swelling in feet, hands, or near the eyes (from fluid buildup)
  • Noturia (nighttime urination), increased or decreased urination
  • Foamy urine (from protein loss)
  • Mild high blood pressure

Moderate to Advanced CKD Symptoms

  • Recurring tiredness and weakness
  • Loss of appetite, nausea, or vomiting
  • Muscle cramps and twitching
  • Dry, itchy skin
  • Trouble concentrating or confusion
  • Shortness of breath (fluid retention in lungs)
  • Swelling (edema) of feet, ankles, legs, or around eyes
  • Changes in urine color (dark, tea-colored, or bloody urine)
  • Sleep disturbances
  • High blood pressure that is hard to control
  • Itching that does not go away

Very Advanced CKD (Kidney Failure/ESRD)

Symptoms are severe and include those of kidney failure such as:

  • Chest pain
  • Severe swelling
  • Seizures or coma (in extreme cases)

Kidney Disease Symptoms in Adults

Here is a simple overview of kidney disease symptoms in adults that include both early and late stage:

Common Kidney Disease Symptoms in Adults:

Early Symptoms (usually mild or unnoticeable)

  • Tiredness or easy fatigue
  • Swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or the area around the eyes
  • Urination changes:
  • Increased frequency of urination, particularly at night
  • Foamy or bubbly urine (from protein)
  • Dark or reddish colored urine (urine blood)
  • Reduced or increased urine output
  • Mild high blood pressure
  • Muscle cramping, particularly in legs
  • Loss of appetite or nausea

Moderate to Advanced Symptoms

  • Fatigue and weakness that last
  • Shortness of breath (fluid accumulation in lungs)
  • Confusion or difficulty concentrating
  • Dry, itching skin
  • Chest pain or pressure (if fluid accumulation around heart)
  • Swelling (edema) of legs, feet, or face (severe)
  • Itching (constant)
  • Disturbed sleep

Symptoms of Kidney Problems

Here is a simple list of usual symptoms that may point towards kidney problems in general:

Common Symptoms of Kidney Problems:

  • Changes in urination:
  1. More or less often urinating
  2. Pain or burning during urination
  3. Foamy or bubbly urine (protein in the urine)
  4. Dark, cloudy, or bloody urine
  5. Urination difficulty or inability to urinate
  • Swelling (edema): Particularly in feet, ankles, legs, or around the eyes
  • Weakness or fatigue: Due to accumulation of toxins or anemia
  • Shortness of breath: Due to fluid accumulation in lungs
  • Loss of appetite, nausea, or vomiting
  • Muscle twitching or cramps
  • Dry, itching skin
  • High blood pressure: Refractory or new onset
  • Trouble concentrating or confusion
  • Pain or pressure in the back or sides (in the kidney region)
  • Itching that is persistent

Symptoms of Kidney Damage

Here are some symptoms of kidney damage, which may occur over time and at times without overt signs early in the process:

Reduced Kidney Function Symptoms:

  • Weakness and fatigue (because of toxin accumulation and anemia)
  • Swelling (edema) in feet, ankles, legs, or around eyes due to fluid accumulation
  • Changes in urination:
  1. Increased or decreased frequency
  2. Foamy or bubbly urine (protein leakage)
  3. Dark or blood-tinged urine
  4. Trouble or pain passing urine
  • Shortness of breath (if fluid accumulates in lungs)
  • Loss of appetite or nausea or vomiting
  • Muscle twitching or cramps
  • Dry, itching skin
  • High blood pressure that is hard to control or new-onset
  • Confusion or trouble concentrating
  • Widespread itching
  • Pain in the back or flank (near the kidneys)

Why Choose GetWellGo for Kidney Failure Treatment?

GetWellGo is regarded as a leading supplier of healthcare services. We help our foreign clients choose the best treatment locations that suit their needs both financially and medically.

We offer:

  • Complete transparency
  • Fair costs.
  • 24 hour availability.
  • Medical E-visas
  • Online consultation from recognized Indian experts.
  • Assistance in selecting India's top hospitals for kidney failure treatment.
  • Expert urologist with a strong track record of success
  • Assistance during and after the course of treatment.
  • Language Support
  • Travel and Accommodation Services
  • Case manager assigned to every patient to provide seamless support in and out of the hospital like appointment booking
  • Local SIM Cards
  • Currency Exchange
  • Arranging Patient’s local food

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