Symptoms of End-stage Renal Disease (ESRD)
En Español (Spanish Version)

The Kidney and Its Main Blood Vessels

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As kidney failure progresses, some or all of the following signs and symptoms may develop:

  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Fatigue
  • Weight loss
  • Itchy skin
  • Confusion
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Swelling throughout the body
  • Low urine output
  • Generalized weakness
  • Multiple bruises
  • Frequent infections
  • Numbness and tingling in the extremities
  • Irritability
  • Decreased libido
  • Menstrual irregularities
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Muscle cramps and twitches
  • Shortness of breath
  • Pericarditis
  • High blood pressure
  • Weak, brittle bones
  • Yellowish-brownish skin tone
  • Easy bruising of the skin
  • Headache
  • Frequent hiccups
If kidney failure is untreated, the accumulated waste products and fluid can result in:

  • Coma
  • Seizures
  • Death



References:
Brenner, BM., et al. Brenner & Rector’s The Kidney. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders, 2011.

Conn's Current Therapy 2001. 53rd ed. WB Saunders Company; 2001.

Ferri, Fred, ed. Ferri’s Clinical Advisor 2010. 1st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Mosby Elsevier, 2009.

Goldman L, Ausiello D., eds. Cecil Textbook of Internal Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders, 2008.

National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases website. Available at: http://www2.niddk.nih.gov.

National Kidney Foundation website. Available at: http://www.kidney.org.

Rakel, R. Textbook of Family Medicine 2007. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier, 2009.

Rakel, RE, Bope, ET. Conn's Current Therapy. 60th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier, 2009.

Yu, HT. Progression of Chronic Renal Failure Arch Int Med. 2003;163:1417-1429.

Last Reviewed October 2012