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Kidneys help the body get rid of waste by filtering the blood and sending out the waste in urine (pee). If kidney problems are caught early, they can be treated to slow down or even reverse the decline in kidney function.
Your GP can check for early signs of kidney trouble. These include feeling tired, anemia and a need to pee more often (nocturia).
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The kidneys are 2 bean-shaped organs, about the size of your fist, located in your back on either side of the spine. Healthy kidneys remove waste products and excess water from the blood, making urine (pee). They also control the amount of certain minerals in the body, such as calcium and potassium, and produce hormones that help regulate blood pressure and red blood cell production.
Kidney problems can be caused by a urinary tract blockage, certain kidney abnormalities, or an autoimmune disease like systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus). Over time, loss of kidney function leads to unsafe levels of waste in the blood. This is known as chronic kidney disease or renal failure. Kidneys may be able to perform some of their functions if the cause of the problem is corrected or the condition progresses slowly. However, the rate of decline in kidney function depends a lot on whether you have other medical conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, which is one of the leading causes of kidney disease. If these are not treated, your kidneys will become less and less able to function.
Your doctor will ask you questions about your family history of kidney disease, conduct a physical exam and check your weight, and order blood and urine tests. These tests include a creatinine test, which measures the level of waste product (urea) in your blood. Your doctor will also check your blood to see if you have protein in your urine, which indicates kidney disease.
The test that best shows your kidney function is called the glomerular filtration rate or GFR. It is measured in a laboratory and reported as milliliters per minute of blood flow through the kidneys (ml/min).
When your kidneys are not working well, waste builds up in your body and makes you feel itchy and sick to your stomach. Your urine may also have a strong odor and you will lose salt from your body, which leads to dehydration. Over time, you may also develop extra fluid in the lungs, which can cause shortness of breath.
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Your kidneys filter waste out of your blood and send it away in urine (pee). They also control the amount of water in your body, make hormones that help keep your bones strong, and help you get the right amount of salt, protein, and other nutrients. If your kidneys stop working correctly, you can have dangerous levels of waste and fluid buildup in your body. This is called kidney (or renal) failure and it can be life-threatening if not treated.
Kidney problems often don’t cause any symptoms in the early stages. But as the disease progresses, you may have signs such as back or flank pain (the kidneys are on either side of the spine). You may have trouble urinating because fluid builds up in your bladder. Your urine may be foamy or brownish in color. You might have bubbles in your urine or a metal or ammonia taste in your mouth. You might lose weight because you don’t feel hungry or you don’t have the energy to eat. You might also have swollen feet and ankles because your kidneys can’t get rid of extra sodium in your blood.
Another sign of kidney trouble is if you have high blood pressure, which happens when your blood vessels in your kidneys become narrowed or hardened due to diabetes or kidney disease. High blood pressure can damage your kidneys and lead to kidney failure or a heart attack.
Other symptoms of kidney disease include itching, which can be caused by a buildup of waste in your body. You might also have bad breath or a metallic taste in your mouth because of the toxins in your bloodstream. You might have a weak appetite because of the loss of energy from kidney disease. Your muscles might cramp because of electrolyte imbalances from decreased kidney function, such as low calcium levels or excess phosphorus.
A doctor can diagnose kidney disease by checking your blood, urine, and other parts of your body. If you have chronic kidney disease, your doctor will give you diet and lifestyle advice, such as eating less salt and avoiding foods that are high in fat and protein, which can damage your kidneys. Your doctor may recommend a special test to check your kidney function. This test measures your glomerular filtrate, which is the part of your blood that filters out waste and other substances.
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Your kidneys keep your body’s levels of fluid and minerals balanced, and help your body get rid of waste. They filter extra water and send it out of your body in urine (pee). Your kidneys also make hormones that control blood pressure and stimulate the production of red blood cells, which carry oxygen to other tissues and organs. When your kidneys can’t function well, waste products build up in the body and you feel sick. Kidney failure can lead to many health problems, including heart disease and nerve damage.
Kidney problems can be diagnosed with lab tests and other exams. Your doctor will look for signs of kidney disease, such as a protein called creatinine that’s released when your kidneys work. Creatinine levels rise when kidneys aren’t working correctly. A blood test called glomerular filtration rate, or GFR, measures how well your kidneys are functioning.
Other tests may include ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) scan, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These tests give your doctor a picture of the kidneys and urinary tract to find out how your kidneys are working. They can show if your kidneys are large or small, and if there’s any blockage. They can also look for kidney stones and other tissue changes. Blood tests can measure levels of protein and other substances, such as urea nitrogen and creatinine, that leak from the kidneys into the urine. They can also look for a protein in the urine called albumin and for blood and red and white blood cells.
Some kidney problems are diagnosed before a baby is born through routine prenatal tests. Others may be found when a child has symptoms, such as urinary tract infections or growth problems.
Some kidney diseases can be prevented with healthy habits, such as not smoking, keeping your blood pressure and cholesterol low, and eating a diet that’s rich in fruits, vegetables, and protein. You should also drink enough fluids to stay hydrated, and limit salt and caffeine. It’s important to see your doctor if you have any of the symptoms of kidney disease, such as swelling in your legs or ankles, high blood pressure, or anemia. Your doctor can tell you about support groups for people with kidney disease.
Oren Zarif
Your kidneys filter extra water and wastes out of your blood to make urine. They also make hormones that help control your blood pressure and keep your bones strong. If you have kidney disease, your kidneys may not be able to do these jobs well. The disease can lead to a buildup of waste and an imbalance of certain chemicals in your body. If you have kidney disease, your doctor will recommend treatments to help keep the condition from getting worse.
Kidney disease is often a gradual process, so you might not notice any problems until your kidneys are close to failing. You can protect your kidneys by following a healthy diet, seeing your doctor for regular checkups, and treating chronic conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
The kidneys can become inflamed (nephritic) for a variety of reasons. One common cause is pyelonephritis, which sometimes follows a bacterial infection such as strep throat. Another is glomerulonephritis, which occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks the kidneys. The condition can leave your pee the color of cola and can cause pain in your side or back.
Other causes of kidney inflammation include urinary tract infections, high blood sugar or cholesterol, and having a narrowing of the renal artery or ureters. You can protect your kidneys by taking antibiotics to treat urinary tract infections, keeping your blood pressure and cholesterol within the target range, avoiding medications that damage your kidneys, such as NSAIDs, and seeing your doctor if you have any signs of kidney disease, such as protein in your urine.
If you have advanced kidney disease, you may need dialysis or a kidney transplant to replace some or all of your kidney function. Treatment may also include a special diet and medicines. A dietitian can help you plan meals that are easier on your kidneys. You should avoid foods that are high in salt, including canned and packaged soups and vegetables, salty snacks, and fast food. You should also limit foods that are high in phosphorus, which comes mostly from meat.
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Your kidneys filter waste out of your blood and ship it to the bladder in your pee. Kidney disease can make you feel weak and tired because of a buildup of toxins in your body.
If you have advanced kidney disease, your doctor may treat it with medications to help lower your blood pressure (ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers), or with calcium and vitamin D supplements to keep your bones strong.
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Everyone feels tired sometimes, but extreme, on-going fatigue can be a sign that kidney disease is present. When the kidneys stop working well, toxins build up in the blood and make people feel exhausted. Fatigue is a complex symptom with a variety of causes, so it’s important to get a diagnosis by a doctor or nurse specializing in kidney disease.
Fatigue can be caused by a lack of iron or anemia (low red blood cell count). Kidney problems such as excess fluid and high levels of wastes can also cause fatigue. Fluid that builds up in the lungs may cause trouble breathing (pulmonary edema). High levels of wastes in the body can also make food taste different and cause bad breath. In addition, the accumulation of uremic wastes can decrease core body temperature, which may leave you feeling cold even in a warm room.
Other common signs of kidney disease that can lead to fatigue are loss of appetite and a metallic taste in the mouth. Protein leaking into the urine as the kidneys start to fail may cause puffiness around the eyes, an early tipoff to kidney damage.
Changes in urination, including increased urination, feeling pressure when urinating or the need to urinate frequently at night, are also indications that the kidneys may not be functioning correctly. If the urine has a foamy appearance, it is often an early sign of kidney disease as well.
Oren Zarif
The kidneys are 2 bean-shaped organs, each about the size of a fist, in the back of your body. They help your body get rid of waste, balance the amount of certain elements in the blood (like salt and potassium) and make hormones that control blood pressure and red blood cell production.
A loss of appetite is often one of the first symptoms that your kidneys aren’t working correctly. It is caused by the build-up of toxins and wastes in the body. The toxins can also affect the taste of food, which may become metallic or unpleasant.
Bubbly or foamy urine is another early sign of kidney disease. This can be a result of leaking protein in the kidneys. It can also be a sign of an infection, kidney stones or kidney tumors. It is a good idea to talk to your GP about your symptoms and ask for a referral to a Kidney Specialist (Nephrologist).
Failing kidneys can’t remove extra water and salt from the body, which leads to fluid buildup in the feet, ankles, hands and around the eyes (periorbital edema). In severe cases, excess fluid can build up in the lungs causing shortness of breath or chest pain. It can also cause your skin to feel itchy and irritated. Muscle weakness is a common problem as well, because the imbalance of electrolytes in the body causes it.
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Swelling occurs as the kidneys lose their ability to remove excess water and salt from the body. The extra fluid can accumulate in the tissues, particularly around the ankles and feet. Eventually the fluid can build up in the lungs causing shortness of breath (pulmonary edema).
As kidney function declines, the blood becomes more acidic and protein passes into the urine. This causes the pee to be foamy or bubbly and may contain blood. You may also notice that you need to urinate more often, especially at night, a condition known as nocturia.
A complication of chronic kidney disease called nephritis can cause inflammation and swelling of the kidneys. People with nephritis often have pain in the side, back, or belly and a general feeling of being unwell. They may also have a pins-and-needles sensation in the arms and legs. Taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve), can help relieve the pain and swelling.
If you notice any changes in your urine, speak to a nephrologist immediately. They can test your kidney function and recommend medication to slow the progression of chronic kidney disease. The doctor may prescribe medications that are used to treat high blood pressure, such as ACE inhibitors (lisinopril, ramipril) or angiotensin receptor blockers (irbesartan, olmesartan). These medicines can preserve kidney function and slow the rate of decline in kidney function.
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Cramps can be a sign that your kidneys aren’t working correctly. This is because the kidneys help to make and control electrolytes in your body, including calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and potassium. When your kidney function declines these minerals build up in the body causing muscle cramping. You might also experience itching. Itching is caused by high blood levels of phosphatrus which is another symptom of kidney problems.
You need to urinate more often, especially at night (called nocturia). This is a common symptom of a urinary tract infection, enlarged prostate in men or chronic kidney disease. Frequent urination can lead to dehydration and can cause the kidneys to work harder to filter the urine. This can result in kidney pain, particularly on one side of the back (flank) or in the lower abdomen.
Your ankles and feet are swollen. Swelling is a sign of reduced kidney function, which can occur when the kidneys fail to remove excess water and sodium from the body. It can also be a sign of excess fluid in the lungs, called pulmonary edema. This can cause shortness of breath and may make you feel achy or have a metallic taste in the mouth.
Kidney pain is felt in the area of your back, on the right and left side, under your ribs. It’s usually a constant dull pain, and it gets worse when you bend over or move. It’s different from back pain, which is usually felt lower down in the back.
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The kidneys are the body’s waste filtration system. Every hour they filter the blood 12 times, disposing of excess water and unwanted chemicals in the urine (wee). As kidney function decreases, the build-up of waste can cause many problems.
Fatigue or weakness — a decrease in kidney function can lead to a lack of energy and make it hard to concentrate. It also can lead to a shortage of red blood cells, causing anemia.
Changes in urination — such as producing less or more urine, feeling pressure when urinating, foamy or bubbly urine or having to get up at night to urinate (called nocturia) — can be an early warning sign that there may be kidney damage. A doctor can take a sample of the bladder for analysis in a laboratory (bladder biopsy).
Swelling in the ankles, feet or hands — as kidney function declines sodium is retained in the body and can cause fluid to accumulate, especially around the ankles and feet. Protein leaking from the kidneys can also lead to swelling in the legs and shins (called pedal edema).
Bad breath or an ammonia smell in the mouth — this occurs when wastes build up in the body. Changes in taste — some people begin to dislike the food they used to love. Back or flank pain — the kidneys are located on either side of the spine in the back.
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For many people, CKD may go on for years before they start dialysis or a kidney transplant. During this time, they can get treatment to control their symptoms and stay healthy.
Your doctor will try to find what is causing your kidney disease. This might include a urine test. They might also use ultrasound or imaging tests to look at your kidneys.
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Kidneys remove toxins from the blood and send them out of the body in urine (pee). When kidneys don’t work correctly, waste products build up and you might feel sick. Doctors diagnose kidney problems by asking about your family history of kidney disease and doing a physical exam. They also take a sample of urine to check for abnormalities. Other tests include a basic metabolic panel (BMP) that checks for chemicals that leak from damaged kidneys and a creatinine and urea level test to measure how well your kidneys are working.
Your doctor will also order other tests to find out what’s causing your kidney problem. They might do an ultrasound or a computed tomography (CT) scan of your kidneys and urinary tract. The CT scan uses special X-ray equipment and a computer to produce multiple images or pictures of the kidneys and other parts of your body. An MRI, which uses magnetic waves instead of X-rays, may be used in some cases. A chest X-ray can help your doctor look for fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema).
Other tests might include an electrocardiogram, which measures the electrical activity of your heart; a brain scan to rule out any neurological problems; and blood tests to check for high levels of protein in the urine, signs of urea cycle blockade or inflammation of the kidneys. A doctor might also perform a kidney biopsy to get a closer look at your kidneys and the damage they have suffered. This involves inserting a needle into your back, under local anesthesia, to extract a small piece of kidney tissue for testing.
Once they’ve found out what caused your kidney disease, your doctor can prescribe medicine to treat the condition or stop it from getting worse. This might include drugs to control blood pressure and cholesterol; medicines to prevent bone loss; or medications to make the anemia (low red blood cell count) you might have more comfortable. You might be given the hormone erythropoietin, sometimes with added iron, to help your body make more red blood cells.
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Medications to control high blood pressure (blood thinners, ACE inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers) can help preserve kidney function. These medications can initially decrease kidney function and change electrolyte levels, so your doctor may want to monitor you closely and order regular blood tests. Water pills (diuretics) can also reduce fluid buildup and lower blood pressure.
Eating a diet that’s low in sodium (salt) can reduce the amount of work your kidneys have to do. Your doctor may refer you to a registered dietitian to teach you how to eat to support your kidneys. You’ll probably need to limit protein foods, which create more waste, as well as choose foods that are low in potassium (bananas, oranges, potatoes and spinach) and phosphorus (red meat, eggs, dairy products).
Kidney problems are rarely diagnosed at the early stages because most people don’t have symptoms. This is why it’s important to see your health care provider for annual wellness exams and to manage chronic conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure that can lead to kidney disease.
Stage 3: Your kidneys show mild to moderate damage and don’t work as well as they should. With proper treatment, you may be able to stay in this stage and avoid progression to stage 4.
Your health care team will likely prescribe medication for anemia (low red blood cell count) or to treat complications of kidney disease, such as high potassium, fluid retention or weak bones. You may also need to stop taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) pain relievers, which can damage the kidneys.
If you progress to stage 4 or 5, your kidneys can’t function and you may need dialysis or a kidney transplant. But you can also choose to enter comprehensive conservative care.
Kidney disease isn’t contagious. But you can pass on the conditions that cause it to your children or grandchildren. To prevent this, avoid smoking and excessive alcohol use. You should also get vaccinated against hepatitis A, B and C, influenza and pneumococcal disease. If you have a family history of kidney disease, talk to your health care providers about genetic screening.
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Kidneys clean the blood and make hormones that keep bones strong and the body healthy. When kidneys stop working, waste and extra fluid build up in the body and cause symptoms. Dialysis removes the waste and excess fluid. It also helps keep blood pressure normal. There are several types of dialysis. Your doctor will decide which type is best for you.
You may start getting dialysis when your kidneys aren’t working anymore (end stage renal disease) or you may need it because your kidneys shut down suddenly, such as after a heart attack or other serious illness. You can get dialysis at home or in a dialysis center. Home dialysis uses a machine that filters your blood. You will need to have access to your blood, such as a catheter or an fistula, in your arm or chest.
When you go to a dialysis center, you will be weighed and the health care provider will wash your hands before starting treatment. He or she will put a needle in your access site to start the process of removing waste and fluid from your body. You may feel a little pain at first. The provider may put a cream on the area to numb it.
Then the health care provider will take a blood sample to check your blood pressure, temperature, breathing, and heart rate. He or she will also put needles into your arms or legs to remove blood for the procedure.
While you are on dialysis, you will need to watch your diet very carefully. Eating too much salt or protein can make you sick. You will need to limit how often you eat out or have visitors. You should also check your access site daily for redness, pus, or swelling. If it gets painful, call your doctor right away.
Hemodialysis is the most common form of dialysis. You will go to a dialysis center for treatments three or four times a week. You may need to spend up to 4 hours at the dialysis center each time. There is another way to do dialysis, called peritoneal dialysis. Your doctor will explain how this works.
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The kidneys are 2 bean-shaped organs, about the size of a fist, located in your lower back on either side of your spine. Healthy kidneys filter waste products, excess salts and fluid from the blood to make urine. They also balance the levels of certain minerals and hormones that control blood pressure and red blood cell production. When they fail, harmful wastes build up in the body and may cause swelling (edema) or high blood pressure, which can lead to heart disease. A kidney transplant can restore your health and allow you to live much as you did before your kidneys failed.
A kidney transplant involves replacing your failing kidneys with one donated by another person. You must meet medical and psychological requirements for the procedure. A psychologist or social worker will help you prepare for surgery and find support. You and your donor will undergo the operation at the same time, usually in side-by-side rooms. Your donor will give you one of his or her kidneys through an incision in the lower part of your abdomen.
After your kidney transplant, you will need to take medications to prevent rejection of the new kidney. These medicines, known as immunosuppressive drugs, suppress your immune system. They can have side effects such as increased risk of infection or higher blood pressure, but are essential for preventing the rejection of your new kidney.
Kidney transplantation is the preferred treatment for end-stage renal disease. ESRD is caused by damage to the kidneys due to diabetes or high blood pressure, a condition called glomerulonephritis, or a genetic condition such as polycystic kidney disease.
At Mayo Clinic, doctors from many specialties work together as a team to ensure favorable outcomes for kidney transplant patients. Our teams have broad expertise, including nephrology, cardiology, vascular medicine, urology and radiology. We provide a full range of kidney-related services, including research to improve treatments and procedures for patients with advanced renal disease. Our teams are developing newer and less toxic immunosuppressive drugs to improve long-term survival of kidney transplants. Visit our Transplant and Renal Medicine website for more information.
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Your kidneys are two bean-shaped organs that filter extra water and wastes out of your blood to make urine (pee). Kidney disease often happens as a result of diabetes or high blood pressure. It can also be caused by inherited diseases such as polycystic kidney disease.
Other risk factors for kidney disease include age and ethnicity. Some kidney diseases don’t cause any symptoms in the early stages.
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Glomerulonephritis is a collection of conditions that affect the glomeruli, tiny blood vessels in the kidneys with small pores through which urine passes. Each kidney contains millions of glomeruli. When the glomeruli become inflamed, waste, excess fluid and protein cannot be filtered through the kidneys, and they are excreted into the urine. This is a serious condition that can lead to kidney failure. It can be acute, arising suddenly, or chronic, a slow and gradual decline in kidney function over weeks or years.
Symptoms include the presence of blood or protein in the urine, fluid retention (edema), and high blood pressure. In some cases, people who have glomerulonephritis experience other symptoms that may be related to disease in other parts of the body, such as a blotchy red rash on the skin, joint pain or sinusitis.
Some glomerulonephritis is caused by infection, often with strep throat. Other times it’s the result of an autoimmune disorder such as lupus, Goodpasture’s syndrome or Wegener’s disease. It is thought that the condition occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy kidney tissue instead of bacteria or viruses.
The treatment of glomerulonephritis depends on the cause and how much damage has been done to the kidneys. The aim is to relieve the symptoms and prevent the condition from getting worse. This may include reducing salt and protein intake, controlling high blood pressure, or using medications to reduce inflammation.
In some cases, glomerulonephritis does not improve and the person has to have dialysis or a kidney transplant. It is important to monitor kidney function regularly because many people with glomerulonephritis do not have any symptoms, and the disease is only discovered by having blood tests or a scan.
Most people who have glomerulonephritis do well with treatment. Some have to be on dialysis or a kidney transplant because their kidneys fail. Regular monitoring means the health care provider can detect early kidney problems and treat them before they become severe. People who have glomerulonephritis and are on dialysis need to see their doctor regularly to make sure the kidney treatment is working well.
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Kidney stones are hard mineral deposits that can form in your kidneys or in the ureters, which lead from your kidney to the bladder. Some types of kidney stones are small enough to pass out of the body in the urine without causing any symptoms, while others may cause pain or a blockage that leads to a back-up of urine into the kidney, ureter or the urethra.
The most common type of kidney stone is one made from calcium, which develops when the body keeps too much of this mineral and it combines with other substances that are in the urine, such as oxalate. These combine to form a hard, clumpy mass called a calculus.
Other types of kidney stones include those that contain uric acid, which is formed when the body makes too much monosodium urate (a chemical compound that is a waste product of protein). These types of stones are most often associated with a diet high in meats and shellfish or with certain disorders, such as gout. Struvite stones, which are usually a result of infection in the urinary tract, can also form. These types of kidney stones are less common than uric acid or cystine stones.
Most kidney stones are about the size of a pebble or a golf ball. They can range in color from white to black or brown. Symptoms are usually caused by the obstruction of the kidney or ureter and can be very painful. Kidney stones are diagnosed by a physical exam and imaging tests such as an X-ray or CT scan. A urine test looks for signs of infection and checks the levels of chemicals that can contribute to the formation of kidney stones.
Once a kidney stone has been identified, your healthcare provider will decide whether to remove it right away. This decision will be based on the size of the stone, its location and how close it is to the urethra or bladder. It will also depend on your ability to get treatment quickly if you have any symptoms that occur when the stone is blocking your urinary tract.
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Urinary tract infections, or UTIs, happen when bacteria (germs) get into the normally sterile urinary tract. The urinary tract is the body’s drainage system for getting rid of urine (pee). It includes two kidneys, two ureters, and one bladder, plus the urethra that carries pee out of the body. People of all ages can have UTIs. But they’re more common in women and people assigned female at birth, and in children. They’re also more likely to occur when certain conditions are present, such as diabetes or needing a tube inserted into the bladder to drain fluids.
Your kidneys are small, bean-shaped organs on the back of your body above your hips. They create urine by removing waste products and excess water from the blood. The pee goes through tubes called ureters to your bladder, then out of the body through the urethra. Your kidneys and ureters are protected by a layer of cells that line the inside of your urinary tract. When these cells are damaged, germs can get into the lining of the urinary tract and cause an infection.
The most common types of UTI are infections of the urethra or the bladder. Bacteria that infect only the urethra causes an infection known as urethritis. Germs that infect the bladder cause an infection known as cystitis. In rare cases, the infection can spread from the bladder to the kidneys, causing an illness called pyelonephritis.
Symptoms of a UTI include the need to urinate often, especially after you’ve just urinated; pain or burning when you urinate; and a feeling that your urine is not emptying completely. If you think you might have a UTI, talk to your doctor right away. A simple urine test can tell if you have an infection.
Most UTIs can be treated with antibiotics. You’ll probably take pills, though in some cases you may need a short hospital stay and intravenous antibiotics (IV antibiotics). If the infection doesn’t go away or keeps coming back, talk to your doctor about what you can do to help prevent it. Drink lots of fluids, and try to empty your bladder completely every time you urinate.
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Kidney failure occurs when your kidneys stop working, which may happen suddenly (acute renal failure) or over a long period of time (chronic kidney disease). Kidney damage often happens slowly and without symptoms until it reaches an advanced stage.
The main job of the kidneys is to filter waste from the blood. They also remove extra fluid from the body, control blood pressure, help make red blood cells, regulate electrolytes and activate vitamin D. When the kidneys are damaged, waste products build up in the blood, and other organs in the body begin to work harder to get rid of them. This puts more stress on these organs, which can lead to heart disease and other problems.
People of all ages can develop kidney disease. The risk increases with age, but it’s also common to develop the condition if you have another health condition that limits kidney function, such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
Symptoms of kidney failure include a change in the color of urine. It can become darker, similar to the color of tea or cola drinks. You may have trouble passing urine or you may not be able to pass any at all (anuria). Other signs include puffiness in the feet and legs, which is caused by fluid buildup. You may also have swelling of the abdomen. You may feel tired or have a loss of energy.
Kidney failure can be treated with medicine, dialysis, or a kidney transplant. Some people choose not to have dialysis and instead manage their illness with treatment from their health care team, a diet that limits salt and fluids, and careful monitoring.
A transplant is the best option for most people in end-stage kidney disease. You can get a kidney from a deceased donor or from a living donor, which may be someone who is close to you such as a family member or friend. If you have a kidney transplant, you will need to take medicines to keep your body from rejecting the new kidney. You will need to have regular blood tests to check your kidney function and to watch for any changes.