What are the symptoms of chronic kidney failure?

Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
Updated on December 28, 2024
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Chronic kidney failure generally may have some clinical symptoms, but many patients do not have any discomfort. Some common clinical symptoms mainly include increased urine foam and decreased urine output. Due to the decline in renal function for urine excretion, it can lead to edema, particularly in areas such as both ankles and the face. In the state of renal failure, patients may also experience hyperkalemia and metabolic acidosis. Due to metabolic acidosis, patients might exhibit deep and labored breathing. In the advanced stages of kidney failure, patients may suffer from renal anemia, leading to fatigue and potentially experiencing bone pain and susceptibility to fractures due to renal osteodystrophy.

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Written by Wu Ji
Nephrology
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Causes of Chronic Renal Failure

The causes of chronic renal failure mainly include primary and secondary glomerular diseases. Secondary glomerular diseases include diabetic nephropathy, hypertensive glomerulosclerosis, lupus nephritis, etc. They also include tubulointerstitial diseases such as chronic pyelonephritis, chronic uric acid nephropathy, obstructive nephropathy, drug-induced nephropathy, etc. In addition, there are also renal vascular diseases, hereditary kidney diseases, etc. In developed countries, diabetic nephropathy and hypertensive glomerulosclerosis have become the main causes of chronic renal failure. In developing countries, these two diseases still rank behind primary glomerulonephritis as causes of chronic renal failure, but there has been a noticeably increasing trend in recent years.

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Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
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What are the symptoms of chronic kidney failure?

The symptoms of chronic kidney failure are related to the severity of the condition; the more severe the kidney failure, the more symptoms the patient will have. In the early stages, patients may not feel uncomfortable or show any symptoms. Some patients may experience swelling in the lower limbs and facial area. Others may display clinical signs such as elevated blood pressure and visible blood in the urine. As kidney failure progresses and blood creatinine levels exceed 442 umol/L, patients may experience fatigue, which is due to renal anemia. Some patients may also experience a loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and other gastrointestinal symptoms.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Nephrology
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What is best to eat for chronic renal failure?

Patients with chronic renal failure are advised to adopt a low-salt, low-fat, and high-quality protein diet. For those not undergoing dialysis, protein intake should be strictly controlled to 0.6 to 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight per day. Additionally, patients with stage 3 CKD or above often experience electrolyte disorders, such as hyperkalemia, which can lead to cardiac arrest and arrhythmias. Therefore, it is important to avoid foods high in potassium, such as bananas, oranges, dates, kiwis, and tomatoes. Due to the strict protein intake, hypoproteinemia may occur, and these patients are also prone to hyperphosphatemia. It is recommended to choose foods with a low phosphorus to protein ratio, generally those with a ratio below fifteen. After starting dialysis, the same principles apply, but protein intake can be slightly increased, as some protein is lost during both hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. The protein intake can be adjusted to 1.0 to 1.2 grams per kilogram of body weight per day, while still controlling phosphorus and potassium intake.

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Nephrology
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Chronic Renal Failure Clinical Manifestations

Patients with chronic renal failure may exhibit fatigue, which is mainly due to anemia. Patients with stage three or higher chronic renal failure generally have anemia, which can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, palpitations, and pallor. Additionally, patients may experience nausea and vomiting, which are primarily caused by an increase in toxins. Furthermore, patients may also exhibit symptoms such as edema and shortness of breath, as individuals with chronic renal failure typically experience reduced urine output. A higher intake than output over time can lead to an increased circulating blood volume, resulting in heart failure.

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Written by Zhou Qi
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Factors that exacerbate chronic renal failure

Patients with chronic kidney failure should pay close attention to potential triggers that could worsen kidney failure. Avoiding or managing these triggers is crucial for slowing the progression of chronic kidney failure. Common causes include various factors that lead to renal ischemia and hypoxia, such as diarrhea, vomiting, and heat stroke in the summer. These factors can cause dehydration, leading to ischemia and hypoxia in the kidneys, which is a common scenario for the acute exacerbation of chronic kidney failure. Secondly, obstructions in the urinary system can also contribute to the progression of chronic kidney failure. For example, urinary system stones and benign prostatic hyperplasia in males can cause urinary obstruction, leading to further deterioration of kidney function. Finally, infections, heart failure, and hypercalcemia are also factors that can potentially worsen chronic kidney failure.