Renal Failure

 

Renal failure occurs when the kidneys function less efficiently or stop working completely, and can be acute or chronic. Acute renal failure can be due to injury, infection, dehydration, kidney stones or lack of salt, and has a rapid onset, over days or weeks.

 

Chronic renal failure can be a result of chronic kidney disease, and may be a complication of diabetes, some genetic diseases, hypertension or the cause may be unknown. It has a slow onset over months or years.

 

Symptoms of renal failure include; fatigue, diahrrhoea and vomiting, weight loss, pain, shortness of breath, and swelling of the legs and ankles

 

Renal failure can cause difficulties with passing of urine, or sufferers may produce large quantities of urine. There may also be blood in the urine