Kidney failure symptoms – what are the signs and stages of the condition and how does dialysis work?

KIDNEY failure is a long-term condition where the organs that filter waste products from the blood don't work as they should.

But what do we know about the condition that David Cassidy is reported to have? Here's the latest.

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What is kidney failure?

Your kidneys are located towards your lower back, either side of your spine, and help to remove toxins from your body and filter your blood.

They then send toxins to your bladder to be removed from the body during urination.

Kidney failure happens when the pair of organs lose their ability to fulfil their function sufficiently.

If your kidneys fail your body can become overloaded with toxins and this can be life-threatening if the condition is left untreated.

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What are the symptoms of kidney failure?

There are a number of symptoms that can occur during kidney failure, but it is also possible that none can be present too.

Possible symptoms include:

• a reduced amount of urine
• swelling of your legs, ankles, and feet
• unexplained shortness of breath
• excessive drowsiness or fatigue
• persistent nausea
• confusion
• pain or pressure in your chest
• seizures
• coma

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What causes kidney failure?

There are numerous ways that kidney failure can occur.

One of the ways is when there is a sudden loss of blood flow to the kidneys, which can happen after a heart attack, heart disease, dehydration, a severe burn, an allergic reaction and an infection like sepsis.

High blood pressure and anti-inflammatory medication can limit blood flow too.

Another way kidney failure can occur is when your body can’t eliminate urine, so toxins build up and overload the kidneys.

Other causes include and are not limited to:

• a blood clot in or around your kidneys
• infection
• an overload of toxins from heavy metals
• drugs and alcohol
• vasculitis, an inflammation of blood vessels
• lupus, an autoimmune disease that can cause inflammation of many body organ

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What is the treatment for kidney failure?

You should consult a GP or specialist to determine the best cause of action for you.

Treatment may include dialysis, where the blood is filtered and purified using a machine.

This doesn’t cure kidney failure but may help to extend your life.

Another option is to have a kidney transplant, although there can be a long wait to receive a donor kidney that is compatible with your body.

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How can you treat dogs with kidney disease?

It is predicated that more than one in 10 dogs will get kidney disease in their lifetime.

Dogs who have moderate to severe chronic kidney disease may be prone to dehydration, so you may notice your pet is lethargic.

Dialysis and kidney transplants are not readily available for dogs, so treatment is usually aimed at tackling the symptoms.

You should take your dog to the vet if you notice symptoms such as:

• urinary incontinence (urine leakage)
• dehydration
• lethargy
• reduced appetite
• vomiting
• weight loss
• bad breath with a chemical odour
• oral ulcers