In general, the symptoms of kidney failure are the result of a slow build-up of waste in the blood and the gradual failure of the kidneys' regulatory functions.

Excess fluid builds up in the body because the failing kidneys are not producing enough urine. It can lead to a condition known as oedema. This excess fluid causes symptoms such as swelling around the eyes, in the hands, ankles and feet. If excess fluid continues to accumulate, fluid overload can occur. Fluid can also collect in the lungs, causing pulmonary oedema.

If you have fluid overload, your blood pressure will also increase. This is because your blood contains more water than normal, which increases the pressure on your blood vessels.

When kidneys are damaged there will be a slow down in the production of the hormone erythropoeitin, this will mean the body does not have enough red blood cells. This causes anaemia, a common complication of kidney failure. If we don’t have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen around the body, we become weak, cold, tired, and short of breath.

Since the symptoms of kidney failure tend to appear slowly, over a long period of time, they are easily overlooked, or thought to be normal responses to the stresses and strains of everyday life. This may delay diagnosis and treatment and increase the damage to the kidneys.

If you experience any of the symptoms of kidney failure listed here, discuss them with your doctor: