Acute Renal Failure Symptoms And Causes

Drowsiness And Fatigue

There are many different reasons a patient may experience fatigue or excessive drowsiness. One of the most common causes of fatigue is anemia, which is related to the kidneys, as they produce a hormone known as erythropoietin (EPO), which encourages the bone marrow to produce oxygen-rich red blood cells. As the kidneys begin to fail, they make less of this hormone, resulting in the bone marrow making fewer red blood cells, causing anemia and less oxygen being able to reach muscles and the brain. Luckily, this common symptom can be treated.

One of the first strategies to implement is increasing a patient’s intake of iron, which will improve hemoglobin levels and restore the kidneys to functioning in a somewhat normal manner. Vitamin B12 and folic acid are also essential and should be consumed through vitamin-rich foods including leafy greens such as broccoli, spinach, and kale, animal sources such as eggs, dairy, and meat, and fruits such as oranges, apples, and strawberries. For patients who experience dangerously low hemoglobin levels, a red blood cell transfusion may be required.

Nausea

If an individual’s kidneys are not removing waste, this results in a buildup of toxins and waste products within the blood. For many patients, this results in them experiencing nausea and vomiting. As nausea worsens, many patients lose their appetite and begin to lose weight rather quickly. It is believed high urea nitrogen is the root cause of nausea, and controlling these levels are critical.

It is recommended patients limit their protein intake considering urea protein is the result of high levels of protein within the body that leads to blood urea nitrogen (BUN), resulting in nausea. Since the human body requires protein, it is suggested patients reduce protein sources that provide little nutritional benefit, such as processed meats, and consume more fish, chicken, and other lean protein sources, as well as nuts, seeds, and eggs.