Symptoms of End-stage Renal Disease (ESRD)

by Michael Jubinville, MPH

Symptoms may change or worsen as chronic kidney disease reaches this stage. Common ESRD symptoms may include:

Pain—May be caused by the disease, its care, or other health problems. It may be felt all over the body or in certain places such as the bones, muscles, nerves, or belly.
Feeling weak and tired.
Loss of hunger and weight loss.
Itchy skin.
Problems with breathing, sleeping, thinking clearly, or concentrating.
Swelling—Can happen in the face, hands, legs, ankles or feet.
Nausea or vomiting.
Depression.

References:

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) in adults. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dyname.... Updated January 18, 2019. Accessed July 8, 2019.

Kidney failure (ESRD) causes, symptoms, & treatments. American Kidney Fund website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed July 8, 2019.

Murphree DD, Thelen SM. Chronic kidney disease in primary care. J Am Board Fam Med. 2010;23(4):542-550.

O'Connor NR, Corcoran AM. End-stage renal disease: symptom management and advance care planning. Am Fam Physician. 2012;85(7):705-710.

What is kidney failure? National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website. Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/kidney-failure/what-is-kidney-failure. Updated January 2018. Accessed July 8, 2019.

Last reviewed July 2019 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Adrienne Carmack, MD
Last Updated: 10/4/2019

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