Kidney Failure: What to Expect
Kidney failure can hit you in surprising ways. You may get headaches and other pains. You may be tired all the time and lose your appetite. But what do the kidneys have to do with these conditions?
Healthy kidneys remove waste products from your blood. When your kidneys stop working waste products build up in your blood. These waste products are called uremic toxins. This condition is known as uremia. Your kidneys also make hormones and balance chemicals in your system. When your kidneys stop working many problems can happen. You may develop anemia (low blood count) or conditions that affect your bones, nerves, and skin. Some of the more common conditions caused by kidney failure are fatigue, bone problems, joint problems, itching, and "restless legs."
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