Symptoms:

Symptoms may include:

• General ill feeling and fatigue
• Generalized itching (pruritus) and dry skin
• Headaches
• Weight loss without trying
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea

Other symptoms may develop, including:

• Abnormally dark or light skin and changes in nails
• Bone pain
• Brain and nervous system symptoms
  • Drowsiness and confusion
  • Problems concentrating or thinking
  • Numbness in the hands, feet, or other areas
  • Muscle twitching or cramps
• Breath odor
• Easy bruising, nosebleeds, or blood in the stool
• Excessive thirst
• Frequent hiccups
• Low level of sexual interest and impotence
• Menstrual periods stop (amenorrhea)
• Sleep problems, such as insomnia, restless leg syndrome, or obstructive sleep apnea
• Swelling of the feet and hands (edema)
• Vomiting, especially in the morning

Signs and tests:

High blood pressure almost always occurs during end-stage kidney disease. A brain and nervous system (neurologic) examination may show signs of nerve damage. The health care provider may hear abnormal heart or lung sounds with a stethoscope.

Patients with end-stage kidney disease will make much less urine, or urine production may stop.

End-stage kidney disease changes the results of many tests. Patients receiving dialysis will need these and other tests done often:

• Potassium
• Sodium
• Albumin
• Phosphorous
• Calcium
• Cholesterol
• Magnesium
• Complete blood count (CBC)
• Electrolytes

This disease may also change the results of the following tests:

• Erythropoietin
• PTH
• Bone density test