Signs that a person may be dying from kidney failure include increasing weakness, extreme tiredness, sleeping more, confusion, agitation, and reduced interest in food or fluids. Urine output may become very low, and the person may be less alert or harder to wake.
Other common signs include shortness of breath, swelling in the legs or around the eyes, nausea, vomiting, itching, muscle cramps, and pain. Fluid buildup can make breathing more difficult and may cause chest discomfort or congestion.
These changes may develop over days or weeks, especially when kidney failure is advanced and dialysis is not being used, is no longer effective, or has been stopped. However, symptoms alone cannot predict exactly how much time a person has left, and some may also be caused by infection, heart problems, or other treatable conditions.
Seek urgent medical help for severe breathing difficulty, chest pain, sudden confusion, or unresponsiveness. A nephrologist and palliative care or hospice team can help manage symptoms, explain what to expect, and support the patient and family. Do not change medications or stop dialysis without medical guidance.