7 Symptoms Of Kidney Disease
Is it possible to tell if you are suffering from kidney disease? These organs are located in the back of the abdomen, parallel to the spine.
Their proper functioning plays a very important role in the health of human beings because they are responsible for keeping electrolyte levels, blood pressure and fluids under control.
Just like other organs in the body, they are at constant risk of contracting infections and various diseases.
Although they are not that common, the problem lies in the fact that these diseases are asymptomatic in the early stages and are therefore usually very difficult to diagnose.
The only way to accurately identify them is through a medical blood or urine test. However, there are some physical signs that could help us suspect the presence of some anomaly.
Below we want to share in detail the 7 most common symptoms of a kidney disease so that you do not hesitate to consult a doctor.
Symptoms of kidney disease
1. Excessive tiredness
Chronic fatigue is the result of the difficulty that the blood has in carrying oxygen to the cells of the body following a malfunction of the kidneys.
The kidneys are involved in the production of red blood cells and their deterioration prevents them from reproducing in adequate quantities.
2. Itchy skin
Through the function of the kidneys, much of the blood toxins are excreted from the body via urine.
Due to the malfunctioning of the kidneys, residues are retained in the tissues and it is very common to experience itching or tingling under the skin.
3. Edema
Water retention, or edema, is among the most violent symptoms of kidney disease.
Although many factors influence its occurrence, renal failure is undoubtedly one of the main causes.
The kidneys keep the levels of water and sodium in the body under control, therefore their malfunction prevents these levels from rebalancing adequately.
This is a symptom that can also occur if there is a large loss of protein in the urine, a condition called nephrotic syndrome.
Inflammation usually focuses on the feet and ankles, although it sometimes occurs on the arms, face, and other parts of the body.
4. Anemia
Anemia may be an indicative factor of advanced kidney disease.
The kidneys are responsible for producing a hormone called erythropoietin which is in charge of stimulating the bone marrow to produce blood cells.
Due to the fact that its function is compromised by renal insufficiency at an advanced stage, its levels decrease considerably and chronic anemia pictures are produced.
5. Back pain
Pain in the lower back can be a sign of possible kidney disease, especially in older patients.
Although not a very common symptom, it can be due to the presence of stones in the kidneys or urinary tract.
In these cases the pain can be intense and tends to be accompanied by other symptoms, such as difficulty urinating or a burning sensation.
It is important to distinguish this pain from what muscles produce, especially since it can be the solution to identifying serious problems.
6. Changes in urine
Knowing how to distinguish the urine of healthy kidneys is crucial to being able to find warning signs indicating difficulties in these organs.
When there is a problem with the organs, problems arise such as:
- Need to urinate in the middle of the night.
- Foamy or effervescent urine.
- A fetid-smelling, dark-colored urine.
- Increased amount of urine, too pale in color.
- Difficulty urinating more than four times a day.
- Urinary incontinence.
- Presence of blood in the urine.
7. Bad breath
Ammonia-smelling breath and a metallic taste in the mouth can occur due to the accumulation of toxins in the blood following kidney failure.
This annoying symptom is difficult to keep under control even if you maintain good oral hygiene habits.
Although all the symptoms mentioned may depend on multiple causes, the possibility that their origin may indicate a kidney disease should not be excluded.
Consult a doctor if you are suspicious and request medical tests to verify that all is well.
