Kidneys are vital organs that play a crucial role in our overall health and well-being. They help filter waste products from our blood, regulate the body’s salt, acid, and potassium levels, and produce hormones essential for red blood cell production and blood pressure regulation, among other functions.
However, these vital functions can be disrupted when our kidneys get damaged or diseased. In this article, we’ll look at the top 15 symptoms of kidney disease that you need to be aware of.
- Changes in Urination
One of the early symptoms of kidney disease is changes in your urination patterns. You may experience difficulty passing urine, have to urinate more frequently or in more significant amounts, or have a sudden urge to urinate at night.
- Blood in the Urine
Blood in your urine can be an alarming symptom of kidney disease. It may appear pink, red, or brown, indicating problems with your kidneys’ filtering abilities.
- Swelling Around Your Eyes, Hands or Feet
As kidneys help regulate fluid levels in the body, a decrease in their function can lead to fluid retention. This could manifest as swelling around your eyes, hands, or feet.
- Foamy Urine
Healthy urine should not have any visible foam or bubbles. However, when your kidneys are not functioning correctly, protein may leak into your urine. It causes the urine to become foamy, making it one of the apparent kidney disease symptoms.
- Extreme Fatigue and Weakness
Kidney disease can cause a build-up of toxins and waste products in the body, leading to excessive fatigue and weakness.
- Loss of Appetite
Damaged kidneys may also lead to a loss of appetite due to the build-up of waste products in the blood that can cause nausea or vomiting.
- Nausea and Vomiting
Nausea and vomiting are common symptoms of kidney disease, often accompanied by a metallic taste in the mouth.
- Bad Breath
When kidneys fail to filter waste products from the blood, it can result in an ammonia-like smell on your breath.
- Difficulty Concentrating
Higher levels of toxins and waste products in the body can also cause difficulty concentrating and a feeling of mental fogginess.
- Muscle Cramps
Kidney disease can result in an imbalance of electrolytes, which may lead to muscle cramping.
- Itchy Skin
An accumulation of waste products in the blood can cause severe itching all over your body.
- Chest Pain
When kidneys are not functioning correctly, it can result in fluid accumulation around the heart, causing chest pain.
- Shortness of Breath
In some cases, anaemia caused by kidney disease may lead to a shortage of oxygen-carrying red blood cells, resulting in shortness of breath.
- High Blood Pressure
Healthy kidneys help regulate blood pressure but can lead to high blood pressure when damaged or diseased.
- Weakness and Cramps in the Leg
An imbalance of electrolytes due to kidney disease can also cause weakness and cramping in your legs, especially at night.
If you experience any of these symptoms, consult a doctor immediately. Early detection and treatment of chronic kidney disease can help prevent further damage and improve overall health and well-being. Take care of your kidneys, and they’ll take care of you!
