Most people might not be aware that kidney diseases could be a silent killer. Symptoms might be observed when the situation becomes critical for most of the
cases. So it becomes important to recognize the early symptoms of kidney diseases.
Here you go with a list of symptoms you should aware of:
Experience changes in your urinary function : Changes in frequency of your urination. There may be an increase or decrease in amount as well, especially at night time. The color could be more dark. You may feel the urge to urinate but not able to do so.
Pain or difficulty during voiding : Sometimes you might feel difficulty or pressure or pain while voiding. Urinary tract infections may cause symptoms such as pain or burning during urination. When the infections spread to the kidneys it might cause fever and pain in your back.
Blood in the urine : This symptom need your attention as it could be a definite cause of concern. Although there might be other reason, but it is advisable to visit your physician in case you notice this symptom.
Swelling : Kidney functions to remove waste and extra fluid from our body. When they are unable to do so, this extra fluid will build up causing swelling in your body (hands, feet, ankles and face).
Generalized weakness and extreme fatigue : Kidney produces a hormone called erythropoietin which help in making red blood cells that carry oxygen. In kidney disease lower levels of erythropoietin causes to decrease red blood cells in our body resulting in anemia. There is decreased in oxygen delivery to cells causing generalized weakness and extreme fatigue.
Dizziness & Inability to concentrate : Anemia associated with kidney disease also depletes your brain of oxygen which may cause dizziness, trouble with concentration, etc.
Feeling cold all the time : If you have kidney disease you may feel cold even when in a warm surrounding due to anemia.
Pyelonephritis (kidney infection) may cause fever with chills.
Skin rashes and itching : Kidney failure causes waste build-up in your blood. This can causes severe itching and skin rashes.
Ammonia breath and metallic taste : Kidney failure increases level of urea in the blood (uraemia). This urea is broken down to ammonia in the saliva causing urine-like bad breath called ammonia breath. It is also usually associated with an unpleasant metallic taste (dysgeusia) in the mouth.
Nausea and vomiting : The build-up of waste products in your blood in kidney disease can also cause nausea and vomiting.
Shortness of breath : Kidney disease causes fluid to build up in the lungs. And also, anemia, a common side-effect of kidney disease, starves your body of oxygen. You may have trouble catching your breath due to these factors.
Pain in the back or sides : Some cases of kidney disease may cause pain. You may feel a severe cramping pain that spreads from the lower back into the groin
if there is a kidney stone in the ureter. Pain may also be related to polycystic kidney disease, an inherited kidney disorder, which causes many fluid-filled cysts in the kidneys. Interstitial cystitis, a chronic inflammation of the bladder wall, causes chronic pain and discomfort.
It is important to identify kidney disease in early stage because in most cases the damage in the kidneys can not be restored. It is advisable to see your physician when you observe one or more symptoms as mentioned above. Early detection can minimize any associated risk also result for most effective treatment.
Kidney disease can have no symptoms, but people may experience:
Whole body: fatigue, high blood pressure, loss of appetite, malaise, or water-electrolyte imbalance
Also common: kidney damage, abnormal heart rhythm, failure to thrive, fluid in the lungs, insufficient urine production, itching, kidney failure, severe unintentional weight loss, or swelling
