The majority of individuals may be unaware that renal problems can be silent killers. 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. Kidney diseases can manifest through various symptoms that should not be ignored. While these symptoms may indicate kidney-related issues, it's important to consult a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis.
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.
Pain or burning while urinating are among the signs of urinary tract infections. 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.
Anemia linked to renal illness also depletes the oxygen in your brain, which can lead to symptoms like dizziness and difficulty concentrating.
Feeling cold all the time: Kidney disease can cause anemia, which can make you feel cold even in a warm environment.
Fever and chills may accompany a kidney illness called pyelonephritis.
Skin rashes and itching : Kidney failure causes waste build-up in your blood. This may result in skin rashes and intense itching.
Ammonia breath and metallic taste : Uremia, a condition when there is an elevated quantity of urea in the blood, causes ammonia breath and a metallic taste. Ammonia breath, which resembles urine in flavor, is produced when this urea is converted to ammonia in the saliva. Additionally, dysgeusia, an unpleasant metallic tongue taste, is frequently related to it.
Vomiting and nausea are two symptoms of renal illness that can also be brought on by the accumulation of waste products in your blood.
Breathlessness: Kidney illness leads to a buildup of fluid 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.
Some renal diseases might produce pain in the back or sides. You can experience excruciating cramping pain that radiates from your lower back into your groin.
Swelling of the face, abdomen, and feet:
Swelling, also known as edema, is a frequent presentation of kidney disease. Typically, swelling is first noticed below the eyelids (periorbital edema) and is most noticeable in the morning. It's important to note that swelling doesn't always indicate kidney failure. In certain kidney diseases, swelling may occur even with normal kidney function, while in some cases of significant kidney failure, swelling may not be present.
Loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting:
Kidney failure can lead to loss of appetite, abnormal taste in the mouth, and poor food intake. As kidney function declines, there is an increased level of toxic substances in the body, which can cause nausea, vomiting, and occasionally intractable hiccups.
High blood pressure (hypertension):
Hypertension is common in patients with kidney failure. If high blood pressure occurs at a young age (less than 30 years) or is extremely high at the time of diagnosis, it may be indicative of kidney disease as the underlying cause.
Anemia and weakness:
Anemia, characterized by a low hemoglobin level, can result in general weakness, early fatigue, poor concentration, and pallor. These symptoms may be the only complaints in the early stages of chronic kidney failure. If anemia does not respond to standard treatment, it is important to consider kidney failure as a potential cause.
Nonspecific complaints:
Kidney disease can also manifest as low back pain, generalized body aches, itching, and leg cramps. In children with kidney failure, retardation of growth, short stature, and bending of leg bones are commonly observed.
Urinary complaints:
Various urinary complaints may indicate kidney problems. These include a reduction in urine volume, dysuria (burning sensation during urination), increased frequency of urination, and the presence of blood or pus in the urine. Obstruction in the normal flow of urine can cause difficulty in passing urine or a poor stream of urine. In severe cases, complete inability to pass urine may occur.
If a kidney stone is present 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.
Symptoms of kidney disease can range from being absent to including:
Whole body: weakness, hypertension, appetite loss, malaise, or water-electrolyte imbalance
Itching, kidney failure, fluid in the lungs, insufficient urine production, kidney damage, irregular heart rhythm, failure to thrive, edema, or significant unintended weight loss are additional prevalent conditions.
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