Spotting Kidney Disease: Early Signs To Look Out For

Our body is smart, and the minute something is wrong, it gives us signals, but we must be aware enough to read them.

Millions live their everyday lives normally, with no idea that they are carrying a kidney disease. This happens because, in the early stages, the differences are so subtle that people just ignore those warning signals that their body is sending them.

People pay more importance to their blood pressure, diabetes levels, and cholesterol, but opt out when it comes to getting a simple creatinine test. Visiting a Nephrologist should be done routinely, especially if you’re older than 50 years of age.

Some early signs of kidney disease to watch out for:

Lethargy

Kidneys are made for filtration; they strip off harmful toxins from your body and discard them when you urinate. If your kidneys aren’t working right, these toxins build up. It results in exhaustion, extensive lethargy, weakness, and trouble concentrating.

Poor Sleep Pattern

Chronic Kidney Disease is linked to sleep apnea; if it goes untouched, it can lead to kidney failure. This happens because your body doesn’t provide an ample amount of oxygen to the kidneys and other organs.

Itchy and Dry Skin

If your kidneys fail to flush out all the toxins, they build up. This results in rashes, dry skin, or itchiness. It can also lead you to develop bone diseases since kidneys also balance out the minerals in your body.

Swelling

Kidneys filter out salts from our bodies. If they can’t remove excess sodium, it builds up, leading to a swollen face, feet, ankles, hands, and legs.

Muscle Cramps

An imbalance in minerals (sodium, potassium, calcium) causes muscle cramps. If your kidneys don’t filter out these minerals, cramps become more common.

Breathlessness

Your body makes erythropoietin, a hormone responsible for signaling your body to create more red blood cells. If you have kidney disease, your body doesn’t make enough erythropoietin, resulting in fewer RBCs. This causes anemia and breathlessness.

Fogginess

Another sign of kidney disease is fogginess. Since your kidney disease can lead to anemia, it blocks your brain from receiving plenty of oxygen (which is transported by RBCs). This leads to fatigue, dizziness, and a foggy head.

Less Appetite

If your appetite has changed suddenly and you’ve noticed other symptoms as well, it’s time to go to a doctor. Kidney disease leads to nausea, vomiting, and a lack of appetite.

Urine Changes

If you’re noticing foamy, brown, or bloody urine, something isn’t right. This is usually a very striking symptom of kidney disease. You could have stones, an infection, or a kidney tumor.

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Disclaimer:

The information provided in this blog is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For medical advice, please consult a medical professional.