Kidney disease is a silent killer. As someone who has suffered from it, or knows someone who is suffering from it, can attest, most people don’t discover any symptoms until it’s far too late.
This further adds to the severity of the problem. Who has the education necessary to understand that kidney disease symptoms are not hidden, but they are common enough for them to ignore them?
It’s unfortunate that sometimes the symptoms don’t show up until it’s too late.
Therefore, it is much more important to be aware of and able to identify the signs.
Let’s take a look at the top 12 warning signs of kidney disease.
Urine containing blood
This is a symptom that can’t be ignored and should raise immediate red flags. So, don’t ignore this if you see it.
One of the most obvious signs of kidney disease is the presence of blood in the urine. If this symptom develops, you must see a doctor immediately. Why?
Because there may be a connection between bladder cancer and blood in the urine.
Alterations in urinary routine
Changes in how much and how often you urinate is the earliest indicator of kidney illness. The volume of urine you produce may significantly increase or decrease. Some people also report a change in the color of their urine.
Also, you may have a strong need to urinate yet find that you are unable to relieve yourself once you get to the restroom.
If you notice any changes in your urine function, it’s important to start monitoring your frequency of bathroom use.
Having trouble or pain urinating
When you try to urinate, you may experience discomfort, pressure, or even pain. This may indicate that you have a urinary tract infection.
Although easily treated, early diagnosis is key since the infection can spread to the kidneys, causing symptoms such as fever, neck pain, and even kidney damage if left untreated.
Metallic and ammonia smells in the throat
When kidneys fail, the amount of urea in the blood rises. When this happens, the saliva breaks down the urea into ammonia, which gives the person bad breath that smells like urine. This is called ammonia breath.
Vomiting and nausea
Nausea and vomiting are persistent symptoms of kidney failure. This won’t just happen once.
This is something that you will encounter frequently since the accumulation of toxins and wastes must be expelled from the body. Vomiting is the result.
Trouble breathing
If your kidney illness is advanced enough, fluid could collect in your lungs, making it difficult to breathe.
The same is true with anemia, another kidney ailment which deprives the body of oxygen. Keep in mind that experiencing any of these signs is not always indicative of kidney damage.
Urine that foams up
You may be thinking that these symptoms are all related to the bladder.
However, because of the close relationship between the kidneys and bladder, the bladder is the first organ to fail if the kidneys are malfunctioning.
Excessive fatigue
Normally operating kidneys produce the hormone erythropoietin, which stimulates the production of new red blood cells and improves their ability to transport oxygen.
This hormone’s levels plummet when your kidneys fail. Because of the rapid depletion of red blood cells, your body quickly becomes weak and exhausted.
Lightheadedness and Inability to Focus
Deficiencies in oxygen delivery to the kidneys might lead to mental weariness. To top it all off, this could make you feel faint and impair your ability to focus.
The shortage of oxygen causes brain activity to slow down, which is why this happens.
Feeling Cold All the Time
Anemia, which can be brought on by kidney disease, can cause you to feel cold in warm environments.
Edema or Swelling
The kidneys filter out all of the extra fluid and waste from your body. If they stop working, the additional fluid and waste will accumulate within your body.
Swelling of the feet and ankles, as well as puffiness of the cheeks and tightness of the hands, are symptoms of this condition.
Rashy and Itchy Skin
Rashes may be a sign of kidney disease or failure, but they are also a typical indication of other illnesses like allergies.
Kidney failure is the root cause of this condition, as it leads to a buildup of toxins in the blood. It’s because of this that people experience intense itching and rashes.
If you experience any of these signs, it’s important to get checked out by a medical professional. Your kidneys and possibly even your life could be saved by them.
So, if you’re feeling any of these symptoms, don’t hesitate to seek help from a medical professional.
