Article by:
Amelia Grant
More than 37 million American adults have kidney disease, and most of them are unaware of it. There are several physical indications of kidney illness, however, they are commonly misattributed to other conditions. Furthermore, persons with renal illness do not usually notice symptoms until the kidneys are failing or there is a lot of protein in the urine. This is one of the reasons that only 10% of persons with chronic renal disease are aware of their condition.
While the only way to tell for sure if you have kidney illness is to get tested, here are 10 possible symptoms. If you have high blood pressure, diabetes, a family history of renal failure, or are above the age of 60, you should be examined for kidney disease yearly. Make sure to tell your nephrologist about any symptoms you're having.
1. Too tired or trouble concentrating.
A significant decline in kidney function can result in the accumulation of toxins and pollutants in the blood. This can make people fatigued and weak, and make it difficult to concentrate. Anemia is another consequence of kidney disease that can induce weakness and weariness.
2. Sleeping problems.
When your kidneys fail to work effectively, toxins remain in the body rather than leaving it through the urine. This can cause sleeping problems. Obesity is also linked to chronic kidney disease, and sleep apnea is more common in persons with chronic kidney disease than in the general population.
3. Dry and itchy skin.
Healthy kidneys perform a variety of critical functions. They remove wastes and excess fluid from your body, assist in the formation of red blood cells, support bone strength, and act to maintain the proper mineral balance in your blood. Dry and itchy skin can be an indication of mineral and bone disease, which frequently occurs alongside advanced renal disease and occurs when the kidneys are no longer able to maintain the proper balance of minerals and nutrients in your blood.
4. Frequent urination.
If you need to urinate more frequently, especially at night, you may have kidney disease. When the kidney filters are compromised, the urge to urinate increases. In men, this might also be an indication of a urinary infection or an enlarged prostate.
5. Blood in urine.
When healthy kidneys filter wastes from the blood to make urine, they normally keep blood cells in the body; but, when the kidney's filters are damaged, these blood cells might begin to "leak" out into the urine. Blood in the urine can indicate malignancies, kidney stones, or an infection, in addition to renal disease.
6. Foamy urine.
Excessive bubbles in the urine, especially those that require multiple flushes before they disappear, suggest protein in the urine. Because the common protein found in urine, albumin, is the same protein found in eggs, this froth may resemble scrambled eggs.
7. Persistent puffiness around your eyes.
Protein in the urine is an early symptom that the kidneys' filters have been compromised, allowing the protein to flow into the urine. This puffiness around your eyes may be caused by your kidneys spilling a significant amount of protein in the urine rather than retaining it in the body.
8. Swollen ankles and feet.
Reduced renal function can cause salt retention, resulting in edema in your feet and ankles. Lower extremity swelling can also be a sign of heart illness, liver disease, or persistent leg vein problems.
9. A poor appetite.
This is a very generic symptom, but one of the explanations could be a buildup of toxins caused by impaired kidney function.
10. Muscle cramping.
Impaired renal function can cause electrolyte abnormalities. Low calcium levels, for example, and poorly managed phosphorus levels may also lead to muscle cramping.