Renal Disease Symptoms: 10 Signs Your Kidneys Might Be Trying to Tell You Something

When the kidneys do not function properly, toxins accumulate in the body, which can cause various health problems. There are many types of kidney disease, and in some cases there are no symptoms in the early stages. Therefore, it is important that we recognize the symptoms of kidney disease so that timely testing can be done and appropriate treatment can be taken.

Common Symptoms of Renal Disease

Many symptoms of kidney disease can be subtle before they become serious. Still, there are some signs you should pay attention to:

• Changes in Urination Habits:
• Frequent urination, especially at night
• Difficulty or burning sensation while urinating
• Change in urine color, such as dark brown, red, or pink
• Foamy urine
• Abnormal decrease or increase in urine output

Fatigue and Weakness

Kidneys help in the production of red blood cells, which work to deliver oxygen to the body. Kidney disease may reduce the production of red blood cells, causing fatigue and weakness.

Swelling

Kidneys help remove excess fluid from the body. When the kidneys do not function properly, excess fluid can accumulate in the body, usually resulting in swelling of the arms, legs or face.

Loss of Appetite and Weight Loss

Kidneys help in absorbing nutrients from food. The taste of food can change in kidney disease, which can lead to loss of appetite and weight loss.

Trouble Sleeping

Sleep may be disrupted at night due to frequent urination. Additionally, other problems associated with kidney disease, such as restlessness or difficulty breathing, can also disrupt sleep.

Dry, Itchy Skin

Kidneys produce hormones needed to maintain healthy skin. In kidney disease, the skin can become dry, itchy and dry.

Headache and Difficulty Breathing

In severe kidney disease, toxins can accumulate in the body, which can cause problems like headache and difficulty in breathing.

Types of Renal Disease

Kidney disease can take many forms, some of which are:

• Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

This is a slowly progressive disease in which kidney function decreases over time. CKD can have many causes, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and polycystic kidney disease (fluid-filled sacs forming in the kidneys). There may be no symptoms in the early stages of CKD, but later the common symptoms mentioned above may appear.

• Acute Kidney Failure (AKI)

This is a sudden condition in which the kidneys stop working within a few hours or days. AKI can have many causes, such as severe infection, bleeding, or taking certain medications. Symptoms of AKI include sudden decrease in urination, fatigue, and swelling in the body.

• Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

This is a common infection that can affect any part of the urinary tract, including the urethra, bladder, or kidneys. Symptoms of UTI include burning sensation when urinating, frequent urination, foul smelling urine, and pain in the lower abdomen. Although UTI is usually not serious, if left untreated it can reach the kidneys and cause serious complications.

• Glomerulonephritis

This is a condition of inflammation in the small blood vessels (glomerulus) of the kidney. Glomerulonephritis can be caused by a number of factors, including infection, autoimmune disease (the body’s immune system attacking its own healthy tissue), and certain medications. Its symptoms may include blood or protein in the urine, high blood pressure, and swelling in the body.

• Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)

This is a genetic disease in which many fluid-filled sacs form in the kidneys. These sacs grow slowly and can reduce kidney function. No symptoms may be seen in the early stages of PKD, but later the common symptoms mentioned above may appear. Also, pain in the lower back is also a common symptom.

Diagnosis of Renal Disease

If you notice any symptoms of kidney disease, it is important to get checked by a doctor. The doctor will ask you about your medical history and symptoms and perform a physical examination. Apart from this, blood tests and urine tests can also be done to ascertain kidney function. In some cases, imaging tests, such as ultrasound or CT scan, may be necessary to examine the structure of the kidneys.

Treatment of Renal Disease

Treatment of kidney disease depends on its type and severity. In some cases, lifestyle changes, such as adopting a healthy diet, exercising, and quitting smoking, can help maintain kidney function. In other cases, medications may be needed, such as:

• Blood Pressure Control Medications: High blood pressure can damage the kidneys, so medicines can be given to control blood pressure.
• Diabetes Control Medications: Diabetes can also damage the kidneys, so medications may be given to control blood sugar levels.
• Antibiotics: Antibiotics may be used to treat infections such as urinary tract infections.
• Anemia Medication: Kidneys help in the production of red blood cells, so kidney disease can cause anemia. Medicines can be given to treat anemia.
• Dialysis: In some severe kidney diseases, when the kidneys stop working completely, dialysis is required. Dialysis is a process that removes waste products from the body. Dialysis can be done in two ways – hemodialysis (blood dialysis) or peritoneal dialysis (dialysis through the abdominal membrane).
• Kidney Transplant: In some cases, kidney transplant may be an option. In kidney transplantation, a kidney obtained from a healthy person is transplanted into the patient’s body.

Prevention of Renal Disease

Many cases of kidney disease can be prevented or the risk of their severity can be reduced. You can keep your kidneys healthy by adopting a healthy lifestyle:

• Eat a healthy diet: Reduce salt intake and eat a balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Limit protein and phosphorus intake, especially if you already have kidney disease.
• Get regular exercise: Regular physical activity helps control blood pressure and maintain a healthy weight, which is important for kidney health.
• Maintain a healthy weight: Excess weight puts additional stress on the body, including the kidneys.
• Don’t smoke: Smoking can increase blood pressure and weaken kidney function.
• Control diabetes and high blood pressure: Diabetes and high blood pressure can damage the kidneys, so it is important to control these diseases.
• Drink adequate amount of water: Drinking water keeps the body hydrated and helps the kidneys to remove waste products.
• Get checked by a doctor regularly: If you are at risk of kidney disease or notice any symptoms, get checked by a doctor regularly.

And Finally

Taking care of your kidneys is very important for your overall health. By adopting a healthy lifestyle and following doctor’s advice, you can reduce the risk of kidney disease and live a healthy life.

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