Most people do not experience symptoms of kidney disease in the early stages of the disease. This is one of the reasons why in spite of the 10% population worldwide suffering from kidney disease, 90% of them are not aware that they have it. But, as the disease progresses, the kidney starts failing, and that’s when the kidney disease symptoms begin to show up.
Getting tested is the only way to be sure if you have kidney disease. KIDPRO is a combination of blood tests conducted to determine the health of your kidneys. It checks how efficient your kidneys are in filtering fluids and excreting waste.
Kidney disease, also known as chronic kidney disease (CKD) means the kidneys are damaged and are losing their ability to filter your blood and keep you healthy. Here, we’ll share kidney disease symptoms, which are possible signs that you may have kidney disease.
Symptoms Of Kidney Disease: Know the Possible Signs
1. Fatigue
When your kidneys do not function properly, the toxins build up, making you feel tired and weak all the time.
2. Muscle Cramps
Cramps in your legs are caused due to an imbalance in the levels of calcium, sodium, potassium, or other electrolytes that can interrupt the functioning of your muscles and nerves.
3. Breathlessness
Healthy kidneys make a hormone called erythropoietin that stimulates the body to create oxygen-carrying red blood cells (RBCs). When your kidneys’ functions are disrupted, fewer RBCs are formed and less oxygen is carried to your muscles and brains, making you feel breathless.
4. Foamy or Bubbly Urine
Kidneys make urine, so when the kidneys are failing, there’s too much protein called albumin that makes the urine brownish, pale, and foamy.
5. Trouble Thinking Clearly
When the waste is not filtered, the toxins in the body affect the brain. Also, anemia may prevent oxygen from reaching your brain, thus making you feel confused about simple tasks.
6. Itchiness
Toxins in your body can cause a rash or make you itch all over. Also, an imbalance in minerals and nutrients can make your skin dry and itchy.
7. Swelling in Hands or Feet
Since kidneys fail to flush out sodium, the build-up can cause swelling in the feet or hands.
8. Loss of Appetite
Kidney disease can upset your stomach, and cause vomiting or nausea. This decreases your appetite for food, leading to weight loss.
9. Ammonia Breath
When your kidneys fail to filter wastes, it causes uremia, which makes your mouth smell. Additionally, toxins in your blood can make your food have a metallic taste.
If you’re at risk for kidney disease due to diabetes, high blood pressure, family history or if you’re older than age 60, you have to get an annual test done to rule out kidney disease. If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms of kidney disease, discuss them with your doctor.
