{"id":985,"date":"2017-07-17T03:07:51","date_gmt":"2017-07-17T03:07:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=985"},"modified":"2021-05-13T16:46:28","modified_gmt":"2021-05-13T16:46:28","slug":"16-symptoms-kidney-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/16-symptoms-kidney-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"16 Symptoms of Kidney Disease"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"The kidneys are highly important organs that serve crucial functions in the body. Most of us know that our kidneys are responsible for filtering the blood and for producing urine. They help to remove toxic chemicals and other substances that we don\u2019t need and they are responsible for producing a number of important hormones as well that regulate our metabolism and our moods.<\/p>\n

A quick rundown of the roles of the kidneys should include:<\/p>\n

– Waste excretion
\n– Water level balancing
\n– Regulation of blood pressure
\n– Regulation of blood cells
\n– Acid regulation
\n– Hormone production<\/p>\n

If you enjoy reading about health online, then you\u2019ll probably come across the word \u2018detox\u2019 an awful lot. Truth is, scientists aren\u2019t a big fan of this word because it tends to go hand in hand with pseudoscience. Many \u2018detox\u2019 products are ineffectual and vague about what they\u2019re even supposed to do. The reality is that the body already has a detox system that is perfectly enough for the vast majority of situations. That detox system? The kidneys.<\/p>\n

For all these reasons, kidney disease and kidney failure can actually be fatal conditions. The good news is that this isn\u2019t usually the case however, as most people are born with two kidneys and we only need one to survive. Those who lose function of their kidneys might need to accept a kidney from a donor. This is not to be taken lightly though and that\u2019s why it is so important that you look after your kidneys \u2013 by avoiding heavy drinking or drug use that can damage them.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s also highly important is that you learn to look out for the symptoms of kidney disease and that you get treatment as soon as possible if you notice any of the signs that might point to the condition.<\/p>\n

Here are fifteen crucial signs to look out for, which together also perfectly illustrate just how crucial your kidneys are and how many different processes they are involved in.<\/p>\n

1. \u00a0Pain<\/h3>\n

If you have kidney disease, then you might notice pain<\/a> and discomfort located around the back and sides. The kidneys are bean shaped organs that are located against the back muscles in the upper abdominal cavity. They are opposite each other next to the spine and what many people don\u2019t know is that the right kidney actually sits slightly lower in order to make space for the liver.<\/p>\n

While kidney disease won\u2019t always cause pain, in many cases it will. In that case, you might notice discomfort around the back area and it\u2019s important that you get medical attention if you do. For example, this might occur if you have had a urinary tract infection that has travelled into the kidneys.<\/p>\n

\"\"2. \u00a0Fatigue<\/h3>\n

Many different conditions can lead to fatigue<\/a> and so it can be difficult using this to make a diagnosis. However, if you feel unusually tired all of the time then this could very possibly be due to issues with your kidneys. When your kidneys are functioning properly, they will create a hormone called erythropoietin aka EPO.<\/p>\n

This tells the body to create the oxygen carrying red blood cells that are needed to carry energy and nutrients around the body. When this stops, you might start to notice that you feel very tired. Less oxygen to the brain means you might also notice the symptoms of \u2018brain fog\u2019.<\/p>\n

\"\"3. \u00a0Anemia<\/h3>\n

When your kidneys stop producing EPO, this can result in a condition called anemia. Anemia<\/a> is simply a condition where there aren\u2019t enough red blood cells in the body, normally alongside a lack of iron.<\/p>\n

Anemia has a number of different symptoms. For instance, you might appear pale and especially in parts of the body that are usually very red or pink \u2013 such as the fleshy area underneath the lower eyelid, or the skin underneath the nails.<\/p>\n

\"\"4. \u00a0Coldness<\/h3>\n

Some people \u2018run cold\u2019 compared with others and never seem to warm up. This can be due to their metabolism<\/a> or simply what they\u2019re used to, but it might also suggest liver disease.<\/p>\n

This is because the lack of red blood cells mean that you aren\u2019t getting enough energy to heat yourself up with and your circulation will be impaired. Thus you can end up finding it almost impossible to get warmed up.<\/p>\n

\"\"5. \u00a0Shortness of Breath<\/h3>\n

When you don\u2019t have enough EPO, the resultant low red blood cells mean you won\u2019t feel as though you\u2019re getting enough oxygen<\/a> to your brain, muscles and organs.<\/p>\n

The body\u2019s response to this is to make you start breathing faster and more heavily and you might find that you are constantly out of breath as a result. This is the opposite effect of taking additional EPO \u2013 which is how some athletes illegally cheat \u2013 which gives you boundless energy.<\/p>\n

This is also the result of a build-up of unwanted fluid in the body, which can end up affecting the lungs.<\/p>\n

\"\"6. \u00a0Brain Fog<\/h3>\n

That low oxygen doesn\u2019t just affect the muscles and the breathing, it can also impact on the brain and thereby cause symptoms of brain fog<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Simply, the brain is no longer getting enough oxygen and this in turn can make it hard to think, causing memory problems, difficulty concentrating and dizziness when you stand up.<\/p>\n

Note that brain fog is a common symptom of many health complaints however. Whenever the body fights and infection, it does so by producing pro-inflammatory cytokines to encourage inflammation and these can have the effect of causing inflammation in the brain \u2013 and thus brain fog.<\/p>\n

\"\"7. \u00a0Itchiness<\/h3>\n

Because the kidneys are responsible for removing waste from the body, this means that kidney disease can result in many symptoms associated with a build-up of toxins. Itchiness<\/a> is one such symptom of this, as lots of unwanted waste builds up in the blood.<\/p>\n

Many people describe this as an itch that seems to go \u2018deeper than the skin\u2019 and patients say that they felt as though they needed to scratch right into the bone.<\/p>\n

\"\"8. \u00a0Swelling<\/h3>\n

As the kidneys fail to remove unwanted fluid, this can build up in a number of places. We\u2019ve already seen how it can cause shortness of breath as the fluid builds up in the lungs<\/a> and on top of this, it will also often cause the hands, feet, ankles and hands to swell up.<\/p>\n

This is one of the most common and well-known symptoms of kidney disease and many people will be familiar with the link between the conditions.<\/p>\n

\"\"9. \u00a0Puffiness in the Face<\/h3>\n

When the kidneys<\/a> stop removing the extra fluid, this can also cause it to build up in the face.<\/p>\n

This can appear like weight gain and might be easily mistaken for it if it weren\u2019t for the other symptoms such as similar puffiness in the extremities.<\/p>\n

\"\"10. \u00a0Taste Changes<\/h3>\n

Another one of the most common and well-known symptoms of kidney disease, many people will find that their taste changes when they develop kidney disease. Usually, people describe this as tasting metallic. Some patients say it is like \u2018drinking iron\u2019.<\/p>\n

Once again, this is due to a build up of wastes in the blood. These wastes come from your foods and include a number of heavy metals. Not only does this end up affecting your taste directly, but it can also cause changes in your appetite as your body essentially tells you that it no longer needs certain minerals.<\/p>\n

\"\"11. \u00a0Bad Breath<\/h3>\n

Just as these built-up toxins<\/a> can end up affecting your taste, they can also end up affecting the breath. This is described as \u2018ammonia breath\u2019.<\/p>\n

The condition in general of having a build-up of unwanted substances in the body is called \u2018uremia\u2019. The breath and the taste are closely linked.<\/p>\n

\"\"12. \u00a0Nausea<\/h3>\n

As the waste builds up in your system, your body will start to look for other ways to try and clean it out and restore your usual balance. In order to do this, it will likely turn to vomiting and causing discomfort and nausea<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Some people say that they feel almost \u2018itchy\u2019 inside their stomach. You may find that you can\u2019t easily take medications either, as you bring them up quickly.<\/p>\n

Often this nausea, combined with a loss of appetite, will result in weight loss.<\/p>\n

\"\"13. \u00a0Changes in Urination Frequency<\/h3>\n

Seeing as the kidneys are responsible for making urine<\/a>, it only follows that you might see changes to your urination as a result of kidney disease. This is indeed the case and you might find that your habits change in a number of ways.<\/p>\n

For one, you are likely to need the toilet more often. You might also urinate in larger amounts than usual.<\/p>\n

You might feel pressure on the bladder or might feel that you constantly need to go to the toilet. You might not get relief from urination and might feel that you still need to go. Finally, you might not be able to urinate easily at all.<\/p>\n

\"\"14. \u00a0Changes in Urine Color<\/h3>\n

You might find that the color of the urine has changed. Often it will be pale or more transparent as it won\u2019t contain the unwanted waste that the kidneys were attempting to clear out.<\/p>\n

Other times, the urine might be less frequent than usual and appear very dark. In these scenarios, you are having difficulty removing all of the waste from your body and the kidneys are managing to do so only in very small, infrequent amounts. Drink plenty of fluids<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"15. \u00a0Discoloration<\/h3>\n

Finally, the urine might also change its consistency. It may appear foamy or bubbly and in some cases it might contain blood<\/a>.<\/p>\n

It can also appear red, brown or other colors \u2013 though this can also be caused by other things.<\/p>\n

\"\"16. \u00a0Insomnia<\/h3>\n

Insomnia<\/a> is another symptom of kidney disease and can make it difficult to get to sleep. This is partly caused by the many of symptoms which cause discomfort and constant interruptions to your sleep as you get up to use the toilet or be sick. It can also be a result of hormonal changes that alter your sleep and wake schedule.<\/p>\n

If you notice these symptoms then you may be suffering from CKD \u2013 chronic kidney disease. Also be on the look out for erectile dysfunction (men), cramps, UTIs and dehydration.<\/p>\n\r\n

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