Kidney disease can develop slowly and early symptoms are not always obvious. For many people, kidney disease does not cause any or many obvious symptoms. This is why it can be important to watch for changes in your health and to have regular medical check-ups, especially if you have conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure or a history of kidney problems.
Early Signs Of Kidney Trouble Are Difficult To Detect
The kidneys filter waste and extra fluid from the blood. They help keep the body’s fluid balance, mineral balance, and blood pressure in balance. When the kidneys start to fail the body can still work normally for some time. Symptoms may only become more apparent as kidney function declines further.
Early Signs Of Kidney Function Decline
Urination Changes
Sometimes early warning signs of change in urination can be a warning. You may need to urinate more or less often, especially at nite. Urine may also be unusually foamy, darker than normal, or contain blood. But these changes may have many causes and are not necessarily a sign of kidney disease.
Fluid Retention Or Swelling
You may notice swelling in the feet, ankles, legs, hands or around the face and eyes if the kidneys have difficulty removing excess fluid and sodium. If you have persistent or unexplained swelling, consult a health care professional.
Fatigue And Weakness
When your kidneys start to fail, you might feel tired all the time, weak, or less energetic. Kidney disease can interfere with the body’s ability to keep blood chemistry normal and may also, in some cases, lead to anemia. There are many causes of persistent tiredness, and it does not have to be kidney disease.
Changes In Appetite Or Digestion
As kidney function becomes severely impaired, some people may experience a decreased appetite, nausea, or an unpleasant taste in the mouth. However, many other health conditions can cause these symptoms, and medical assessment is needed to find the underlying cause.
Changes In Skin, Sleep And Muscle
Sometimes a decrease in kidney function can be associated with itchy or dry skin, muscle cramps, trouble sleeping or trouble concentrating. Other people may also have headaches or problems with their usual daily activities. These symptoms are not specific to kidney disease, but they can be important if they occur with other changes.
How Is Kidney Function Tested?
They may do blood tests and urine tests to see how well the kidney is working. Measurement of blood pressure is also important because high blood pressure can be both a cause and an effect of kidney problems. Depending on the person’s symptoms and medical history, the doctor may also recommend other investigations, such as imaging or other tests.
When To See A Doctor
If you have changes in urination that don’t go away, unexplained swelling, ongoing weakness, blood in your urine, or repeated changes in blood pressure, get a medical evaluation instead of trying to figure out what’s wrong yourself. Timely assessment can identify potential kidney problems and other conditions that may need treatment. If you need a specialist evaluation, selecting a qualified nephrologist at a nephrology hospital in indore can help ensure that concerning symptoms are evaluated appropriately.
FAQs
1. Kidney disease is often asymptomatic.
Yes. Early kidney disease often has few or no symptoms. Sometimes routine tests can spot a problem with your kidneys before you have symptoms.
2. Does foamy urine always indicate kidney disease?
No. There are a lot of reasons for temporary foamy urine. Tell your doctor if you notice any changes in your urine that continue or are unusual.
3. Does high blood pressure affect the function of the kidney?
Yes. Long-term high blood pressure can damage blood vessels in the kidneys and cause a decline in kidney function.
4. Does swollen feet always mean kidney problems?
No. There are many causes of swelling including problems with the heart, liver, circulation or medications. Your health care professional can help determine the cause.
5. What tests are done to check kidney function?
Your doctor will often check your blood pressure and do blood and urine tests. Additional tests may be recommended based on symptoms and personal medical history.