Fatigue, swelling and changes in urination can be among the body's early signals of kidney problems. Because kidney disease can develop quietly, some warning signs may easily be mistaken for something else, reports Times of India.
The disease can develop silently
Kidney disease can progress for years without causing obvious symptoms. By the time something feels wrong, the condition may already be advanced. Early signs can also appear elsewhere in the body and seem completely unrelated to the kidneys.
Persistent fatigue can be a warning sign
Unusual tiredness and weakness can occur when kidney function declines. This may be linked to anaemia and a build-up of waste products in the blood.
Watch out for swelling
If the kidneys are no longer able to remove fluid and sodium effectively, excess fluid can accumulate in the body. This can cause swelling in the legs, feet and around the eyes.
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Urination habits can change
Kidney problems can lead to changes in the amount of urine produced. Some people may urinate more frequently or produce more urine than before, while others may notice a decrease.
Foamy urine can be a sign
Persistent foam in the urine can indicate that protein is being passed into the urine. This can happen when the kidneys' filtering function has been affected.
Blood in the urine should be noticed
Blood in the urine is another possible early sign of kidney problems. It is therefore a change that should not be overlooked.
Itching and dry skin can be linked to the kidneys
Persistent itching and dry skin can occur when kidney function is impaired. However, these symptoms can also have other causes.
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Nausea and loss of appetite can occur
Poor kidney function can be accompanied by nausea and a reduced appetite. These are symptoms that many people would not immediately associate with their kidneys.
Concentration can be affected
Difficulty concentrating is another possible sign associated with poor kidney function. Like the other symptoms, however, it can have several different causes.
Blood pressure and the kidneys affect each other
High blood pressure can damage the kidneys, while kidney damage can also contribute to rising blood pressure. The two problems can therefore aggravate each other over time.
Blood and urine tests can reveal early problems
Creatinine and eGFR measurements can help assess how effectively the kidneys are filtering the blood. A UACR test can also detect albumin in the urine, which may indicate kidney damage even when eGFR remains normal.
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Some people should be particularly aware
People with diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease, as well as those with a family history of kidney disease, should speak to their doctor about screening. The symptoms alone do not prove that someone has kidney disease, but several signs occurring together may warrant medical assessment.
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This article is made and published by Mie Hermansen, who may have used AI in the preparation.