The kidneys filter impurities from the blood and dispose of them in the
urine. They are also important in maintaining electrolyte balance in
the blood. Even in healthy people, aging gradually decreases the
efficiency of kidney function. Kidney failure is often a result of years
of poorly controlled high blood pressure and diabetes.
Experts posit that symptoms of kidney failure are due to the build-up of waste products in the body that may cause weakness,
shortness of breath, lethargy, and confusion. Inability to remove potassium from the bloodstream may lead to abnormal heart rhythms and sudden death. Initially kidney failure may cause no symptoms.
While many people who have chronic kidney disease don’t know it because the early signs can be very subtle, it can take many years to go from chronic kidney disease (CKD) to kidney failure. Most people with CKD live out their lives without ever reaching kidney failure. People with stage 3 CKD have about an 80% chance of never having their kidneys fail.
The only way to know the cause of YOUR symptoms is to see your doctor. Here are the symptoms of kidney disease you need to know:
#1 Changes in Urination
Kidneys make urine, so when the kidneys are failing, the urine may change. How?
You may have to get up at night to urinate.
Urine may be foamy or bubbly.
You may urinate more often, or in greater amounts than usual, with pale urine.
You may urinate less often, or in smaller amounts than usual, with dark-coloured urine.
Your urine may contain blood.
You may feel pressure or have difficulty urinating.
#2: Swelling
Failing kidneys don’t remove extra fluid, which builds up in your body causing swelling in the legs, ankles, feet, face, and/or hands.
#3: Skin Rash, Itching
Kidneys remove wastes from the bloodstream. When the kidneys fail, the build-up of wastes in your blood can cause severe itching.
#4: Fatigue
Healthy kidneys make a hormone called erythropoietin or EPO, that tells your body to make oxygen-carrying red blood cells. As the kidneys fail, they make less EPO. With fewer red blood cells to carry oxygen, your muscles and brain tire very quickly. This is anemia, and it can be treated.
#5: Metallic Taste in Mouth, Ammonia Breath
A build-up of wastes in the blood (called uremia) can make food taste different and cause bad breath. You may also notice that you stop liking to eat meat, or that you are losing weight because you just don’t feel like eating.
#6: Nausea and Vomiting
A severe build-up of wastes in the blood (uremia) can also cause nausea and vomiting. Loss of appetite can lead to weight loss.
#7: Shortness of Breath
Trouble catching your breath can be related to the kidneys in two ways. First, extra fluid in the body can build up in the lungs. And second, anaemia (a shortage of oxygen-carrying red blood cells) can leave your body oxygen-starved and short of breath.
#8: Feeling Cold
Anaemia can make you feel cold all the time, even in a warm room.
#9: Dizziness and Trouble Concentrating
Anaemia related to kidney failure means that your brain is not getting enough oxygen. This can lead to memory problems, trouble with concentration, and dizziness
Source: Tunde Oguntola
Experts posit that symptoms of kidney failure are due to the build-up of waste products in the body that may cause weakness,
shortness of breath, lethargy, and confusion. Inability to remove potassium from the bloodstream may lead to abnormal heart rhythms and sudden death. Initially kidney failure may cause no symptoms.
While many people who have chronic kidney disease don’t know it because the early signs can be very subtle, it can take many years to go from chronic kidney disease (CKD) to kidney failure. Most people with CKD live out their lives without ever reaching kidney failure. People with stage 3 CKD have about an 80% chance of never having their kidneys fail.
The only way to know the cause of YOUR symptoms is to see your doctor. Here are the symptoms of kidney disease you need to know:
#1 Changes in Urination
Kidneys make urine, so when the kidneys are failing, the urine may change. How?
You may have to get up at night to urinate.
Urine may be foamy or bubbly.
You may urinate more often, or in greater amounts than usual, with pale urine.
You may urinate less often, or in smaller amounts than usual, with dark-coloured urine.
Your urine may contain blood.
You may feel pressure or have difficulty urinating.
#2: Swelling
Failing kidneys don’t remove extra fluid, which builds up in your body causing swelling in the legs, ankles, feet, face, and/or hands.
#3: Skin Rash, Itching
Kidneys remove wastes from the bloodstream. When the kidneys fail, the build-up of wastes in your blood can cause severe itching.
#4: Fatigue
Healthy kidneys make a hormone called erythropoietin or EPO, that tells your body to make oxygen-carrying red blood cells. As the kidneys fail, they make less EPO. With fewer red blood cells to carry oxygen, your muscles and brain tire very quickly. This is anemia, and it can be treated.
#5: Metallic Taste in Mouth, Ammonia Breath
A build-up of wastes in the blood (called uremia) can make food taste different and cause bad breath. You may also notice that you stop liking to eat meat, or that you are losing weight because you just don’t feel like eating.
#6: Nausea and Vomiting
A severe build-up of wastes in the blood (uremia) can also cause nausea and vomiting. Loss of appetite can lead to weight loss.
#7: Shortness of Breath
Trouble catching your breath can be related to the kidneys in two ways. First, extra fluid in the body can build up in the lungs. And second, anaemia (a shortage of oxygen-carrying red blood cells) can leave your body oxygen-starved and short of breath.
#8: Feeling Cold
Anaemia can make you feel cold all the time, even in a warm room.
#9: Dizziness and Trouble Concentrating
Anaemia related to kidney failure means that your brain is not getting enough oxygen. This can lead to memory problems, trouble with concentration, and dizziness
Source: Tunde Oguntola
