Recognizing the Early Signs of Kidney Problems and When to Seek Medical Advice - Dr Deepashree G A

Approximately 850 million people are affected by chronic kidney disease (CKD) globally. People of every age and race are affected, and most don’t know it. While there are numerous physical signs of renal disease, they are sometimes mistaken for symptoms of other illnesses.

Furthermore, people with kidney disease typically do not exhibit any symptoms until the very end, either when their kidneys are failing or when their urine contains a significant amount of protein. This contributes to the fact that only 10% of patients with chronic renal disease are aware of their condition.

In India, CKD affects nearly 800 people out of every one million individuals, with ESRD rates varying between 150 and 200 per million population. About one out of ten Indians has Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), and more than a hundred thousand cases of kidney failure are reported annually.

Based on global statistics, kidney disease is the sixth fastest-growing cause of death, leading to an estimated 1.7 million deaths as a result of acute kidney injury globally. Over 7.8 million people in India suffer from some form of chronic kidney problems.

If you have high blood pressure, diabetes, a family history of kidney failure, or are over 60, you should get annual kidney disease testing. Additionally, look for early signs of kidney problems and inform your healthcare provider of any symptoms you are experiencing.

When To See A Doctor

1. You feel the need to Urinate more Often

Frequent urination, particularly at night, may indicate a renal problem. Damage to the kidney's filters can increase the need to urinate. In some cases, this symptom can indicate an enlarged prostate in men or a urinary tract infection.

2. You see Blood in your Urine

When the kidneys work properly, blood cells remain within the body to filter wastes from the blood and produce urine. However, if the kidney's filters fail, blood cells may begin to "leak" into urine. Blood in the urine can indicate renal disease, tumours, kidney stones, infections, and kidney disease.

3. Your Urine is Foamy

If you notice a lot of bubbles in your urine, especially if they stick around after several flushes, it could mean there's protein in there. This foam may resemble the froth produced when scrambling eggs, as albumin, the primary protein found in urine, is similar to the protein found in eggs.

4. You're noticing Persistent Swelling around your Eyes

The presence of protein in the urine is an early indicator of kidney filter damage, which permits protein leakage into the urine. Swelling around the eyes may occur because the kidneys expel a significant amount of protein instead of retaining it in the body.

5. Your Ankles and Feet are Swollen

Ankle and foot swelling may result from salt retention brought on by reduced renal function. Additionally, chronic leg vein issues, liver illness, and heart disease can all be indicated by swelling in the lower legs.

6. You have high Blood Pressure

The kidneys regulate blood pressure by secreting hormones constricting blood vessels and maintaining fluid balance.

Therefore, hypertension (high blood pressure) can occur when the kidneys are damaged, and especially young people should rule out all secondary causes of high blood pressure and should always have a meticulous follow-up

7. You are suffering from Shortness of Breath

Kidney disease can cause fluid buildup in the lungs, resulting in breathing difficulties or shortness of breath.

8. You’re More Tired, have less Energy or are having Trouble Concentrating.

A significant decline in kidney function can result in the accumulation of toxins and impurities in the bloodstream. This buildup can manifest as fatigue, weakness, and difficulty concentrating. Anaemia, another complication of kidney disease, can further contribute to feelings of weakness and fatigue.

9. You’re having Trouble Sleeping

When kidney function is compromised, and filtration is inadequate, toxins remain in the bloodstream instead of being eliminated from the body through urine. This can make it difficult to sleep.

Furthermore, there is a correlation between obesity and chronic kidney disease, and individuals with chronic kidney disease are more prone to experiencing sleep apnea than the general population.

10. You have Dry and Itchy Skin

Healthy kidneys do many important jobs. They work to retain the proper balance of minerals in your blood, eliminate waste and excess fluid from your body, aid in producing red blood cells, and support healthy bones. The kidneys' inability to maintain this balance can result in mineral and bone disease, which is frequently associated with severe renal disease and manifested as dry and itchy skin.

11. You have a Poor Appetite

While this symptom is nonspecific, it could be attributed to the accumulation of toxins stemming from diminished kidney function.

12. Your Muscles are Cramping

Electrolyte imbalances can result from impaired kidney function. Muscle cramping, for example, could be caused by poor phosphorus regulation and low calcium levels.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are of the author and not of Medical Dialogues. The Editorial/Content team of Medical Dialogues has not contributed to the writing/editing/packaging of this article.