The kidney is a very vital organ in the body that is saddled with the responsibility of eliminating waste products, removal of excess fluid, balancing minerals and chemicals, controlling blood pressure, etc. The kidney is so vital to our existence hence once it is affected, so many organs in the body will also be affected.
Since the kidney is delicate, it can be affected in diverse ways. So many people living with kidney disease don’t know about it. There are several physical signs of kidney disease, but occasionally people associate them with other conditions. Also, those with kidney disease tend not to suffer symptoms until the very late stages, when the kidneys are declining or when there are large amounts of protein in the urine. We must know the symptoms of kidney disease to seek medical assistance early.
Source; https://www.kidney.org/kidneydisease/howkidneyswrk
There are different signs your body gives you when your kidney is affected. Some of them include;
1. You are more tired, have insufficient energy or having trouble concentrating
When the kidney is affected, toxins and impurities begin to build up in the blood and this can cause people to feel tired, weak and can make it hard to concentrate. Anaemia can also arise in this situation, leading to more weakness in the body.
2. You’re having trouble sleeping
The presence of toxins in the body can make it difficult for people to sleep. When the kidneys are not functioning properly, toxins stay in the blood rather than leaving the body through the urine. This can make it difficult to sleep. Seek medical attention once you begin to observe this.
3. You have dry and itchy skin
When your skin becomes dry and itchy, it’s a sign that your kidneys are affected. Dry and itchy skin can be a sign of the mineral and bone disease that often come with advanced kidney disease when the kidneys are no longer able to keep the right balance of minerals and nutrients in your blood.
4. Frequent urination
Frequent urination especially at night is a sign of kidney disease. When the kidney filters are harmed, it can cause a rise in the urge to urinate. Urinary infection or enlarged prostate in men can also cause this sign.
5. You see blood in your urine
Blood in the urine is not healthy and it’s a sign of an affected kidney. Healthy kidneys help to keep the blood cells in the body when filtering wastes from the blood to create urine, but when the kidney filters have been damaged, these blood cells can start to leak out into the urine.
6. Your urine is foamy
Foamy urine is a sign of protein in the urine. This foam may look like the foam you see when scrambling eggs, as the common protein found in urine, albumin, is the same protein that is found in eggs. Once you begin to experience this sign, it shows your kidney is affected.
7. Persistent puffiness around your eyes
This is another major symptom most people with a damaged kidney suffer. Protein in the urine is an early sign that the kidneys’ filters have been harmed, enabling the protein to leak into the urine. This puffiness around your eyes can be because your kidneys are leaking a large amount of protein in the urine, rather than keeping it in the body. Seek medical attention once you discover it.
8. Your ankles and feet are swollen
This is another crucial sign of a damaged kidney. Diminished kidney function can lead to sodium retention, causing swelling in your feet and ankles. Swelling in the lower part of the body can also be a sign of heart disease, liver disease and chronic leg vein problems. Go for a check-up so you can properly understand what is wrong.
9. You have a poor appetite
Many people suffer the symptom of poor appetite but a buildup of toxins resulting from reduced kidney function can be one of the causes.
Source; https://www.kidney.org/news/ekidney/august14/10_Signs_You_May_Have_Kidney_Disease
Anyone who begins to observe these symptoms should seek medical attention.
