Kidney in Danger: Don't ignore these Warning Signs

The warning signs of kidney problems are displayed by the body, we however fail to recognize them. Kidney problems are serious issues that one has to face in modern life. The lifestyle we lead today causes several problems of which kidney issues are one. In most cases, people don't look out for the symptoms and the disease is discovered at the last stages. It can be fatal if one is diagnosed with end stage renal disease.

Kidney Problem Symptoms

Kidney problem symptoms are not hard to notice if one is fully aware of them. In order to make people more aware of the kidney problems before it reaches an advanced stage we are going to talk about the various symptoms that can help one realize beforehand if they have kidney problems.

Some of the Symptoms Observed Are:

1. Swelling:

Swelling is one of the warning signs of kidney disease. When the kidneys don't function properly, an exterior sign is the swelling in the body.

The excess fluid which the kidney can't remove from the body gets deposited and we observe swelling of the hands, feet, ankles and face. Though swelling can be caused by other disease too, but kidney problems are primary causes of sudden swelling.

If you suddenly notice that your hands or feet or ankle feels bloated and swollen it might be due to your kidney failing. It is advisable that you immediately get a checkup once you notice these swellings.

2. Urination Changes:

The warning signs of kidney problem are most starkly observed through your urination. Kidney is the primary organ responsible for your urine. If some changes are noticed by you in your urination, it might be an indication of a failed kidney or kidney problem.

The changes in urination that are indicative of a failed kidney can be many. You can have difficulty in urination or feel a sort of pressure in your bladder while you are urinating.

If the amount of urine reduces than the normal amount, that can also signal kidney problem. You can try by drinking more water and if your urine is still less and infrequent, you should definitely consult a doctor.

Darker colored urine is a sign of kidney failure. You must observe the color of your urine carefully to notice symptoms of kidney problems. An alternate situation can also happen where the urine is too frequent and very pale in color. If you feel that you are urinating more than usual, it can be one of the warning signs of kidney disease.

If the urine is frothy or foamy or if you have to urinate a lot at midnight, chances are that you are experiencing some kidney problem. Consult a doctor before it is too late.

3. Skin Rash:

The job of the kidney is to remove the waste from the body. If wastes remain in the body, there can be occurrence of skin allergies. One of the warning signs of kidney problem is skin allergy. You can get rashes or have patchy dry skin.

Your skin will feel itchy and irritated all the time due to the waste getting accumulated in the body. Exterior application of creams might soothe the problems on the surface but the kidney problem should be diagnosed and taken care of immediately.

4. Fatigue:

Fatigue can be one of the kidney disease symptoms. Normal functioning of kidneys, lead to the release of a hormone known as EPO. The hormone is responsible for helping the red blood cells of the body carry oxygen throughout the body.

If kidneys don’t function properly, the particular hormone is not produced by the body. Thus the red blood cells can't effectively carry oxygen in the blood stream. Less oxygen in the body equals to less energy supplied.

The brain doesn't get the right amount of oxygen and becomes fatigued. This leads to general fatigue felt in the body. Feeling tired is one of the sign of kidney problem.

5. Appetite Change:

It has been observed that as kidneys stop functioning properly, a person’s appetite is greatly affected by it. As I said earlier, dysfunctional kidneys lead to waste accumulation in the body.

As waste accumulates the normal body function, especially the digestive system is hampered. One of the warning signs of kidney disease is that one loses the desire to eat. They have this metallic taste in the mouth and revulsion towards food.

Kidney is one of the major organs of the body. It is essential that it be kept in proper shape. When you notice any of these signs of kidney problem, you can visit Dr. P.S. Mukherjee who is one of the best Critical Care Specialists in Kolkata.