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- KIDNEY CARE, KIDNEY STONES, NEPHROLOGY
Introduction Your kidneys work quietly every day to remove waste and extra fluid from your blood. They also help maintain the body’s fluid and mineral balance and support other important functions. The difficult part is that kidney problems may not always produce obvious symptoms in the beginning. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) can develop gradually, and many people may not know they have it until kidney function has already decreased. Blood and urine tests are often needed to detect kidney disease early. However, as kidney function declines, certain changes may appear in the body. Swelling, changes in urination, foamy urine, tiredness, poor appetite, itching and difficulty concentrating are among the symptoms that can occur, particularly as kidney disease becomes more advanced. Recognizing these changes does not mean you definitely have kidney disease. Many of these symptoms can occur because of other health conditions. But persistent or unexplained changes should not simply be ignored. What Is Chronic Kidney Disease? Chronic Kidney Disease is a long-term condition in which the kidneys are damaged or have structural problems that affect their ability to filter blood properly. Healthy kidneys remove waste and extra fluid from the body through urine. When kidney function decreases, waste products and excess fluid can gradually accumulate. CKD can develop because of different conditions. In adults, diabetes and high blood pressure are among the leading causes, while heart disease and a family history of kidney disease can also increase risk. One important point is that CKD does not always cause symptoms in its early stages. That is why people with risk factors may need regular kidney testing even when they feel healthy. 10 Early Warning Signs That Your Kidneys May Be in Trouble 1. Swelling in Your Feet, Ankles or Face Unexplained swelling can sometimes be associated with kidney problems. When the kidneys are unable to remove enough extra salt and fluid, fluid may accumulate in different parts of the body. This can cause swelling, particularly around the feet, ankles and legs. In some cases, swelling may also occur in the hands or face. Swelling does not automatically mean you have kidney disease. Heart problems, liver disease, certain medications and other conditions can also cause edema. If swelling continues or keeps returning without an obvious reason, speak with a healthcare professional. 2. Changes in How Often You Urinate Changes in your normal urination pattern can sometimes provide a clue that something needs to be checked. You may notice that you are urinating more frequently, especially at night, or that you are passing much less urine than usual. However, changes in urination can have many causes. Diabetes, urinary tract problems, prostate conditions, medications and changes in fluid intake can all affect urination. Persistent changes should therefore be evaluated rather than automatically being attributed to kidney disease. 3. Foamy or Frothy Urine Have you noticed that your urine looks unusually foamy on a regular basis? Persistent foamy urine can sometimes be associated with protein or albumin in the urine. Healthy kidneys normally prevent significant amounts of albumin from passing from the blood into urine. When the kidney’s filtering structures are damaged, albumin can leak into the urine. Albumin in the urine, known as albuminuria, can be an important marker of kidney damage. A urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio, or UACR, is commonly used to evaluate urine albumin. 4. Unusual or Persistent Tiredness Feeling tired after a busy day or inadequate sleep is normal. But persistent fatigue without an obvious explanation deserves attention. As kidney disease progresses, complications such as anemia can occur. The buildup of waste products and other changes associated with reduced kidney function may also contribute to feeling weak or unwell. If you constantly feel exhausted despite getting enough rest, it is worth discussing the symptom with your doctor. A medical evaluation can determine whether the tiredness is related to kidney function, anemia, thyroid problems, nutritional deficiencies, sleep problems or another condition. 5. Loss of Appetite or Nausea Changes in appetite can occur for many reasons, but persistent loss of appetite or nausea may occur when kidney disease becomes more advanced. As kidney function becomes significantly reduced, waste products can build up in the blood. This may contribute to nausea, vomiting or reduced appetite. These symptoms should not automatically be considered signs of kidney disease because stomach problems, infections, medications and other medical conditions can cause them as well. If nausea or appetite loss continues, medical evaluation can help identify the underlying cause. 6. Itchy or Very Dry Skin Persistent itching can sometimes occur in people with advanced kidney disease. The kidneys help maintain the body’s balance of minerals and other substances. When kidney function becomes significantly impaired, changes in this balance can contribute to skin-related symptoms, including itching and dryness. If itching continues without an obvious skin condition, especially when combined with swelling, fatigue or changes in urination, talk to a healthcare professional. 7. Muscle Cramps Repeated muscle cramps may have several possible causes, including dehydration, physical activity, certain medications and electrolyte changes. People with advanced kidney disease can also develop problems with fluid and mineral balance that may contribute to muscle cramps. This means occasional muscle cramps do not necessarily indicate kidney disease. However, frequent or unexplained cramps, particularly when accompanied by other symptoms, should be discussed with a doctor. 8. Difficulty Concentrating Have you recently noticed that it is harder to concentrate on work, studies or everyday tasks? Difficulty concentrating can have many causes, including stress, poor sleep, medications and other health conditions. In more advanced Chronic Kidney Disease, changes in the body’s chemical balance and buildup of waste products can contribute to concentration problems. If concentration problems are persistent or occur along with other symptoms, medical evaluation can help determine the cause. 9. Shortness of Breath Shortness of breath can occur for many reasons, including heart and lung conditions. In advanced kidney disease, excess fluid can accumulate in the body and may contribute to breathing difficulties. Kidney disease can also be associated with anemia, which may contribute to
