The Common and Uncommon Kidney Disease Symptoms You Should Know
Your kidneys are two small organs located in the abdomen that play a crucial role in your body’s functioning. They filter your blood by removing harmful waste and extra water, thus regulating your blood pressure, electrolytes, and red blood cell production. Therefore, any disease or damage to the kidneys can lead to severe health complications, including kidney failure. In this article, we’ll explore the common and uncommon kidney disease symptoms you should know.
Common Kidney Disease Symptoms
1. Fatigue: Feeling tired even after getting enough rest can be a symptom of kidney disease. Damaged kidneys produce less erythropoietin, a hormone that helps in producing red blood cells. Therefore, less red blood cells mean less oxygen in your body, resulting in fatigue and weakness.
2. Swelling: If you experience swelling in your face, hands, legs, and feet frequently, it could be an indication of kidney disease. Damaged kidneys cannot remove extra fluid from your body, leading to swelling in the mentioned areas.
3. Urine Changes: Changes in the frequency, color, and smell of your urine can also be a sign of kidney disease. Foamy urine, blood in urine, pain while urinating, and increased or decreased urine output can indicate problems in your kidneys.
4. High Blood Pressure: High blood pressure can cause kidney problems, and conversely, kidney disease can cause high blood pressure. Therefore, if you have untreated high blood pressure, it can lead to decreased kidney function.
5. Bad Breath: Kidney disease can cause bad breath that smells like ammonia or metallic in your mouth. This happens when your kidneys can’t filter out waste products efficiently.
Uncommon Kidney Disease Symptoms
1. Numbness or Tingling: Kidney disease can also cause numbness or tingling in your hands and feet due to nerve damage.
2. Rashes: Chronic kidney disease can cause rashes, itching, and dry skin, as your kidneys can’t remove the extra phosphorus in your blood.
3. Digestive Problems: Digestive issues like nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite can also be a symptom of kidney disease. These occur because damaged kidneys can’t regulate a hormone called erythropoietin, which stimulates your bone marrow to produce red blood cells.
4. Sleep Problems: Kidney disease can cause sleep problems like sleep apnea due to changes in breathing patterns.
In conclusion, kidney disease symptoms can vary from person to person, and some may not even experience any symptoms in the early stages. Hence, it’s crucial to know the common and uncommon symptoms to detect kidney disease earlier and get timely treatment. If you experience any of the mentioned symptoms, it’s best to consult your healthcare provider immediately.
