Symptoms of Kidney Disease

It is altogether possible for an individual to have kidney disease, symptoms practically nonexistent, and not even know it.  In the beginning stages of the disease, the signs may be so slight that they are either not felt or disregarded as something insignificant.  While many people can have kidney disease without it ever becoming a life threatening condition such as kidney failure, knowing the signs and symptoms before it has the chance to advance can keep it in check.

The kidneys are major organs, located underneath the rib cage of the middle back.  They are about the size of a clenched fist, and shaped like kidney beans.  The function of the kidney is to filter the blood using its internal structure called nephrons and glomerulus, removing waste products and water.  The water, or urine as it now becomes, passes through to the bladder where it is stored until eliminated through urination.  The kidneys also regulate the body’s balance of potassium, salt and acid.

Sometimes the nephrons within the kidneys can become damaged.  Frequently, the cause of the damage is unknown.  It is known that high blood pressure and diabetes are often precursors of kidney disease, so controlling these diseases is often believed to be beneficial in avoiding issues with the kidneys.

Kidney disease can lead to kidney failure, although it does not occur quickly in most cases if at all.  Having information on the signs and symptoms of kidney disease can alert people to even the most subtle of the signals to enable treatment to begin early.  Doctors will run blood tests and urine tests to determine whether or not it is kidney disease symptoms are resulting from.

Urination changes

Even when there are issues within the kidneys, urine is still being processed.  However, there are usually changes in the urine that are noticeably different.  They can include:

●Blood in the urine

●Foaming of urine

●Urination may occur more frequently

●Urination may occur much less frequently

●There may be a feeling of pressure when urinating, with little elimination

Changes in the urine are often the first symptoms noticed.

Swelling

One of the functions that the kidneys perform when operating efficiently is to remove excess water from the blood.  When this function is not performed, another of the kidney disease symptoms develops; swelling of skin tissues.  The fluid remains in the system, creating puffiness and swelling of legs, arms, ankles, face and hands.  Swelling may occur in one or more of the areas.

Fatigue

As the main filtering system of the blood, the kidneys produce a hormone called erythropoietin.  This hormone alerts the body that red blood cells, transporters of oxygen, are needed.  In cases when kidneys do not function properly, this hormone is not produced.  As result, fewer red blood cells are created, less oxygen is carried through the blood and muscles tire easily.  This treatable condition is called anemia.  Anemia causes individuals to feel extreme fatigue with the slightest amount of exertion.

Itching / skin rash

Removing waste products from the bloodstream is the major function of the kidneys.  When these waste products accumulate in the blood as a result of kidney function failure, excessively dry skin develops a severe itchiness.  Rashes can develop when scratching becomes incessant.

Metallic taste in mouth

This is yet another of the kidney disease symptoms that is caused by the buildup of toxins in the blood.  A constant foul taste in the mouth, bad breath, lack of appetite and a change in the taste of foods will develop.  Some people have reported that they experienced a lack of desire for eating meat.  All of these will likely lead to weight loss since people don’t feel like eating.

Mark Andrew Wilson

Author & Editor

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