In the hectic pace of life, it is important not to forget to listen to our body and interpret the signals it sends us, because early diagnosis increases the chances of healing.
The kidneys filter toxins from the blood, so it is very important for general health that they work properly. When the kidneys are compromised, symptoms may appear that are not strictly specific, but which can lead to serious consequences if the disease is not recognized at an early stage. That's why it would be a good idea to go for an examination if you notice that you have the following symptoms:
Headaches, fatigue and general weakness
Kidneys that are not working well produce less of the hormone erythropoietin, which leads to a decrease in the production of red blood cells and causes fatigue and anemia. If you have a deficiency of this hormone, you will feel tired more often and more intensely and you will suffer from headaches more often.
Anemia
Anemia is often one of the first signs of kidney disease, and the first symptoms of anemia are fatigue, poor concentration and pale skin.
Swollen face, joints and feet
Accumulation of fluid in the body is a clear indication that something is wrong with filtering through the kidneys. Damaged kidneys cannot filter salts properly, which leads to swelling in some parts of the body, such as the joints, feet, hands or face.
Nausea and vomiting
When the kidneys do not expel harmful substances from the body, a feeling of nausea may occur. This is how the body finds ways to expel toxins, "Politika" reports.
Changes in urine
Urine production is one of the main tasks of the kidneys, and any change in the amount or smell of urine can indicate that something is wrong with them.
Among the changes that you can notice with the naked eye are a small amount of urine, traces of blood, painful emptying of the bladder, infrequent urination during the day, but frequent awakening during the night.
Unpleasant taste in the mouth
If your kidneys do not filter and remove toxins, they then accumulate in the body. This can change the taste of food, create a metallic taste in the mouth and cause bad breath.
Sleep problems
If the kidneys are not functioning properly, toxins cannot leave the body through urine and remain in the blood, which can make it difficult to sleep. Symptoms are usually multiple awakenings at night, nightmares, insomnia or slow falling asleep.
Itchy and dry skin
When damaged kidneys fail to maintain the right balance of electrolytes, minerals and nutrients, it can lead to itchy and dry skin.
Short breath
Kidney problems can lead to difficulty breathing due to fluid build-up in the lungs.
Why does kidney disease occur?
The causes of kidney problems can be different. Diabetes, i.e. high level of sugar in the blood, as well as elevated blood pressure, can damage the blood vessels in the kidneys, which makes it difficult for them to function.
Various inflammations of the kidney tissue, such as glomerulonephritis (inflammation of the renal glomeruli, blood vessel complexes in which blood filtration takes place), inflammation of the renal tubules and surrounding tissue, inflammation due to bacterial infection of the kidneys (pyelonephritis) can threaten the function of filtering blood in the kidneys.
Obstruction of the urinary tract, due to an enlarged prostate, kidney stones or tumors, as well as the backflow of urine into the kidney from the bladder, can lead to infection and damage.
Hereditary disorders, such as polycystic kidney disease, characterized by the formation of cysts in the kidneys, can also lead to a reduction or cessation of kidney function.
A high-protein diet can also be harmful to the kidneys, especially in people who already have existing kidney problems or are at risk of developing chronic kidney disease.
Excessive protein consumption can lead to glomerular hyperfiltration, which can strain the kidneys and potentially worsen the existing condition. In healthy individuals, there is no clear evidence that a high-protein diet harms the kidneys, however, in people with diabetes or obesity, a high-protein diet may adversely affect kidney function.
Risk factors such as age, smoking, obesity, long-term dialysis and a family history of kidney tumors can lead to kidney problems, so it is important to see a doctor for further diagnosis and treatment.
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