The most common symptoms experienced by patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) vary depending on the stage of the illness and can range from mild to severe. In the early stages, common CKD symptoms may include fatigue, swelling of the legs, feet and ankles, an increase in urine production, blood in the urine, nausea, vomiting, metallic taste in the mouth, and loss of appetite.
As the disease progresses, additional CKD symptoms can include confusion, small or faulty stomach, chest pain, hypertension, increased skin discoloration, increased itching, dry and itchy skin, changes in taste, yellowish/brownish skin, skin rash, bubble-like fluid retention, shortness of breath, and inability to concentrate, as well as increased muscle cramping and pain.
Additionally, patients may experience complications such as infections due to weakened immune system, nausea, vomiting, weakness, a decrease in mental and physical activities, an increase in cholesterol levels, and cardiac arrhythmic symptoms.
It is important to seek medical attention if any of these symptoms become severe or persistent.
Table of Contents
What are the 3 early warning signs of kidney disease?
The three early warning signs of kidney disease are:
1. Changes in Urination: When the kidneys are damaged, they can no longer efficiently filter waste and extra fluid from the blood. As a result, people may experience changes in the amount and frequency of their urination.
Changes can include an increase in the amount or frequency of urination (especially at night), foamy or dark-colored urine, and/or a decrease in the amount or frequency of urination.
2. Swelling and Fluid-Retention: The inability to properly filter extra fluid and waste from the bloodstream can lead to a range of symptoms known as edema, which occurs when excess fluid accumulates in the body’s tissues.
This fluid can lead to swelling in the ankles, feet, and/or face.
3. Fatigue: Damage to the kidneys can lead to a decrease in the production of red blood cells, which play an important role in transporting oxygen throughout the body. A decrease in red blood cells leads to a condition called anemia, which can cause fatigue, weakness, and pale or yellowish skin.
What is the biggest indicator of kidney disease?
The biggest indicator of kidney disease is changes in kidney function. This can be determined by a variety of tests to measure creatinine, cystatin C, and protein levels in the urine, as well as check acid-base balance.
Common physical symptoms of kidney disease include urine that is dark or has a strong odor, swelling in the feet, ankles, or hands, and other abnormal changes in the body such as weakness, excessive tiredness, or general feeling of being unwell.
Unexplained or recurring pain in the lower back, or in the area of the right or left kidney can also be an indication of kidney disease. Aside from these symptoms and tests, people with a family history of kidney disease may want to get a renal ultrasound to check for abnormalities in the kidneys or urinary tract.
How do you know if you’re starting to have kidney problems?
If you are starting to have kidney problems, you may experience a range of symptoms. These can include fatigue, loss of appetite, swelling in your feet or ankles, itchy skin, a change in the color of your urine, increased frequency of urination, nausea, vomiting and pain in your sides of your back.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to get a full medical evaluation as soon as possible. Your doctor may order tests such as a urinalysis or blood tests to determine if you have any underlying kidney problems.
If you have high levels of protein or blood in your urine, this could indicate early signs of kidney damage. In addition, your doctor may also use imaging tests such as ultrasound or CT scans to look for signs of kidney damage.
What signs will your body give you if your kidney is in danger?
The most common symptom is fatigue. Fatigue is one of the first signs that your kidneys may not be working properly. As your kidney function decreases, you may feel increasingly tired as your body’s waste and waste products begin to accumulate.
You may also experience swelling of the hands, feet, and face which is usually caused by excess fluid build-up in the body. Another common symptom that may indicate a problem with your kidneys is a change in the amount or appearance of your urine.
Changes such as dark, yellowy or cloudy urine; the need to urinate frequently; or a decrease in the amount you are able to produce can all be signs of kidney problems. A sudden change in your appetite also can indicate kidney issues – especially if you have lost an appetite or suddenly have an increase in appetite accompanied by weight loss.
Pain or discomfort in your back or side may also be an indication of kidney problems. This is usually due to a build-up of waste products or a possible infection in the kidneys. It is important to seek medical attention and start treatment if any of these warning signs occur.
Your doctor will be able to diagnose the cause and prescribe the necessary treatment to help keep your kidneys healthy and functioning properly.
How do I check if my kidneys are OK?
The most important is to have a kidney function test done. It is often included in regular blood tests and is a way to measure the amount of waste and other substances in your urine. Your doctor may also order other tests, such as an ultrasound or CT scan, to look for any abnormalities or possible problems with your kidneys.
Additionally, it is important to pay attention to signs that may indicate your kidneys are not functioning properly, such as changes in the color of your urine, difficulty urinating or frequent urination, edema, fatigue, or pain in the abdomen or back.
Lastly, it is important to stay healthy by exercising regularly and eating a balanced diet, as well as avoiding risk factors that can lead to kidney damage such as smoking or excessive alcohol consumption.
How can I test my kidney function at home?
Testing your kidney function at home isn’t currently possible, but there are ways to monitor your kidney health. You can have a blood or urine test to check for creatinine, which is a marker for kidney function, as well as other substances in your blood and urine.
Additionally, you can monitor your blood pressure regularly and talk to your healthcare provider about any changes in your symptoms, such as increased tiredness or difficulty concentrating. A diet with reduced salt, fat, and protein can help keep your kidneys healthy and disease-free.
Additionally, keep your body hydrated and practice good hygiene to ward off infection and maintain good overall health.
Can your kidneys repair themselves?
Yes, your kidneys can repair themselves. Studies have shown that the body can naturally regenerate damaged tissue in the kidneys if it’s just a small area that has been damaged. However, for larger areas of damage, kidney transplantation may be necessary.
On a cellular level, the process of kidney regeneration relies on the intrinsic ability of stem cells to divide and differentiate into the types of cells needed for regeneration. In other words, stem cells will naturally divide and become whatever type of cells are necessary to repair the damaged area of the kidney.
This can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to a few months, depending on the severity of the damage.
Various treatments and therapies are also available that can help facilitate the healing process and improve the health of the kidneys, such as dialysis and medications that reduce inflammation or stop the progression of kidney disease.
A healthy lifestyle is recommended to support kidney health and healing, such as eating a nutritious diet and exercising regularly.
Where do you feel kidney pain?
Kidney pain is usually felt in the area between the ribs and hips in the back of the body, known as the flank region. It can also be felt in the stomach or side, depending on the location of the affected kidney.
The pain may be sharp, dull, or cramping in nature, and is usually worse when the patient moves or breathes in deeply. There may also be feelings of nausea and vomiting, as well as difficulty passing urine.
If the pain is accompanied by fever, chills, or the presence of blood in the urine, it is important to seek medical attention to check for possible infection.
What can cause damage to your kidneys?
There are a variety of factors that can cause damage to your kidneys, including long-term health conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure, certain medications, exposure to environmental toxins, and infections.
Over time, high blood sugar and high blood pressure can cause damage to the small blood vessels in the kidneys. This can lead to a decrease in the number of nephrons – the functional units of the kidneys – which can reduce kidney function and over time lead to chronic kidney disease.
Medications that can be harmful to the kidneys include certain pain relievers such as ibuprofen, and antibiotics such as gentamicin. Additionally, exposure to environmental toxins such as heavy metals, some chemotherapy medications, and solvents used in certain occupations pose risks to kidney health.
Finally, certain types of infections, such as a urinary tract infection or a bacterial infection, can also cause damage to the kidneys. It is important to keep your overall health in check and take preventative measures such as avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol intake to reduce the potential of kidney damage.
Can bloodwork detect kidney disease?
Yes, bloodwork can detect kidney disease. The most common tests used are blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine tests. BUN and creatinine are waste products that are normally removed from the body by the kidneys.
If there’s too much of these substances in the blood, it might be a sign of kidney disease. Other blood tests can also detect abnormal levels of electrolytes, proteins, and other nutrient levels in the blood.
In addition, a urinalysis can detect levels of protein, red and white blood cells, and other abnormalities in the urine, which could indicate kidney damage or disease. Imaging tests such as ultrasounds, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computerized tomography (CT) scans can help doctors detect lesions, tumors, blockages, and cysts that could be causing kidney disease.
What foods can repair kidneys?
Foods that can help repair your kidneys include fruits and vegetables such as cranberries, prunes, apples, oranges, blueberries, spinach, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, garlic and onion. Other foods that can help repair kidneys are whole grains, such as brown rice, quinoa, buckwheat and oats.
These are high in fiber and can help reduce inflammation. Eating a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, sardines, fish oil and flaxseed, can also provide many benefits for kidney health.
Eating lean proteins such as chicken, turkey, beans, and pulses can also help support kidney health. Additionally, foods rich in potassium such as avocados, bananas, sweet potatoes and legumes are beneficial for boosting kidney function.
Lastly, herbs and spices such as turmeric, garlic and ginger can help to reduce inflammation and support kidney health. It is important to talk to your doctor or a dietitian before making any dietary changes, to ensure they are right for your individual health needs.
What color is your pee if you have kidney disease?
If you have kidney disease, your urine may appear to be a darker hue, ranging from dark yellow to brown. In addition, you may also experience cloudiness in the urine, experiencing a foamy or bubbly appearance.
This is caused due to an abundance of proteins in the urine, and occurs when the kidneys are not functioning properly. Additionally, you may experience a fruity odor when urinating, due to high ketone levels, which occur when the body begins to break down fat for energy instead of glucose.
While urine that is darker in color and odor may be a sign of kidney disease, it is important to consult a doctor to determine whether kidney disease is the cause. A doctor may be able to confirm a diagnosis through a variety of tests.
What are the signs that CKD is getting worse?
There are various signs that chronic kidney disease (CKD) is getting worse. Depending on the stage of CKD, these may include:
At Stage 1 or 2:
– Swelling in the feet, legs, ankles and/or face
– Decreased appetite or increased appetite
– Anemia
– Fatigue or general feeling of being unwell
At Stage 3:
– Extreme fatigue
– Increased frequency of urination, particularly during the night
– Itchy or dry skin
– Poor sleep
– Poor appetite
At Stage 4:
– Nausea
– Vomiting
– Difficulty with concentrating or short-term memory
– Muscle cramping
– Dark-colored urine
At Stage 5:
– Difficulty breathing due to fluid accumulation in the lungs
– Persistent nausea or vomiting
– An increased need of dialysis
– Loss of appetite
– Increased risk of infection
It is important to keep track of any signs or symptoms of CKD, and to contact a doctor if there is any concern that the disease is progressing. Early detection and treatment of worsening CKD can help to prevent more serious complications.
How can I tell if my kidney disease is getting worse?
It is important to regularly attend appointments with your doctor to monitor your kidney disease and track any changes. It is important to do blood and urine tests regularly and check your blood pressure.
Your doctor can measure how well your kidneys are working with a blood test called creatinine, as well as send off a sample of your urine for a urinalysis.
Watch out for any physical health changes, such as feeling more tired or short of breath, swelling, or changes in the amount of urine you are passing. If you develop any new symptoms, like nausea and vomiting, it is important to inform your doctor right away.
It is also important to understand and recognise any dietary changes that you may need to make, such as limiting the amount of phosphorus or protein in your diet. Your dietitian can help you make any changes needed.
Ultimately, regular reviews with your doctor or renal team are the best way to determine if your kidney disease is getting worse, and early identification of any worsening of your disease can help you receive the treatment you need.
