Kidneys filter blood from nitrogenous wastes such as urea, creatinine, toxins and acids, to produce urine. Millions of individuals suffer from various sorts of kidney illness, yet the majority of them are completely unaware of it. This is why kidney disease is commonly referred to as a “silent killer” as most patients do not notice any symptoms until the disease has progressed.
People often get their blood pressure, sugar, and cholesterol levels tested, but neglect to have a basic creatinine check done in the blood to detect any unexplained kidney issues.
There are several warning symptoms of a kidney illness, however, they are frequently neglected or mistaken with other disorders. Check out some of the primary symptoms to keep ahead of the sickness.
Cramps in the muscles
Cramps in the legs and elsewhere might indicate a problem with your kidneys. An imbalance in potassium, sodium, calcium or other electrolytes can disrupt the function of your muscles, nerves, and peripheral system.
Foggy mind
Toxins can impact your brain if your kidneys do not filter all waste out of your system. Anemia may also deprive your brain of the oxygen it requires. You may feel dizzy and have difficulty concentrating and remembering things. You may even feel so perplexed that ordinary things become difficult for you to remember.
Itching
Kidneys that are in good health perform a variety of critical functions. They also act to retain the proper balance of minerals in your blood. Dry and itchy skin may indicate a mineral and nutritional imbalance in your blood caused by renal illness. Itching is frequently caused by elevated phosphorus levels in the blood.
Swollen feet and ankle
Fluids accumulate in your body when your kidneys are unable to effectively eliminate salt. This might result in swollen hands, feet, ankles, legs, or even a puffy face. You may experience swelling, particularly in your feet and ankles. Protein seeping from your urine might also cause puffiness around your eyes.
Poor appetite and bad breath
Kidney illness can produce nausea and vomiting, as well as an upset stomach. This may leave you with little desire to eat. This can occasionally result in weight loss. Uremia is a disorder that occurs when your kidneys are unable to filter waste. This might cause your mouth to smell. Toxins in your system can also give meals a metallic or unpleasant flavour.
Changed urination patterns
Healthy kidneys aid in the filtering of blood to produce urine. When the kidneys aren’t working properly, you may experience urinary problems such as the need to pee more frequently or even seeing blood in the urine. You may also notice frothy or bubbly pee, which might be an early indicator that protein is getting into your urine as a result of damaged kidneys.