Our kidneys, those two bean-shaped organs nestled beneath the ribcage on either side of the spine, are vital to our health. They filter waste from our blood, regulate blood pressure, keep electrolyte levels in balance, and make red blood cells.
When they’re damaged, their ability to perform these crucial tasks diminishes, potentially leading to serious health problems.
Recognizing the early signs of kidney damage can be lifesaving, allowing for prompt treatment and management of the condition. This article explores the warning signs of kidney damage, backed by research, in plain language for everyone to understand.
- Changes in Urination
One of the most direct signs of kidney trouble is a change in the frequency, color, and appearance of urine. You might find yourself needing to urinate more often, especially at night.
Your urine could become foamy or bubbly (indicating protein in the urine), darker than usual (indicating blood), or very light (suggesting a high volume of diluted urine). These changes can signal that the kidneys are struggling to filter your blood properly.
- Swelling in Unexpected Places
When the kidneys fail to eliminate excess fluid from the body effectively, this fluid can build up, causing swelling, known as edema. This swelling is most noticeable in the legs, ankles, feet, face, and hands. It’s a visible sign that the kidneys aren’t managing fluids as they should be.
- Fatigue and Weakness
Healthy kidneys produce a hormone called erythropoietin (EPO), which signals the body to make red blood cells.
When the kidneys are damaged, they make less EPO, leading to fewer red blood cells to carry oxygen and an ensuing feeling of fatigue and weakness. This condition is known as anemia and is common in people with kidney damage.
- Dry and Itchy Skin
Kidney health and skin health are more connected than many realize. The kidneys play a role in maintaining the right balance of minerals and nutrients in the blood.
Dry and itchy skin can be a sign of mineral and bone disease that often accompanies advanced kidney disease when the kidneys are no longer able to keep the balance of minerals and nutrients in the blood.
- Metallic Taste in the Mouth
A buildup of wastes in the blood (called uremia) can make food taste different and cause bad breath. A metallic taste in the mouth or ammonia breath can signal that the kidneys are failing to filter out waste, which is affecting your taste and breath.
- Nausea and Vomiting
The buildup of waste products in the blood can also cause nausea and vomiting. This is a direct result of the body reacting to the toxins that the kidneys should be filtering out. Persistent nausea can lead to a decrease in appetite, which, over time, can cause malnutrition.
- Shortness of Breath
Trouble catching your breath can be related to kidney damage in two ways. First, extra fluid in the body can build up in the lungs. Second, anemia can leave your body oxygen-starved and short of breath.
- Feeling Cold
Anemia can make you feel cold all the time, even in a warm environment. This is because of the lack of red blood cells to carry oxygen to your tissues, leaving you feeling cold.
Recognizing these signs early is crucial for managing kidney damage and preventing further decline in kidney function. While some of these symptoms can be caused by other conditions, when they are seen together, they warrant a check-up to assess kidney health.
If you’re experiencing one or more of these symptoms, consulting with a healthcare provider can help determine the cause and the best course of action. Early detection and treatment can significantly slow or halt the progression of kidney damage, making awareness and prompt action key.
If you care about kidney health, please read studies about how to protect your kidneys from diabetes, and drinking coffee could help reduce risk of kidney injury.
For more information about kidney health, please see recent studies about foods that may prevent recurrence of kidney stones, and eating nuts linked to lower risk of chronic kidney disease and death.
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