Are your kidneys ok? Signs your kidneys might be in trouble
These signs aren’t always specific but can be warning flags:
• Swelling in ankles, feet, or face especially morning swelling around or underneath eyes has to be considered carefully .
• Fatigue or weakness, night cramps in legs can be due to many diseases but can also indicate kidney disease
• Changes in urination (foamy, more frequent, less frequent, or blood in urine)
Foamy urine may be indication of protein leak in urine. Once you flush water the foam generated has to disappear, if not going away then probably you might be having proteinuria . Oliguria or less urine despite adequate water intake can be due to deficient filtration by kidneys. Increased frequency of urine in day time can be a symptom of kidney disease.
Nocturia (passing urine more times at night is rather unusual) has to be considered seriously. Blood in urine also might indicate kidneys stone disease, urinary tract infection and urinary tract and kidney malignancies. Evaluation is mandatory for all these kinds of symptoms.
• Persistent itching
Can be a sign of uremia (elevated blood urea levels and other nitrogenous waste), so better watch out for this symptom if you have itching all over the body
• Shortness of breath
Difficulty while walking for short distances or stairs which was prior not present can be a sign of excess water accumulation in the body and can cause breathing difficulties.
• Metallic taste or bad breath
Taste change with all types of foods can also be a symptom of kidney disease
Early detection is important for treatment and prognostication. Kidney disease detection can be done through few simple tests
Blood Test (Serum Creatinine)
Urine Test (Urinalysis & Albumin-to-Creatinine Ratio)
Ultrasound or Imaging (if needed)
Who has to undergo kidney screening :
Persons with risk factors like
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Family history of kidney disease
• Overuse of painkillers or certain medications
(Article Courtesy: MD(Med), DM(Nephro), DNB(Nephro), MNAMS, Consultant Nephrologist and Renal Transplant Physician, Asian Institute of Nephrology and Urology, Nungambakkam, Chennai.)
