Symptoms of kidney disease that should be checked by a doctor immediately

Most people sometimes ignore the symptoms of kidney disease because they are not too specific. In fact, the kidneys are important organs of the body because they function to filter out impurities and toxins in the blood. Then, feces and toxins will be removed along with urine. So, what are the characteristics of kidney disease that need to be watched out for?

Why do you need to watch out for the symptoms of kidney disease?

The kidneys are working organs that filter excess water and waste from the blood and both are excreted in the urine. In addition, this bean-shaped organ also helps control blood pressure.

Meanwhile, kidney disease occurs when the kidneys are damaged so that they cannot filter the blood optimally. As a result, the accumulation of toxic waste in the body occurs.

The decline in kidney function also occurs slowly, although slowly it turns out that this affects your daily activities. If the symptoms of kidney disease are allowed, this disease can cause other problems that endanger health.

Toxins that are not removed by the kidneys can cause an abnormal heartbeat to sudden death. Therefore, you should not underestimate the symptoms of kidney disease that may look similar to other diseases.

The characteristics and symptoms of kidney disease

Reporting from Kidney Health Australia, most people have lost up to 90% of their kidney function before symptoms of kidney disease appear. However, there are several characteristics that indicate decreased kidney function.

The following are some of the symptoms that indicate your kidney is having problems and you may need to see a doctor.

1. Urine color changes

Changing urine color is a major symptom of kidney problems. Generally, this one characteristic of kidney disease shows that the color of the urine is becoming more cloudy than usual. This is very possible because the kidneys function to produce urine so that when their function decreases, urine can change.

In addition, the habit of urinating may change, either becoming more frequent or doing it less often. If you experience any of the following related to urine problems, consult a doctor immediately.

• Changes in urinary flow pressure during urination.
• Foamy urine due to protein in the urine (proteinuria).
• Spotting blood with urine (hematuria).
• Pain when urinating.

2. Back pain

Apart from changes in urine color and problems urinating, symptoms of kidney disease can also be characterized by pain in the back. This can occur because the kidneys are located in the back of the stomach, to be precise on the side of the spine in the lower back.

This problematic kidney symptom appears due to kidney stones that are swollen and caught in the ureter, pressing on the back. As a result, pain appears in the back of the waist. In addition, this pain can also arise because of a urinary tract infection.

3. Tiring easily

In healthy people, the kidneys will produce EPO (erythropoietin), which can increase the red blood cells in your blood. These red blood cells carry oxygen to the parts of your body.

If the kidneys are deficient in EPO, oxygen levels also decrease and cause the body to become weak. That's why tiredness easily can be a symptom of kidney disease that is often encountered, but is often underestimated.

In addition, neglected kidney disease also risks causing complications in the form of anemia which can make the body weak and tired easily.

3. Swollen arms and legs

The kidneys are the organs that are responsible for filtering fluids in the body. If not filtered properly, some parts of the body such as arms and legs can swell. The reason is, the protein that passes from the kidney filtering and is wasted through the urine results in a buildup of fluid that causes swelling.

Therefore, swollen arms and legs can be a benchmark for symptoms of kidney disease. Apart from these two parts of the body, people with damaged kidneys also experience swelling of the eyes.

4. Dry and itchy skin

Skin that feels itchy and looks red can also be a common symptom of kidney disease. Well-functioning kidneys can remove waste and fluids from the body, helping to maintain the right amount of minerals in the blood.

If kidney function is problematic, dry and itchy skin can occur because this organ is unable to maintain the balance of minerals and nutrients in the blood. You may be able to treat dry, itchy skin with creams or ointments, but these treatments don't treat damaged kidneys.

Therefore, the characteristics of kidney disease that may be similar to ordinary diseases should not be underestimated, including dry and itchy skin.

5. Often feel nauseous to vomiting

The waste or toxic waste that builds up in the blood (uremia) can also cause nausea and make you want to vomit.

This is caused by a disturbance in the vomiting reflex center in the brain and digestive system, so that both unpleasant feelings occur.

Nausea and vomiting and loss of appetite can also be difficult symptoms to detect as kidney disease by others. In fact, both of these symptoms can cause weight loss drastically and aggravate the body's condition.

6. Shortness of breath

Shortness of breath can be a symptom of kidney disease due to two factors. First, the problematic kidney causes fluid to enter and accumulate in the lungs through the blood, or what is commonly called pulmonary edema.

Then, anemia due to lack of red blood cells carried by oxygen makes the body lack oxygen, making it difficult for you to breathe. This condition eventually makes a person with problematic kidneys gasping for breath and hunting.

7. Iron taste in the mouth

Did you know that the taste of iron in the mouth can be one of the characteristics of kidney disease that may be similar to other diseases?

In fact, a bad taste on the tongue can occur in people with damaged kidneys. The reason is, the body is filled with too many toxins and makes you feel it directly in your mouth.

This build-up of waste in the blood (uremia) not only causes an iron taste in the mouth, but makes you exhale bad breath. As a result, it is not uncommon for appetite to decrease when the body shows signs of problematic kidneys.

8. Muscle cramps

Kidney problems can also cause electrolyte imbalance. As a result, the body experiences uncontrolled decrease in calcium and phosphorus levels, causing symptoms of kidney disease in the form of muscle cramps.

On the other hand, muscle cramps can also be caused by nerve damage or impaired blood flow due to abnormalities in the kidneys. If you experience this characteristic feature of kidney disease, you should consult a doctor to get the right treatment.

9. Difficulty concentrating and dizzy

Dizziness and difficulty concentrating are two early symptoms of kidney disease that are often overlooked. The reason is, both are often misunderstood as the effects of stress or fatigue. In fact, difficulty concentrating and dizziness can be signs that you have kidney problems.

This condition can occur due to the kidneys not working properly, so that oxygen does not spread evenly throughout the body, including the brain. A brain that is deprived of oxygen can trigger dizziness, difficulty concentrating thoughts, and a person's memory loss.

10. Experiencing sleep disorders

For some people, a disturbed sleep schedule may be common because they feel closely related to the stress they experience daily. However, sleep disturbances can actually be one of the overlooked symptoms of kidney disease.

Generally, sleep disturbances occur in people with chronic kidney failure or those who have entered the final stages. Patients with kidney disease cannot sleep well because the kidneys do not filter optimally. Instead of being excreted in the urine, toxins still accumulate in the blood.

If this condition is not treated properly, other symptoms of kidney disease may worsen. For example, sleep disturbances can cause tiredness and daytime sleepiness to interfere with cognitive function.

This of course can affect the overall quality of life, so consulting a doctor is the right way.

When is it necessary to see a doctor?

The symptoms of kidney disease that have been mentioned are quite common and may be caused by other diseases. However, several cases have shown that the condition is associated with kidney disease.

If these symptoms are allowed, it can certainly worsen the condition of the kidneys, given that their function gradually decreases. Therefore, you should immediately consult a doctor when you experience the symptoms of kidney disease that have been mentioned above.

In addition, if you have other diseases such as diabetes or hypertension, you should more often have your kidneys checked by your doctor. This aims to get treatment as early as possible and prevent the risk of complications from kidney disease.