Home : health : 8 Most Common Signs Of Poor Kidney Function

8 most common signs of poor kidney function

8 most common signs of poor kidney function

The kidneys play a vital role in maintaining the body’s equilibrium by filtering waste, regulating fluid balance and electrolyte levels, and producing hormones essential for various bodily functions. Any impairment in kidney function due to various reasons can lead to a range of symptoms. Some early indicators may suggest compromised kidney function. Understanding these signs can enable individuals to take proactive steps, seek medical assistance promptly, and minimize the risk of further complications.

Signs of poor kidney function
Changes in urine color, smell, and consistency
If one notices any changes in the color, frequency, or smell of one’s urine, it is usually considered an early sign of kidney disorder. One may experience an increased need to urinate, especially at night, which can disrupt normal sleep patterns. Conversely, one may see a significant decrease in one’s urges to urinate, which leads to a buildup of waste products and fluid retention in the body. Similarly, if one’s urine smells foul or has changed color to dark, foamy, or bloody, it may be a cause for concern.

Changes in appetite and taste
Poor kidney function can impact the digestive system, and individuals may experience a persistent metallic taste in the mouth or a significant loss of appetite.

Exhaustion
One may feel general weakness or fatigue without any lifestyle changes due to toxins getting accumulated in the body.

Protein in urine
Kidneys retain the protein in the body and flush out other toxins, but any malfunctioning of the organs can cause protein loss through one’s urine. This symptom, however, can only be diagnosed with lab tests.

Swelling
If one notices swelling in one’s legs, ankles, or hands, it may indicate fluid retention and kidney damage.

Breathlessness
Poor kidney function can cause fluid buildup or a decrease in red blood cells, leading to shortness of breath. Moreover, one may experience chest pain if fluid accumulates around the heart lining.

Itching and dry skin
When kidneys are unable to eliminate toxins, they seep into one’s blood, circulate in the body, and make one’s skin itch. So dry, itchy skin or rashes can be a sign to watch out for.

Muscle cramps and bone health problems
Kidneys balance the body’s electrolytes, calcium, and other minerals. Impaired kidney function can weaken bones and make one more prone to muscular cramps and fractures.

Apart from these, here are a few other signs that should prompt one to seek medical help and get one’s kidneys checked:

Nausea and vomiting
Frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs)
Sleep apnea
Difficulty controlling high blood pressure
Increased susceptibility to infections

Causes that lead to poor kidney function
Chronic conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure can gradually affect one’s kidneys. Similarly, kidney stones, urinary tract obstructions, autoimmune disorders like lupus, genetic abnormalities that lead to cysts forming in one’s kidneys, or prolonged exposure to toxic substances are some other causes that lead to poor kidney function. Understanding and addressing these underlying causes is important to promote overall kidney health. Apart from this, a sedentary lifestyle, kidney stones, or lead poisoning can also contribute to a person developing kidney issues.

Popular Reads

Here’s how you can get your allergies detected

Here’s how you can get your allergies detected

How many times have allergies caused you to sneeze every time you take a ride in the open air? Or rashes on coming in contact with a plant? Or swelling as a result of a peanut allergy? Sneezing, running noses, watery eyes, rashes, swelling all these reactions due to allergies can be quite distressing. Allergies are more common and can be caused by various things. The cause of allergies is still unknown, it could be genetic or just a singular development. However, they can be easily detected by just visiting your doctor and undergoing some tests. Read on to know more about what are allergies and how to detect them. What are allergies? The immune system is designed to fight any entrant in the body that it recognizes as foreign. However, at times, the immune system becomes over vigilant and starts fighting foreign entrants that are not harmful. Substances that cause the immune system to react this way are called “allergens”, and when you display symptoms of these interactions, you are diagnosed “allergic” to the substance. Allergens can include plants, grass, pollen, dust, food, animal dander among others. While symptoms like running nose, sneezing, watery eyes, rashes, itching, and others, are all attributed to allergic reactions.
5 frequently asked questions about Alzheimer’s disease

5 frequently asked questions about Alzheimer’s disease

A common form of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease is a debilitating and progressive disease that affects the brain and motor functions of the body. The disease progresses through stages. It begins to affect the regions of the brain that control language, thought, and memory. In most of the cases, it begins with a slight memory loss. In the final stages, Alzheimer’s disease leads to the loss of various abilities including motor skills, speech, and independent movement. Here are a few frequently asked questions about Alzheimer’s. What are the causes? Alzheimer’s disease does not have any definite cause. Research has been unable to conclude whether Alzheimer’s is developed by one cause or multiple ones. The exact cause of the ailment is not yet known. However, there are multiple factors that may increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. One of the major causes is ageism. Also, a family history of Alzheimer’s is another major risk. This may lead to the inheritance of genes that cause this disease. Some other possible risk factors that can cause Alzheimer’s include high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, and high cholesterol. What are the symptoms? In most cases, the first warning sign of Alzheimer’s disease is a loss of cognitive ability.
Four important steps in anemia management

Four important steps in anemia management

Hemoglobin is a protein molecule in the red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body. Its richness in iron gives blood its red color. Anemia is a condition where a person has low hemoglobin or red blood cell count. From an underlying disease to nutrient deficiencies, there are a lot of factors that contribute to the onset of this condition. There are many forms of anemia. Some of them include: Iron deficiency anemia -This is caused due to low iron levels in the blood. Most common causes of this type of anemia are heavy menstruation or internal bleeding. Vitamin deficiency anemia – This type of anemia is caused by the deficiency of vitamin C, B-12 or folate Aplastic anemia – Damaged stem cells in the bone marrow fail to produce enough red blood cells, leading to aplastic anemia. Sickle cell anemia – This is a condition characterized by the development of abnormal crescent-shaped red blood cells. Hemolytic anemia – This is a blood disorder caused due to premature death of red blood cells. Thalassemia – This is caused due to low amounts of hemoglobin in the blood. The blood disorders vary in duration and severity. Prompt diagnosis, and treatment are important because anemia could also be due to an underlying condition.