Our kidneys are something that we do not give a lot of thought. They simply do a job, they clean your blood and make your body in order. However, once the Kidney Disease begins it may silently develop without any spectacular effects. This is why it is possible to learn at home that how to observe the symptoms of early kidney disease and not to go to serious troubles in the future.
We can discuss it in plain language, i.e. what happens, what to look out and what you can do.
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What Do Your Kidneys Do?
Your kidneys are located just beneath your ribs with one lying on either side of your spine. They sieve waste, excessive fluid and toxins in your blood. They also aid in controlling blood pressure, red blood cell formation and maintenance of minerals such as sodium and potassium.
Just imagine that they are your body clean-up crew.
Waste accumulates in your organism when they begin to slow down, or even be damaged. This is when you may start to feel weary, swollen or you may find some changes in your urine.
What Is Kidney Disease?
The Kidney Disease occurs when your kidneys fail to perform as they are supposed to. It may take place gradually or abruptly.
Others have a chronic kidney disease (CKD) which is a long-term illness which progresses gradually. Others may have kidney stones, polycystic kidney disease or inflammation known as glomerulonephritis.
Whatever the type it is, the sooner you see it the more chances you will have to keep your kidneys healthy.
Common Types of Kidney Problems
Why You Should Pay Attention Early
The initial symptom of kidney disease is disregarded by most of the population as it appears in the form of something minor such as fatigue, slight edema or slight alteration of the urine color.
However, failure to pay attention to these symptoms may cause the stage three kidney disease symptoms and kidney failure.
Early detection of CKD stage can be slowed down or even treated at home through good habits, proper food and lifestyle modifications.
You have no idea how your kidneys have to work, but you can notice when they do not.
It is better to listen to your body and be aware that you are having kidney trouble, however.
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Kidney Disease Early Signs and Symptoms.
At the onset of Kidney Disease, it tends to be silent. You might even spend months, even years feeling dandy. Yet maybe you kidneys are already straining. The thing is to pay attention to the initial symptoms of kidney disease before these problems become serious.
We will discuss the things you should be able to watch at home.
1. Changes in Urine
This is a symptom that most individuals tend to overlook, and is normally the initial symptom of kidney disease.
- You might notice:
- Your urine is dark or foamy.
- You experience the urge to visit it more frequently, particularly at night.
- In some cases, you can urinate not as often as usual.
In others, blood can be found in urine- which is an indication of the initial symptoms of kidney stones or glomerulonephritis.
When your urine changes the appearance or the smell in a period that is longer than few days, you should not overlook it. It is your kidneys that are talking to you.
2. Fatigue and Weakness
Slowing down of kidneys enables accumulation of waste in your blood. That exhausts you and leaves you out of energy.
You may believe that it is a case of stress or not taking enough sleep, but in case you are finding yourself constantly tired, it could be among the onset symptoms of kidney disease.
Individuals who have chronic kidney disease (CKD) tend to feel weak due to the fact that the kidneys are no longer able to assist the body produce sufficient red blood cells.
3. Swelling (Edema)
When your shoes or rings suddenly tighten that may indicate that your body is retaining some fluid.
Pitting of hands, feet or rings around the eyes can be an indication of kidney trouble.
The extra amount of water cannot be disposed of by your kidneys in a normal way and so accumulates under your skin.
4. Loss of Appetite or Nausea
Kidneys are important to your body as they eliminate toxins. In case they fail to work, the toxins accumulate and cause you to feel sick.
You may not have the appetite or you may nauseate after eating. Others even complain that food begins to taste metallic.
It is another minor yet significant primary factor of renal illness that is simple to overlook.
5. Trouble Concentrating
When you are unable to concentrate or when you are in a light-headed state, then it might be due to the fact that you are not getting enough oxygen in your blood.
Ckd usually results in low red blood cell count. It means that you get less oxygen in your brain - and this makes you feel sick or lightheaded.
6. The symptoms of kidney disease in women.
In the case of women, things may appear somewhat different.
The symptoms of kidney disease are common in women and they include:
- Peripalpation (eye, ankle).
- Menstrual cycle changes in urination.
- Satisfied with a mere half of nothing in the way of appetite.
- Fatigue and back discomfort.
Women frequently misinterpret these symptoms with hormonal problems so that the symptoms of early kidney diseases remain undetected.
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Common Early Kidney Symptoms You Can Notice at Home
| Symptom | What You Might Feel or See | Possible Cause |
|---|---|---|
| Foamy or dark urine | Too much protein or blood | Chronic kidney disease |
| Swelling in legs or eyes | Fluid build-up | CKD stages |
| Fatigue, dizziness | Low red blood cells | Chronic kidney disease stages |
| Back pain or side ache | Blockage or kidney stones | Early signs of kidney stones |
| Loss of appetite | Toxin build-up | CKD |
“Small changes in your body can tell big stories — don’t ignore them.”
— HealthClues
Main Causes and Types of Kidney Disease
You might ask yourself, why then do people get Kidney Disease?
Well, it is not only one reason. Your kidneys can be damaged with lots of little habits, health problems and even genes.
Kidney Disease: Common Causes.
There are those causes that you can manage and those that you cannot.
- Blood pressure - It strains your kidneys.
- Diabetes - The excessive sugar in the body destroys kidney filters in the long run.
- Infections - Prolonged infections have the potential of scarring the kidney tissues.
- Kidney stones - They obstruct the passage of urine and result in inflammation.
- Some drugs - Pain medication When taken in excess, may damage kidneys.
- Family history - You have a higher risk of having problems with kidneys in case your parents had them.
- Autoimmune diseases - These may result in glomerulonephritis just like in lupus.
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the inability of the kidneys, slowly but surely, to clean your blood.
The harm does not occur in a single day, it is accumulated during months, years.
This may have no immediate effect but as the stages of CKD escalate, you will experience initial signs of kidney diseases such as swelling, fatigue and frothy urine.
Chronic Kidney Disease Stages Overview
“CKD doesn’t arrive overnight — it knocks quietly, stage by stage.”
Kidney Stones
Kidney stones- these are stones that are formed as a result of the combination of minerals and salts within your kidneys.
They are either very small or as large as a pebble.
The early symptoms of kidney stones are:
- Sudden pain in the lower back or the side.
- Pain when urinating.
- Blood in urine.
- Nausea or vomiting.
Although stones are not necessarily hazardous, they may lead to symptoms of kidney disorder when they stop the urinary stream.
Polycystic Kidney Disease
Poly cystic kidney disease is a hereditary disorder.
Cysts- small fluid-filled sacs begin to develop within the kidneys.
They eventually expand and compress normal kidney tissue.
This impairs the functioning and may lead to:
- Pain in your sides.
- High blood pressure.
- Enlarged belly.
- Blood in urine.
Glomerulonephritis
This implies the inflammation on the blood filters (glomeruli) of the kidney.
When these filters become big then your kidneys fail to eliminate waste matter.
Common signs:
- Puffy face in the morning.
- Dark or tea-colored urine.
- High blood pressure.
- Fatigue.
“The health of kidneys does not depend on the age but on the attention.”
Home-based Recognition of Stage Three Kidney Disease Symptoms.
Kidney disease in stage three means that your kidney is half as strong.
You may live well as long as you are on your guard.
Characteristic symptoms of kidney disease stage three.
- Exhaustion, which does not subside.
- The legs and eyes have swelling.
- Foamy or dark urine.
- Back pain.
- Dry, itchy skin.
- Cramps at night.
- Shortness of breath.
Basic Audits You Can Perform at Home.
Check Your Urine
- When it is dark, foamy, or less frequent, then it is a warning.
Check for Swelling
- Gently press on your ankle, once more, it must remain indented, liquid can be trapped.
Track Energy Levels
- The presence of heavy or tiredness when one is rested can be a CKD symptom.
Watch Appetite
- Loss of appetite, nausea, or metallic taste = the early signs of kidney disease.
Quick Self-Check for Kidney Health
| Sign | What It Means | Possible Cause |
|---|---|---|
| Foamy or dark urine | Protein or blood in urine | Chronic kidney disease |
| Swelling in ankles | Fluid retention | CKD stages |
| Unusual tiredness | Waste build-up in blood | CKD |
| Itchy or dry skin | Toxin overload | Chronic kidney disease stages |
Prevention
How You Can Prevent Kidney Disease
Eat Smart
Limit the amount of salt, sugar and processed foods.
Stay Hydrated
Water can aid the kidneys to cleanse themselves and avoid kidney stones.
Move More
Exercise maintains a normal body weight and prevents CKD.
Limit Painkillers
The use of long-term painkillers is damaging to the kidneys.
Manage Health Conditions
Treat high blood pressure and diabetes - the chief cause of kidney disease.
Prevention is not a costly endeavor, treatment is.
When You Should See a Doctor
In case you experience swelling, fatigue, or urine changes, visit a doctor in time.
Early-detected chronic kidney disease can be managed before turning into late stages of ckd.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can kidney disease go away?
It may be slowed down when it is detected early. Once it is seriously damaged, it is irreversible.
What causes kidney disease?
High blood pressure, infections and mostly diabetes.
How can I check at home?
Monitor urine color, swelling, and fatigue - these symptoms are the initial ones of kidney disease.
Kidney disease vs. kidney stones?
No. The kidney stones are obstructions. CKD is long-term damage.
What do women have concerning the symptoms of kidney disease?
Puffiness, pain at the back, fatigue, and urine that comes out in an irregular manner.
“Your kidneys do not demand much — they only need some attention given each day.”
Final Thoughts
Kidney Disease can begin without a bang but develops at a rapid pace provided that there is no attention paid.
Be conscious of minute alterations of the body. Take water, chew food, exercise.
When you first see the first indicator of kidney disease respond immediately.
Youth: You can save your own kidneys, Start today.
Disclaimer
The article is informative and is not a replacement of professional medical advice.
You should always consult a professional medical practitioner.
Suggested Links
External Link:
- American Kidney Fund — Learn more about kidney care and prevention.