However, signs of kidney disease are usually very generic, meaning they could easily be caused by other medical conditions. For this reason, many people who actually suffer from the condition may not even know they have the disease. Without proper treatment, diseased kidneys may eventually lead to kidney failure which can be a serious and potentially fatal condition.
Here are some common symptoms of kidney disease to watch out for.
1. Changes in urination
Kidneys produce urine, so in the case of failing kidneys, it becomes very likely that certain changes occur in urination. For instance, an individual may feel the need to wake up often at night to relieve their bladder or the urine produced may appear bubbly or foamy.
For some people, the urge may be to urinate more frequently or in higher amounts than usual or to urinate less frequently and in lesser amounts. Changes in urine color from very pale to dark colored urine may also be noticeable while some individuals may also feel pressure or experience difficulty urinating. In some instances, the urine passed may contain blood as well.
2. Persistent Fatigue
When kidneys function normally and are healthy, they make a hormone known as erythropoietin, also called EPO. This particular hormone is responsible for signalling the body to produce oxygen transporting red blood cells.
As kidney disease progresses, the kidneys makes less EPO and there is a decrease in the number of red blood cells to transport the oxygen. This results in the brain and muscles tiring quicker than normal and causing excessive fatigue. A scarcity of red blood cells is known as anemia, and is a condition that can be corrected with treatment.
3. Swelling
Healthy kidneys are responsible for removing extra fluid from the body, but failing kidneys do not. Failure to do so can result in fluid buildup in the body causing swelling in the lower body in the legs, ankles and feet, and in the upper body in the face or hands.
The condition is also known as edema where extra fluid and sodium starts to circulate in the system and the effects of kidney disease related edema are typically visible in the legs and around the eyes.
4. Unpleasant taste in mouth
When toxic waste is not removed effectively from the body, one of the symptoms is a buildup of waste in the blood known as uremia. This can cause a metallic taste to develop in the mouth, making food taste disagreeable and possibly causing bad breath.
The bad breath is due to urea buildup in the blood and the development of an unpleasant taste in the mouth can cause people to lose their appetite. Individuals may also experience frequent nausea or vomiting due to the unpleasant sensation in the mouth.
5. Shortness of breath
Having difficulty catching breath can be linked to kidney disease in a couple of ways. Firstly, excess fluid retention in the system can likely develop inside the lungs, causing respiratory difficulties. Secondly, the shortage in the production of red blood cells due to kidney disease can also leave the body starved of oxygen and cause shortness of breath.
With progressive kidney disease, shortness of breath will also be accompanied with frequent bouts of extreme fatigue, dizziness and possibly an inability to focus well.
6. Feeling cold
Since anemia can be linked to kidney disease, a shortage of red blood cells in the body can also cause individuals to feel cold even in warm surroundings. Anemic individuals often have poor circulation which can leave them cold intolerant in various circumstances.
A lack of red blood cells not only means that enough oxygen is not being transported throughout the body but also that heat and other nutrients carried by the red blood cells are also not being delivered adequately.
7. Dry itchy skin
Working kidneys cleanse the body by removing waste from the bloodstream. However, when they fail, waste buildup accumulates and cause different uncomfortable symptoms including dry, itchy skin that can lead to skin rashes and severe itching.
Kidney disease related itching is characterized by daily episodes of itching that can worsen during the night and may be so severe as to interfere with sleep patterns. The itch may be spread all over the body or confined to one specific area.
8. Pain felt in the back or sides
While pain felt in the back or on the side of the affected kidney can be a somewhat more specific indicator of kidney disease, not everyone who suffers from the condition may experience it. Pain may be felt in the back where the kidneys are located or only on one side where the affected kidney is positioned.
Given the diagnosis, the pain may be indicative of kidney stones, polycystic kidney disease or even kidney infections
9. Muscle cramps
Muscle cramps, especially in the legs can be a common problem for individuals with kidney disease. An imbalance in fluid or electrolyte levels can trigger these cramps as the metabolic waste builds up to higher levels in the blood. Damage to muscles and nerves can all result in muscle twitches, muscle weakness, cramps and pain.
Individuals may also experience a pins and needles sensation in the legs and arms and may even lose sensation in certain areas of the body.
10. High blood pressure
In individuals with kidney disease, when blood vessels in the area become damaged, they stop expelling extra fluid and wastes from the body. This excess fluid then presents the possibility of raising the blood pressure even more.
When blood vessels in the kidneys become damaged, they do not filter blood well, and the kidneys lose their ability to regulate fluids, hormones, acids and salts in the body. Eventually, unregulated high blood pressure often becomes the leading cause of kidney failure in individuals.
11. Sleep problems
Individuals with kidney disease have a hard time falling asleep and staying asleep. When the kidneys do not filter properly, toxins stay in the blood and cause uncomfortable symptoms like insomnia or restless leg syndrome.
Since a buildup of waste in the blood can cause people to feel ill and uncomfortable, getting a good night’s sleep can become difficult. Individuals may tend to fall asleep earlier than their usual bed time or become more prone to napping during the daytime.
