5 Signs You May Have Kidney Disease
The kidneys play a crucial role in maintaining our overall health, yet they often go unnoticed until a problem arises. Our mission is to equip you with valuable knowledge about the signs and symptoms of kidney disease so that you can take charge of your health and well-being.
The kidneys, two bean-shaped organs located on either side of the spine, are responsible for filtering waste and excess fluids from the blood. Additionally, they help regulate blood pressure, produce essential hormones, and maintain electrolyte balance. When the kidneys are affected by the disease, they may not function optimally, leading to potential health complications.
Kidney disease can have various causes, and identifying the underlying factors is essential for appropriate management and treatment. Some of the primary causes of kidney disease include:
Diabetes: Diabetes is one of the leading causes of kidney disease. High blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels in the kidneys, affecting their ability to filter waste and fluids effectively.
Hypertension (High Blood Pressure): Uncontrolled high blood pressure can damage the blood vessels in the kidneys, leading to kidney disease over time.
Glomerulonephritis: Glomerulonephritis refers to inflammation of the glomeruli, the tiny filtering units in the kidneys. It can be caused by infections, autoimmune disorders, or other underlying conditions.
The most typical indications of kidney impairment are as follows:
The kidneys, two bean-shaped organs located on either side of the spine, are responsible for filtering waste and excess fluids from the blood. Additionally, they help regulate blood pressure, produce essential hormones, and maintain electrolyte balance. When the kidneys are affected by the disease, they may not function optimally, leading to potential health complications.
The importance of early detection cannot be emphasized enough. Kidney disease is often silent in its early stages, showing little to no symptoms. Sadly, by the time symptoms become evident, the damage may already be substantial. Therefore, recognizing the warning signs and seeking medical attention promptly can make a significant difference in managing and treating kidney disease effectively.
When a kidney’s renal function is compromised, the body’s overall health is at risk.
Causes of Kidney Disease
Diabetes: Diabetes is one of the leading causes of kidney disease. High blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels in the kidneys, affecting their ability to filter waste and fluids effectively.
Hypertension (High Blood Pressure): Uncontrolled high blood pressure can damage the blood vessels in the kidneys, leading to kidney disease over time.
Glomerulonephritis: Glomerulonephritis refers to inflammation of the glomeruli, the tiny filtering units in the kidneys. It can be caused by infections, autoimmune disorders, or other underlying conditions.
ALSO SEE:8 Natural Remedies for Inflammation of the Kidney
Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD): PKD is a genetic disorder where fluid-filled cysts develop in the kidneys, leading to kidney enlargement and impairing kidney function.
Kidney Stones: The formation of kidney stones can obstruct the urinary tract and cause damage to the kidneys if left untreated.
Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD): PKD is a genetic disorder where fluid-filled cysts develop in the kidneys, leading to kidney enlargement and impairing kidney function.
Kidney Stones: The formation of kidney stones can obstruct the urinary tract and cause damage to the kidneys if left untreated.
LEARN MORE:5 Possible Ways To Treat Kidney Stones
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Infections that reach the kidneys can cause inflammation and scarring, potentially leading to kidney damage.
Congenital Kidney Disorders: Some individuals are born with structural abnormalities or kidney malformations that can affect kidney function.
Drug and Medication Toxicity: Long-term use or misuse of certain medications and drugs, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and some antibiotics, can harm the kidneys.
Recurrent Kidney Infections: Frequent or untreated kidney infections can lead to kidney damage over time.
Systemic Diseases: Certain systemic diseases, such as lupus, sickle cell disease, and some types of vasculitis, can affect the kidneys and lead to kidney disease.
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Infections that reach the kidneys can cause inflammation and scarring, potentially leading to kidney damage.
Congenital Kidney Disorders: Some individuals are born with structural abnormalities or kidney malformations that can affect kidney function.
Drug and Medication Toxicity: Long-term use or misuse of certain medications and drugs, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and some antibiotics, can harm the kidneys.
Recurrent Kidney Infections: Frequent or untreated kidney infections can lead to kidney damage over time.
Systemic Diseases: Certain systemic diseases, such as lupus, sickle cell disease, and some types of vasculitis, can affect the kidneys and lead to kidney disease.
LEARN MORE:Top 5 Signs of Kidney Cancer You Should Know
Obstructive Disorders: Conditions that obstruct the flow of urine, such as enlarged prostate or kidney tumors, can cause damage to the kidneys.
Exposure to Nephrotoxic Substances: Exposure to certain chemicals, heavy metals, and other nephrotoxic substances can harm the kidneys.
It's important to note that some risk factors, such as a family history of kidney disease, age, and ethnicity, can also increase the likelihood of developing kidney problems. Additionally, in some cases, the exact cause of kidney disease may remain unclear (idiopathic kidney disease).
Obstructive Disorders: Conditions that obstruct the flow of urine, such as enlarged prostate or kidney tumors, can cause damage to the kidneys.
Exposure to Nephrotoxic Substances: Exposure to certain chemicals, heavy metals, and other nephrotoxic substances can harm the kidneys.
It's important to note that some risk factors, such as a family history of kidney disease, age, and ethnicity, can also increase the likelihood of developing kidney problems. Additionally, in some cases, the exact cause of kidney disease may remain unclear (idiopathic kidney disease).
5 Signs You May Have Kidney Disease
The most typical indications of kidney impairment are as follows:
1. Urinary disorders
The person may have frothy or pale urine, a frequent need to urinate at night, or more urine than usual if the kidneys’ ability to produce urine is inhibited or diminished.
This illness can also cause symptoms that are completely opposite from one other, such as bloody urine, dark urine, less urine than usual, difficulty urinating, and pressure during urinating.
2. Swelling in certain parts of the body
If the kidneys are not able to remove the toxins from the body effectively, they begin to build up in other body areas, such as the feet, arms, face, legs, and ankles.
The person may have frothy or pale urine, a frequent need to urinate at night, or more urine than usual if the kidneys’ ability to produce urine is inhibited or diminished.
This illness can also cause symptoms that are completely opposite from one other, such as bloody urine, dark urine, less urine than usual, difficulty urinating, and pressure during urinating.
2. Swelling in certain parts of the body
If the kidneys are not able to remove the toxins from the body effectively, they begin to build up in other body areas, such as the feet, arms, face, legs, and ankles.
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3. Pain in the lower back
Lower back pain, initially on one side of the body, and subsequently on both, is a common sign of renal failure. People typically experience stronger emotions on the side they sleep on.
3. Pain in the lower back
Lower back pain, initially on one side of the body, and subsequently on both, is a common sign of renal failure. People typically experience stronger emotions on the side they sleep on.
SEE MORE: 10 Common Habits That Seriously Damage Your Kidneys
4. Dryness, rash, itchy skin
Toxins build up in the blood when renal function is compromised, causing rash, dry skin, and chronic itching. These skin conditions are significant indicators of a problem with your kidney function, therefore you should never ignore them or try to treat them with creams and ointments. Go to your doctor as soon as you can.
5. Fatigue
Erythropoietin, a hormone made in the kidneys, aids in the development of red blood cells, which carry oxygen. A person who has less red blood cells may develop anemia, chronic weariness, and oxygen deprivation in the cells.
4. Dryness, rash, itchy skin
Toxins build up in the blood when renal function is compromised, causing rash, dry skin, and chronic itching. These skin conditions are significant indicators of a problem with your kidney function, therefore you should never ignore them or try to treat them with creams and ointments. Go to your doctor as soon as you can.
5. Fatigue
Erythropoietin, a hormone made in the kidneys, aids in the development of red blood cells, which carry oxygen. A person who has less red blood cells may develop anemia, chronic weariness, and oxygen deprivation in the cells.
ALSO SEE: 6 Home Remedies For Kidney Failure Treatment
The functionality of the kidneys should be preserved because they are essential to the body as a whole. You might need to alter your diet and lifestyle to start consuming healthy foods while avoiding cadmium-rich goods in order to restore proper function.
You should also consume a lot of natural liquids such as unsweetened cranberry juice and teas made from thistle, corn silk, and cranberries.
The functionality of the kidneys should be preserved because they are essential to the body as a whole. You might need to alter your diet and lifestyle to start consuming healthy foods while avoiding cadmium-rich goods in order to restore proper function.
You should also consume a lot of natural liquids such as unsweetened cranberry juice and teas made from thistle, corn silk, and cranberries.
DR. APPIAH
Dr. Appiah is a Natural Health Therapist (Naturopath) who engages the natural healing agents given by God to save lives. EAT FOOD AS MEDICINE! EAT TO LIVE, DON'T LIVE TO EAT!! FOR BOOKINGS AND MORE: WANT TO ADVERTISE YOUR PRODUCTS? WANT A PERSONAL(CERTIFIED) NATURAL MEDICINE PRACTITIONER? REACH ME DIRECTLY ON WHATSAPP +233245643615 appiahinok@gmail.com
