Symptoms that indicate you may have kidney problems

Most kidney diseases can develop without very clear symptoms, being detected late and evolving into chronic diseases. International data show that about 10% of the world’s population suffer from chronic kidney disease and about 100,000 Brazilians undergo dialysis. Kidney diseases cause serious complications, from abnormalities of the cardiovascular system to increased bone fragility. That’s why it’s so important to recognize some small signs as soon as possible.

O awesome.club brings, below, information about the symptoms that can serve as a warning for you to seek a doctor.

The kidneys work tirelessly for the good of the whole body: they eliminate harmful substances, participate in the process of hematopoiesis and maintain mineral balance. Dryness, itchy skin, hyperpigmentation, rashes and the appearance of a slight jaundice, may indicate that they are not working correctly. Unpleasant symptoms may be linked to excess phosphorus not excreted by the body or intoxication by metabolic products.

Chills, fatigue, difficulty breathing, sleeplessness and weakness are signs of anemia, symptoms familiar to many. Real diseases decrease the production of the hormone erythropoietin, which in turn stimulates the production of red blood cells (RBCs) in the bone marrow. Chronic anemia can indicate that the kidneys are not working properly. When this illness is caused by impaired kidney function, doctors perform hormone replacement therapy to curb it.

Unpleasant smell from the mouth it can be caused by many reasons, and one of them is a urinary tract infection. With reduced kidney function, waste builds up, which can enter the gastrointestinal tract and cause a sort of metallic taste in the mouth (accompanied by a strong ammonia smell).

Edema (swelling) is an excessive accumulation of water in the intercellular spaces. First, it forms in the area of ​​​​the feet, face or eyelids, and then it can appear all over the body. Renal edema is characterized by marks on the skin. When you press on these swollen areas, a kind of white ‘mark’ is formed on the spot, which then disappears quickly. Neurological symptoms such as drowsiness and migraines may also indicate edema. Doctors usually associate the appearance of this swelling with an excess of sodium ions, which attract a large amount of liquid, without allowing the body to eliminate it.

Excess potassium that diseased kidneys cannot eliminate from the body negatively affects the health of the cardiovascular system, causing a serious change in heart rhythm. Hyperkalemia is diagnosed only with the results of laboratory tests, as its symptoms are unstable and easily confused with those of other diseases.

Acute back pain, in combination with a high fever, excessive urination and even vomiting are serious signs that could indicate a kidney infection. And women, due to the features of their genitourinary system, are more at risk of getting an infection than men. If you have these symptoms, you should immediately see a doctor. Most likely, they will prescribe antibiotics in combination with pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs to remedy the problem.

the chronic cramps (not the ones that happen eventually) could be signs of an electrolyte imbalance in the body. Electrolytes such as magnesium and potassium play a very important role in the working of the muscles, and any alteration can cause cramps. However, not only are these elements “responsible” for spasms, but also excess fluid: when the body becomes inflamed, it ends up pressing the nerve endings of the muscles, and this causes pain.

blood pressure it has a negative impact on the kidneys, as it affects the blood vessels and can cause kidney failure. When blood flow is higher than normal, the vessels stretch, which weakens them and, in the case of the kidneys, also makes it difficult for them to excrete waste products from the body. Excess fluid increases pressure in these vessels and exacerbates the problem. According to the NIDDK (National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases), high blood pressure is one of the main factors that cause kidney disease.

Panic attacks are caused by many factors such as stress, chronic fatigue. However, the frequent manifestations of panic symptoms, such as heart palpitations, increased sweating and increases in blood pressure, may indicate the presence of kidney dysfunction, such as a tumor in the adrenal gland. This type of tumor almost always manifests itself with symptoms similar to those of panic attacks, therefore, some doctors examine in detail the patient who complains of these symptoms.

Furthermore, if your psychologist suspects possible physical problems, do not hesitate to ask him to refer you to a specialized doctor so that treatment can be carried out on both fronts, the medical and the psychological.

Nephrologists (specialists in the urinary tract and kidneys) indicate that the following risk factors should be taken into account:

Do you have diabetes or a family member with diabetes? Do you have problems with blood pressure? Do you have or have you had heart disease? Do you have or have you had close relatives with kidney and urinary problems? Do you smoke or are you overweight? Are you over 60?

If you answered ‘yes’ to more than one of the questions, try to take complete exams. Or, if you show some of the signs mentioned in our post, seek medical attention, as you can avoid complications in the future. 🇧🇷