Early Warning Signs of Kidney Disease

A toxic kidney rarely presents any symptoms in the early stages. Instead, symptoms only appear at a relatively advanced stage (1).

The earliest symptom of kidney disease is an abnormal level of urea or creatinine in your blood. This results in a condition known as uremia.

Your doctor will order a basic metabolic panel blood test as part of a routine physical examination.

This test will allow your healthcare provider to detect abnormal levels of either creatinine or urea (2).

Other physical signs can show that your kidney may be toxic, apart from blood test results.

1. Issues with urination

There is a close tie between kidney health and urine production. Typical symptoms include frequent urination or urinating less frequently than usual, mostly at night. Other signs may consist of (3):

· Burning or pain while urinating

· A drastic reduction in the amount of urine produced

· Discolored, foamy, or cloudy urine

2. Blood in the urine

This condition is known as hematuria. Hematuria can be a symptom of several conditions. If you experience this, you should consult your healthcare provider immediately for investigation.

3. Swelling

The kidneys are responsible for the removal of excess fluid from the blood. When this fails to happen, the fluid accumulates in your body. This results in swelling in your:

· Legs

· Ankles

· Feet

· Face

· Hands

One may also experience swelling in your lungs. This can result in shortness of breath. Puffiness or swelling around your eyes is another sign of a toxic kidney (4).

4. Pain in the back

You may feel kidney pain in your sides or back. In most cases, the pain is felt in the middle of your back, slightly below your rib cage.

5. Skin itch or rash

Accumulation of waste products in your blood can trigger a skin reaction, usually leading to severe itching or rash.

6. Fatigue

Your kidney performs a sensory function in your body. This function involves the production of red blood cells (erythrocytes) that transport oxygen to every part of your body.

A shortage of red blood cells in the body is called anemia. Anemia causes:

· Decreased stamina

· Tiredness

· Dizziness or problems with memory

Fatigue caused by kidney disease can also be caused by the accumulation of metabolic waste in your blood (3).

7. Loss of appetite

Loss of appetite is a common problem in people with kidney disease. Loss of appetite may lead to weight loss and undernutrition.

If you have kidney disease, you must discuss choosing the right foods that will help you stay healthy with your healthcare provider.

Takeaway

The symptoms of kidney disease show up only during the late stage of the disease. Undergoing a regular kidney function test will help you and your healthcare provider identify and address any underlying kidney problems.