8 Important Signs of Kidney Problems
Although kidney problems typically don’t show symptoms until they reach the advanced stages, there are some signs that could serve as warnings, such as fluid retention or alterations in your urine
Your kidneys are the organs that are responsible for filtering out waste from your bloodstream and removing them from your body through the urine.
On average, they are about one foot in length and can process up to 190 liters of blood a day, eliminating around two liters of water.
The kidneys also play an important role in the regulation of your blood pressure and are responsible for the production of several hormones that are fundamental to your general well-being.
Just like other parts of the body, however, an excess of toxins can affect their function and lead to serious health problems.
What’s most troubling is that kidney problems often have either no symptoms at all or they can be confused with other more common health issues.
The good news is that there are a few very clear signs that can warn you of a problem with their function.
Because most people probably aren’t familiar with them, today we want to share the eight most important ones.
Find out what they are!
1. Changes in your urinary habits
Changes in your urinary habits usually occur when something isn’t quite right with your kidneys.
Having the need to urinate all the time – or the opposite, a decreased urge to urinate – can indicate that these organs aren’t working as they should.
2. Changes in the urine itself
Changes in the color, smell, or texture of your urine are very helpful signs of a possible problem with your renal system.
Contact your doctor if you notice your urine is more yellow than normal, contains blood, or has an unpleasant smell.
Although these signs are almost always present in the case of a urinary tract infection, it’s a good idea to have some tests run to rule out a more serious problem.
3. Fluid retention
Because these organs are designed to regulate the level of fluids in your body, a malfunction can lead to fluid retention or edema.
As they lose their ability to filter out liquids and debris, the body’s inflammatory processes are interrupted, leading to swelling in the face, feet, ankles, and other areas.
4. Fatigue and tiredness
The kidneys produce a hormone known as erythropoietin, whose function is to intervene in the creation of red blood cells.
This means that they also play a very important role in the transport of oxygen to the cells of the body.
Because of that, a malfunction of your kidneys can lead to anemia and constant feelings of fatigue and tiredness.
When the cells don’t receive enough oxygen it causes dizziness, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating.
5. Pain in the back or in the kidneys
For patients who have kidney problems, especially elderly people, pain usually appears in the lumbar region of the back or an area close to these organs.
While it could be a muscular problem, it sometimes is directly related to a developing kidney disease.
Kidney stones or urinary tract infections can cause severe back pain that radiates to the groin.
6. A strange taste in the mouth
When toxins build up in your blood stream as a result of kidney problems, it can lead to bad breath and a metallic taste in the mouth.
In fact, some people lose their taste for meat or decrease the amount of food they normally eat in a day.
Although many people ignore this fact, healthy skin also depends on a good oxygen supply and cleansing of the bloodstream.
When the kidneys stop filtering waste, on the other hand, it’s common for skin rashes and other dermatologic problems to appear.
Sometimes these changes are accompanied by an uncomfortable sensation of itching or allergies.
Visit this article: Home remedy for acne
8. High blood pressure
This is a problem that can be triggered by lots of factors that affect the arteries and cardiovascular system.
Among them, it’s important to know that the retention of fluids and sodium can lead to a significant increase in your blood pressure.
Both chronic renal failure and glomerulonephritis will increase your risk of developing this condition.
High blood pressure could also appear with the development of a condition known as renal artery stenosis, which is caused by a partial obstruction of the renal artery, responsible for transporting blood to the kidneys.
Do you suspect you have kidney problems? Check with your doctor as soon as possible to rule out any serious complications.