5 Early warning signs of kidney disease to look out for.

Sep 17

Written By Tanya H

5 Early warning signs of kidney disease to look out for.

Would you know the symptoms of kidney disease if they happened to you? Although the only way to be 100% sure if you have kidney disease is to be tested, there are five early warning signs of kidney disease that you can look out for. It’s important if you are experiencing any of these symptoms that you discuss this with a healthcare practitioner, such as there don’t tend to be any symptoms of kidney disease at an early stage – due to this, many people are unaware of their condition until it is advanced. By informing yourself of these symptoms you can detect and treat health problems early.

Fatigue

Patients with kidney disease often experience anaemia, which is a condition where the body has an insufficient amount of blood cells, or not enough haemoglobin in the blood cells to carry oxygen around in the body. Healthy kidneys secrete a hormone known as Erythropoetin (EPO) which controls the production of red blood cells. In kidney disease, anaemia can occur due to a shortage of EPO. If you have kidney disease you might notice that you are more tired than usual and get out of breath during normal activities. You could feel less energetic and have more trouble concentrating.

If you think your fatigue could be caused by kidney disease you should contact an experienced healthcare physician. Urology Georgia provides advanced treatment options and therapies in advanced urology ensuring patients receive the care they deserve. Getting tested quickly will give you peace of mind and resolve any health issues you are facing.

Change in Urination

Kidney disease can cause changes in your urine and this a symptom more specific to kidney disease. You might be feeling the need to pee more frequently and there may be a change in the colour of the urine. It could be lighter or darker than usual, have a ‘bubbly’ consistency or you may pass blood in your urine. These are all abnormalities that can arise in a patient with kidney disease.

Protein in Urine

Healthy kidneys do not pass much protein but if their filters are damaged by kidney disease the proteins, such as albumin, can leak through.

Swollen or Puffy Face

One of the functions of the kidneys is to remove excess water from the body. As kidney disease progresses they will stop performing this function efficiently which can cause excess fluid accumulation, causing a swollen or puffy face and in the extremities.

Lower Back Pain

It can be difficult to tell the difference between kidney and back pain, but pain is a common symptom of kidney disease. Kidney pain is usually deeper and higher within the back, usually on one side of the body, while back pain tends to be lower in the back and more to the centre of the spine.

Conclusion

If you find these symptoms to ring true in yourself it’s important to ensure that you receive high-quality medical treatment to solve the problem. With proper diagnosis and treatment, kidney disease can be treated with a range of options.

Tanya H