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7 warning signs of kidney failure you shouldn't ignore

 7 warning signs of kidney failure you shouldn't ignore



Fatigue and weakness

Kidney failure, also known as chronic kidney disease, CKD is a gradual loss by the kidneys of their filtering capability, and consequently, the ability to maintain homeostasis. The disease is usually progressive, and in its early stages, it may present with subtler symptoms. 

Identification of early signs can be made with the purpose of early medical intervention that delays the worsening of kidney injury. Following are seven early warning signs and symptoms of kidney failure that you should pay attention to: Fatigue and weakness: 

The kidneys play a very important role in filtering waste products and maintaining mineral balance. As they start to fail, waste products and toxins build up in the bloodstream, making it difficult for your body to perform well. 

This leads to continued fatigue, a feeling of weakness, and generally lower energy levels. Other contributing factors to fatigue include anemia, resulting from impaired production of the hormone erythropoietin which stimulates the production of red blood cells.

 Swelling of the feet and ankles

Some of the main roles of the kidneys concern balancing fluids within the body. When kidneys cannot filter and excrete excess fluids, the buildup might develop in tissues, leading to swelling, also called edema, especially in the feet, ankles, and legs. 
This may be bound to worsen progressively with time, particularly when sitting or standing for several continuous hours. In the more grave stages of kidney failure, even other parts of the body, such as the hands and face, might swell.

Frequent urination

Early kidney damage may also affect one's urination pattern. As many people take this condition for granted, in some cases, more frequent urination, especially at night, is reported due to impaired kidneys because of their poor filtering. Due to the fact that this poor filtration makes you think you want to pee more, you would feel like urinating more frequently even if the amount is not big. This can lead to dehydration and further strain on the kidneys.

Foamy or bloody urine

Healthy kidneys prevent the leakage of protein and blood cells into the urine. Once the kidneys are damaged, protein may leak into the urine. This gives the appearance of cloudy or foamy urine, often described as similar in texture to that of beaten egg whites. Hematuria, or the presence of blood in the urine, is considered another ominous sign of renal damage, possibly due to the leaking of red blood cells from the filtering units. This could make the urine appear pink, red, or cola-colored.

Waste products and toxins start building up in the blood because the kidneys lose their effectiveness of waste removal. The result of such an accumulation is termed uremia. This may give rise to nausea, vomiting, and a decrease in appetite. 
These gastrointestinal symptoms are very common in the early stages of kidney failure and can lead to involuntary weight loss. The body can't handle nutrients properly, which results in feelings of fullness or an aversion to some types of food.

Shortness of breath

If fluid retention is due to kidney failure, it could also affect the lungs and cause shortness of breath. This may be because of the collection of too much fluid within the lungs, generally called pulmonary edema, from which one experiences difficulty breathing. At the same time, kidney failure often results in anemia because of the reduced production of red blood cells, which means the body has less oxygen-carrying capacity, thus contributing to breathlessness and a feeling of being always out of breath even while performing mild activities.

High blood pressure

The kidneys control blood pressure by adjusting fluid levels and by maintaining a balance of electrolytes such as sodium and potassium. When the kidneys are damaged, they fail to remove extra sodium from the body. Consequently, it can accumulate in the body, leading to water retention and increased blood volume. Increased blood volume increases blood pressure. High blood pressure is a cause and a symptom of kidney disease. If not controlled, it will continue to destroy the kidneys and thus create a self-inflicted cycle of continuously worsening renal function.

Persistent nausea and vomiting

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