These are common indicators that you may observe when your kidneys have sustained substantial damage. However, keep in mind that these symptoms might be related to other health issues. Only a healthcare professional can diagnose whether they are due to chronic kidney disease (CKD). If you experience any of these signs, make sure to schedule a medical check-up.
1- Puffy eyes, ankles and feet:
Have you observed puffiness around your eyes or swelling in your ankles and feet? If your kidneys are not efficiently filtering out excess water and waste from your body, these fluids can accumulate in your tissues, resulting in swelling. This swelling usually occurs in the lower body but can also manifest around the eyes or, in some cases, in your hands. If left untreated, this fluid build-up can extend to the lungs, causing shortness of breath. The name of this condition is ‘pulmonary edema
2- Blood in your wee (Urine):
There are many potential causes for this, with kidney disease being one of them.
Normally, when your kidneys are functioning as they should, they retain blood cells while filtering waste from your bloodstream. However, if the kidney filters are damaged, blood cells might seep into your urine. If you notice blood in your urine, it’s crucial to consult your doctor immediately. This way, they can rule out infections and check for more serious conditions like bladder or kidney cancer.
3- Foamy wee:
Foam in your urine can indicate high levels of protein, particularly if you need to flush multiple times to get rid of the bubbles. It can resemble the froth on the surface when you’re scrambling eggs, which makes sense because the protein that appears in urine is often the same type of albumin found in eggs.
4- Tiredness and brain fog:
When your kidney function declines, toxins accumulate in your bloodstream, leading to fatigue and difficulty focusing.
Additionally, chronic kidney disease (CKD) can lead to anemia—a reduction in red blood cells—which also contributes to feelings of tiredness.
5- Poor appetite:
While poor appetite is a common symptom associated with stress and various serious health conditions, it can also occur in chronic kidney disease (CKD) due to the accumulation of toxins in the body.
6- Nausea:
Chronic kidney disease can lead to feelings of illness due to a build-up of toxins in your body, resulting from your kidneys not functioning properly.
7- Dry, itchy skin:
Experts aren’t entirely sure why kidney disease causes extremely dry and itchy skin. However, it might be related to various factors, such as a build-up of toxins in the bloodstream and imbalances in the levels of certain minerals in your body.
8- Needing to wee more often:
Healthy kidneys act as filters, cleaning your blood and expelling waste through urine. However, when the kidneys are impaired, they may produce urine that’s mostly water with minimal waste. As a result, you might find yourself needing to use the bathroom more frequently, especially during the night.
9- Muscle cramps:
It’s common to experience cramps from time to time, but impaired kidney function can lead to more frequent muscle cramps.
10- Sleep problems:
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) can disrupt your sleep for several reasons. When your kidneys aren’t functioning well, toxins can accumulate in your bloodstream, potentially interfering with your ability to sleep. Additionally, obesity, a risk factor for both CKD and obstructive sleep apnea, may lead to repeated awakenings throughout the night. On top of that, the need to use the bathroom frequently during the night can further interrupt your sleep.
