Kidney Disease Signs and Symptoms

Kidney disease can be hard to diagnose. It is a disease whose symptoms manifest themselves often only during the late stages. Because of this, it is recommended that people who have kidney disease in their family be tested yearly, regardless of current, or percieved health.

Common Signs and Symptoms

Swollen ankles feet and legs

Ankles, feet and legs have a tendency to swell in people who have kidney problems. This called Edema (Oedema). Edema occurs when there are declining levels of the protein albumin in the blood and an increase of it in the urine which causes fluid to build up, most commonly found in the ankles and feet area. A normal healthy kidney doesn't allow albumin to enter into the urine.

Fatigue and Exhaustion

A decrease in kidney function can lead to an accumulation of toxins and impurities in the blood. An abundance of these can cause people to feel weak, tired, or exhausted. Anemia (low blood cell count) can also affect your energy levels and capacity to concentrate.

Change in urine

There are a lot of variables related to urine that can change with an unhealthy kidney. First, a change in the frequency of urination can occur. When kidney filters are damaged, it can elicit a need to urinate more often.

Another change associated with kidney disease is blood found in the urine. When the kidneys filters are damaged blood cells can leak out, and can be found in the urine.

People also find that their urine become foamy, or has excessive bubbles. When there are bubbles in urine that idicates that there is protein in the urine, which also is a result of faulty filters.

Breathing problems

Extra fluid in the body can build up in the lungs, thus resulting in shortness of breath. Another of shortness of breath could be anemia due to a lack of red blood cells carrying oxygen to the rest of the body. Lungs overcompensate to inhale more oxygen causeing breathing difficulties. 

Puffiness around your eyes

Periorbital Edema, or swelling around the eyes, happens when there is a signficant leakage of protein from the kidney's. It is an early sign of a kidney disease.

Nausea and Vomiting

Both nausea and vomitting can be troublesome symptoms of chronic kidney disease. There are multiple reasons a patient may experience nausea and/or vomiting, such as medications, constipation, or toxins building up in your body because of your failing kidneys.

Loss of appetite 

If you have advanced kidney problems, your appetite may be impaired. Studies show that the dietary intake of people with advanced-stage chronic kidney disease declines as they approach end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Due to severe kidney damage, experts say increased uremic symptoms may causes this loss of appetite.

Dry and Itchy Skin

Dry and itchy skin can be especially severe and troubing in people with kidney failure (otherwise known as ESRD). It occurs when the kidneys have trouble balancing certain minerals, including phosphorus. When your phospherorus levels get too high, it can cause dry skin. Some changes in your sweat glands caused by your kidney disease can worsen the dryness of your skin.