Kidneys perform a number of vital functions in the body in addition to just processing the waste materials out of the body. They regulate salt, potassium, and acid levels; keep blood pressure in check; produce vitamin D and control the production of red blood cells. When kidneys are in trouble, there are usually no signs or very subtle signs and by the time the problem gets diagnosed, there is usually already a serious damage done to the kidneys.
Here are some signs that could suggest your kidneys are in trouble:
1 . Problems with Urination
You may notice changes in your urination habits. These include strong urge to urinate but being unable to do so, passing urine that is darker than usual, passing foamy urine, passing urine that contains blood, painful urination or difficulty passing urine. These symptoms could suggest that something is not right with your kidneys and you need thorough clinical evaluation.
2 . Swelling Due To Fluid Retention
In kidney diseases, fluid gets accumulated in the body causing swelling or bloating. This is called edema. It usually appears in feet and around ankles, but can involve hands, face and other parts of the body.
3 . Feeling very tired or sleepy
One of the many functions that the kidneys perform in the body is to maintain healthy hemoglobin levels. If there is anything wrong with your kidneys, your hemoglobin levels can fall, causing you to feel excessively tired or sleepy. Fall in hemoglobin levels can also cause dizziness and difficulty concentrating.
4 . Lower Back Pain
Having pain in the lower back or along the sides could suggest a kidney trouble and should not be taken lightly. The pain is characteristic and you may feel a severe cramping pain that spreads from the lower back into the groin.
5 . Unexplained Rashes and Skin Itching
Having unexplained skin rashes, itching and other skin problems could be pointers to an underlying kidney problem. Renal failure causes waste build-up in your blood. This causes severe itching and skin rashes.
6 . Having Ammonia Breath
Kidney disease interferes with the body’s ability to properly break down wastes, leading to an excess of urea in the blood. This can lead to urea being broken down to ammonia in the mouth by saliva, thus leading to urine-like bad breath called ammonia breath. It is also usually associated with an unpleasant metallic taste in the mouth.
7 . Feeling Excessively Cold
You may feel excessively cold all the time. This could be due to low hemoglobin levels ( due to a kidney problem) or an underlying kidney infection causing fever and chills. Extreme fatigue and exhaustion can also be responsible for this symptom.
8 . Shortness of Breath
You may experience breathing difficulties like shortness of breath. This can be a result of fluid retention in the lungs or due to low hemoglobin levels (both a consequence of a kidney disease)
9 . Not Feeling Hungry
Loss of appetite, or feeling nauseated could also indicate kidney trouble. This happens when waste products start to build up in the body due to the inability of the kidneys to get rid of them.
So, if you have any these signs do not ignore them. It is always best to seek a doctor’s opinion who will assess the health of your kidneys and rule out any possible kidney problem. Stay Healthy, Stay Happy!