Located on both sides of your body, your kidneys work 24×7 to ensure you’re always at your best. But if you are not careful enough and do not follow a healthy lifestyle, you risk damaging them. And that means your kidneys aren’t working as well as they should.
If you are worried that you are suffering from kidney problems, pay attention to the following symptoms that your body is giving you!
1. Trouble sleeping
Sleep disorders and kidney failure almost go hand in hand. In fact, people who suffer from chronic kidney disease (CKD) also have sleep apnea.What happens is that when your kidneys stop working as they should, toxins that are normally excreted in the urine remain in your blood. This makes it difficult to fall asleep.
2. Weakness and fatigue
This includes headaches. One of the many functions of your kidneys is to convert vitamin D to maintain healthy bones, as well as to produce a hormone known as “erythropoietin” or EPO (3). The production of red blood cells (RBC) is the primary role of this hormone. When your kidneys are not working properly, the production of this hormone decreases and you end up feeling physically and mentally tired.
3. Itchy and dry skin
If you have itchy, dry skin that lotions can’t fix, it’s a sign that your kidneys are probably failing (4). As you know, one of the main jobs of your kidneys is to flush out waste products from the blood, thereby maintaining the balance of minerals in your body. When your kidneys are unable to maintain the proper balance of nutrients and minerals, you have dry and itchy skin.
4. Odor and metallic taste
The accumulation of waste material in your blood due to poor kidney function can cause great damage to your body. Bad breath and a metallic taste are just one of these damages. Bad breath is a sign that there are too many toxins in your bloodstream. In addition, although a metallic taste in the mouth can have many causes, if the taste refuses to go away despite treatment, it may be a sign of kidney failure.
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5. Shortness of breath
Mild shortness of breath after vigorous training, running or other similar activities is normal. However, if you feel short of breath without exerting yourself, they may have kidney problems. Why this happens depends on two reasons. One is a build-up of fluid in the lungs and the other is a result of anemia, which causes a lack of oxygen in your body. Both are caused by malfunctioning kidneys.
6. Back pain
Kidneys that are on the verge of failure can also cause back pain. This type of back pain is deep and is caused in the lower back, below the rib cage (6). Because of its close proximity to the following areas, you may feel it in your hips or groin. Such pains are generally the result of cysts in your kidneys and may be accompanied by fever, vomiting and frequent urination.
7. Swollen feet, ankles and hands
By now, you’ve learned that kidney problems equal excess fluid in your system. This extra fluid causes sodium to be retained in various parts of your body, which in turn leads to inflammation in your hands, feet, and ankles. However, it is necessary to bear in mind that this inflammation (especially in the lower part of the body) can also signal liver or heart disease or problems in the veins.
8. Puffy Eyes
One of the first indicators that your kidney health is going downhill is swollen eyes. This swelling is caused by excess protein in your urine. Your kidneys start carrying large amounts of protein in your urine instead of distributing it to different parts of your body.
9. High blood pressure
In order for your body to function well, your kidneys and circulatory system form a symbiotic relationship. This means that when your kidneys are damaged, you can expect your blood pressure to shoot up. To explain further, the kidneys consist of nephrons, which are responsible for filtering waste materials and excess fluid from your blood. However, when your blood vessels are damaged, your nephrons are unable to get enough nutrients and oxygen, leading to an increase in blood pressure.
10. Changes in urination
From color and odor to frequency and appearance, changes in urination are generally a sign that something is wrong with your kidneys. Some of the common symptoms that indicate kidney problems include frequent urination at night and bloody or foamy urine.
If you notice these symptoms, do not stop with self-diagnosis. Getting professional help is the only way to treat all kinds of kidney problems. Follow:
