Our nephrologists previously discussed kidney disease causes and risk factors. Now, we'll cover its warning signs and how to maintain kidney health. It's crucial to always be aware: if you notice any unusual bodily signals, consult a doctor for diagnosis.
When kidneys malfunction, the body struggles to eliminate waste, leading to various symptoms. Patients may experience fatigue, weakness, unexplained weight loss, or, conversely, swelling, pale skin, easy bruising, and foamy urine. Impaired kidney function also impacts other bodily systems, as detailed below:
Patients often report loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, a bitter taste, or altered taste perception. Some may even experience gastrointestinal bleeding.
Reduced kidney function can lead to difficulty excreting urine and electrolytes, causing shortness of breath (especially when lying flat), high blood pressure, an enlarged heart, weakened heart muscle, pericarditis, fluid accumulation around the heart, and pulmonary edema.
Peripheral neuropathy can cause numbness in hands and feet, muscle twitching, cramps, and muscle weakness. Without timely treatment from a nephrologist, this can progress to seizures, unconsciousness, and be life-threatening.
Kidneys synthesize Vitamin D, vital for mineral and bone balance. Dysfunction often results in low blood calcium, leading to fragile bones and osteoporosis.
Read more: Osteoporosis: A Silent Threat to the Elderly
In early kidney failure, patients often experience frequent nighttime urination with pale urine. As kidney function declines or kidney failure progresses, urine output decreases significantly.
In end-stage renal disease, kidneys fail to produce hormones that stimulate red blood cell production in bone marrow, leading to anemia and pale skin. Platelet function also becomes impaired, causing easy bleeding, bruising, and prolonged bleeding from wounds.
Patients with kidney failure typically have weakened immune systems, increasing their susceptibility to various infections.
Kidneys produce and regulate several hormones. Dysfunction can lead to abnormalities in hormones like parathyroid hormone and sex hormones (from ovaries and testes).
If you're concerned after reading this or wish to check for initial symptoms, you can consult a nephrologist at Ramkhamhaeng Hospital 24 hours a day. Living well is good, but prioritizing health to avoid illness is better.
