13 Signs of Kidney Disease You Should Never Ignore

Only 10% of the 26 million patients with Chronic Kidney Disease living in the US know that they have it. One of the main reasons for this under-diagnosis is that symptoms of kidney disease are vague and can be caused by many other illnesses. They also creep on over time, appearing at different times, rather than all at once. This makes it harder to realise that all your symptoms are related.

It's best if Chronic Kidney Disease can be diagnosed at this early stage, allowing patients to be monitored and treated as necessary, slowing long-term damage and loss of kidney function, as far as possible.

Complications of CKD

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) can cause many complications, including: anaemia, excessive potassium levels, weak bones leading to fractures, pregnancy complications causing problems for the expectant mother and unborn foetus, and a higher risk of infection.

It is for that reason that kidney function is monitored if you have been diagnosed with CKD, and that you are tested annually for CKD if you are in an at-risk group. Kidney function can be assessed with a simple blood test.

At risk-groups include:

• Over 60s
• Diabetics
• People with high blood pressure
• People with family history
• Are from a population with a higher risk, such as African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, and Native Americans.

Different-Looking Urine

Urine color can tell a lot about your health and health of your kidneys. If your urine looks foamy/frothy, or there's visible blood in it, these could both be signs of kidney disease.

Froth, foam or bubbles in the urine suggest a high level of protein in the urine (proteinuria). Meanwhile, blood leaking into the urine (haematuria) is a sign that kidney damage is preventing your kidneys filtering the blood cells.

Different Frequency of Urination

If you find yourself urinating more (especially at night), urinating less, or struggling to urinate at all, consider seeing your doctor.

Needing to urinate more is a sign that the filters in the kidneys are damaged. However, some patients find the urge desperate but that they strain to produce two or three drops when they get there. This may also be a sign of a urinary tract infection, so always ask a doctor.

Swelling

Damaged kidneys no longer filter all the extra fluid. This then builds up in your body. Be especially aware of swelling feet, ankles (especially swelling that stops you fitting your shoes) and puffiness around your eyes (especially when you first wake up).

Itchy Skin and Rashes

When our kidneys can no longer remove waste products from our bodies, they build up and cause itchy skin and rashes.

Nausea and Vomiting

Uraemia (where waste products are unable to be excreted and collect in your body) is one of the leading causes of nausea and vomiting. You may feel so nauseous it's difficult to take your prescribed medication without vomiting. If that is the case, you should see a doctor, whatever the cause. There is a wide range of anti-emetics that may help, depending on your personal circumstances.

More Symptoms of Kidney Disease You Must Not Ignore

Bad Taste in Mouth or Ammonia Breath

As uraemia builds, not only can it cause nausea and vomiting, it can also cause a metallic, bad taste in mouth. This taste makes food taste different (it has been compared to eating iron), and may put you off eating altogether. This may lead to weight-loss.

Another problem you may have is ammonia or "urine"-like breath. If you notice this, or someone tells you that you have this problem, see a doctor as soon as practical.

Tiredness

Although tiredness is a very general symptom, it is worth investigating if it's prolonged (especially if linked to other symptoms). There are two possible reasons why CKD might make you tired. First, the toxins and waste products that collect in the blood over time can make patients feel tired, weak, and generally unwell. Secondly, CKD leads to anaemia. Correctly-functioning kidneys produce erythropoietin, which tell your body to produce the red blood cells. When your body can't produce the same amount of erythropoietin, anaemia sets in, and leads to constant tiredness.

Difficulty Concentrating

Aside from tiredness, CKD-related anaemia can also lead to difficulty concentrating and memory problems.

Shortness of Breath

There are two ways that CKD can cause shortness of breath. Firstly by leading to anaemia, which is - as discussed - one of the major complications of Chronic Kidney Disease, and which has shortness of breath as one of its main symptoms. The second way it causes shortness of breath is by leading to build-up of fluid in the lungs.

Feeling Cold

As anaemia increases with kidney disease, you can feel very cold, even in summer. Some people with kidney disease are always cold, regardless of the number of layers that they wear or the weather outside. If you're always shivering in winter woollies, while your family are in summer shorts, consider asking for a blood test.

Insomnia

The waste products that build in the body can make it difficult to sleep. There is also a link between sleep apnoea (a condition where you briefly stop breathing in your sleep, which is linked with sleep deprivation) and CKD.

Back, Flank or Leg Pain

The pain of CKD can be felt in the middle to lower back, to the back and side of the affected side of your body (this is known as flank pain), or in the leg.

Muscle Cramps

Electrolyte imbalance in Chronic Kidney Disease can lead to low calcium levels and poorly-managed phosphorous levels, which can lead to muscle cramping.