Kidney disease is a silent threat, creeping up unnoticed until it reaches a critical stage. However, catching it early can make all the difference. By recognizing the early warning signs and making lifestyle changes, you can protect your kidneys and potentially save your life. (Related: Cleaning the cleaners: Herbs that help maintain healthy kidneys.)
Some of the early warning signs are easy to spot, such as your skin becoming sallow or taking on a more yellowish complexion, your lips darkening, your tongue turning a deep red shade with a bluish tint and thick wide coating, a strong odor of urine coming from your body and full-body swelling.
Paying attention to what your body is telling you could help you catch kidney issues early before they become more serious problems down the line. Here are some of the other signs of kidney disease.
Ammonia-like breath
Ammonia-like odor on your breath could be a sign that your kidneys are not filtering waste effectively. When kidney function declines, waste products, including urea, can build up in the blood. Urea breaks down to form ammonia, which can cause your breath to have a distinctive, unpleasant odor. This symptom often appears as kidney function deteriorates.
Blood in your urine
Seeing blood in your urine is a serious signal or red flag that something might be wrong. Normally, your kidneys keep blood cells in the body when filtering out waste, but when their filters are damaged, blood cells can leak into the urine. Blood in the urine can be linked to kidney disease, as well as infections, kidney stones or tumors.
Cold intolerance
If you're feeling unusually cold all the time, it could be related to kidney disease. Reduced kidney function can lead to anemia, which decreases your body's ability to regulate temperature. Anemia, along with the overall metabolic changes that occur with kidney disease, can make you more sensitive to cold temperatures.
Dry, itchy skin
Your kidneys do more than filter waste – they also help regulate and maintain the balance of minerals and nutrients in your body, keep your bones strong and produce red blood cells. When kidney function is compromised and declines, your skin might start feeling dry and itchy due to imbalances in minerals and nutrients. This could be an early warning of bone and mineral disorders associated with kidney disease.
Feeling more tired or foggy
If you're feeling unusually tired, low on energy or struggling to concentrate, it might be more than just a rough day, days or week. As your kidneys lose their ability to filter waste from your blood, toxins and waste products can build up – making you feel exhausted and mentally foggy. Kidney-related anemia is another factor that can contribute to this overwhelming sense of fatigue or general body malaise.
Muscle cramps
Frequent muscle cramps could be linked to kidney issues. Imbalances in electrolytes, such as calcium and phosphorus, which are managed by your kidneys, can lead to cramping, great discomfort and pain.
Puffy or swollen eyes
Waking up with puffy eyes that don't seem to go away could be an early indication of kidney trouble. This puffiness can result from your kidneys leading protein into your urine – resulting to fluid retention around your eyes.
Reduced appetite
Losing interest in food can be caused by many things, but it is also a symptom of declining kidney function. As waste builds up in your body due to poor kidney filtration, you may find that you simply don't feel like eating.
Restless leg syndrome
Characterized by an uncomfortable urge to move your legs, restless leg syndrome (RLS) is often accompanied by uncontrollable sensations. It is commonly associated with kidney disease due to the buildup of toxins in the blood, which can affect nerve function. RLS can disrupt your sleep and significantly impact quality of life – making it another important symptom to be aware of.
Struggling to sleep
Trouble falling or staying asleep might be a sign that your kidneys are not doing their job. When they are not filtering properly, toxins and waste products remain in your bloodstream, which can disrupt your sleep. There is also a connection between kidney disease and sleep disorders like sleep apnea – especially in people who are overweight.
Swollen ankles and feet
If your ankles and feet are swelling up, it could be due to sodium retention from reduced kidney function. While this symptom can also be related to heart or liver issues or problems with leg veins, it is a common sign of kidney dysfunction.
By recognizing these early signs, you can take proactive steps to protect your kidney health. If any of these symptoms resonate with you, it is important to seek professional medical advice and address potential kidney issues before they progress.
Taking care of your kidneys is essential for overall health and it can be as simple as staying active and fit, avoiding smoking, eating a balanced diet and regularly consulting with your trusted health care practitioner.
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