1. Changes in Urination
The kidneys work hard all day long to produce urine; therefore, when they aren’t working up to par they instantly start showing signs of trouble through this waste. First and foremost, frequent urination, especially at night, might be an initial indication that a person could be suffering from kidney failure. Another thing to look at closely, is the color of your urine; which can range from very dark orange to almost clear. It’s important to note, while people who drink a lot of water during the day may have a lighter color of urine, it should not be clear, but rather a fainter yellow. Other changes in urination to note include: noticing that your urine is bubbling, foaming, or almost looking as if it’s boiling. Blood in the urine is also a telltale sign that kidneys are in trouble.
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2. Swollen Limbs
When your kidneys stop working normally, they store that extra fluid anywhere they can find a space at within the body. This means a patient may have legs that are swollen, arms, hands, or their face. At first, most individuals notice their ankles swelling at night, or a puffy face out of nowhere; and then they may begin to see the swelling expand to other areas of their body. Swollen limbs can be a sign and symptom of a wide variety of other illnesses and conditions, that are unrelated to kidney failure. If you notice this happening to you or a loved one, a visit to the doctor, is highly encouraged.
3. Exhaustion
Your kidneys are hard workers. They not only produce urine all day long, but they also make erythropoietin, which is a hormone that is required to create red blood cells. When your kidneys breakdown, they decrease production of erythropoietin, which results in anemia. Thankfully, anemia can be treated after a visit to your family doctor, however, this condition does stand as one of many reasons why those who suffer from kidney disease and failure are so tired. Another reason is behind electrolyte imbalance, which causes muscle weakness as well. Sadly, those who suffer from kidney failure end up feeling weak and tired, even after a day of rest. This exhaustion interferes significantly with daily routines, where patients are so tired, they are unable to go to work, or even perform the simplest of tasks like cleaning up the house, getting dressed, or even preparing meals.
4. Itchy Skin
The kidneys also take waste particles out of the blood, so when they are not functioning properly on individual, the result is backed up waste traveling through the blood. As such, this back up begins to show in signs of dry, itchy skin patches all over the body; usually popping up on the limbs, back, head, and chest. This severe itchiness can be quite uncomfortable, and can distract patients from their day-to-day activities. Over-the-counter creams cannot solve this itchiness issue, and booking a doctor’s appointment in this case, is a must.
5. Foul Taste in Mouth
When a patient suffers from kidney issues, they can also suffer from uremia; one of the final stages of kidney disease. The waste particles develop such an excessive buildup inside a person’s body, that they gain a metallic taste in their mouth as a result. Therefore, foods begin to ‘taste different’, and often some kidney disease sufferers report they no longer could consume some of their favorite foods, such as meats, or breads due to the foul taste. Then, a domino affect takes over, where many lose their appetite. No eating, means no vitamins and minerals entering the body, thus enhancing the feeling of tiredness.
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6. Vomiting
Vomiting is never an enjoyable experience, and sadly this symptom is a very popular side effect of kidney failure. Patients experience the itchy skin first, then the constant nausea, followed by a few days of vomiting. Add in the foul taste when eating foods, and this often creates a further feeling of general sickness. Those who suffer from kidney failure often confusing this vomiting/nausea symptom for the flu or even food poisoning and don’t seek treatment for their kidney issue early enough to prevent it from becoming severe. Being tuned into the early warning signs, and seeking advice from your family doctor, is key, when it comes to kidney failure.
7. Inability to Breathe
When you begin to have trouble breathing, you know something in the body isn’t sitting well. Catching your breath, paying more attention to when you inhale and exhale, or having difficulty breathing while your activity level is low are all symptomatic of kidney failure. The reason for this is due to fluid traveling to the lungs, and the body being deprived of red blood cells from the lack of regular kidney function.
8. Memory Issues
As you get older, you tend to naturally become more forgetful; however, that isn’t the kind of memory loss kidney illness causes. This version is more of a lack in concentration initially, followed by dizzy spells, resulting in memory issues. The reasoning behind these memory issues is due to the increased levels of toxins that build up in the blood because of the kidney malfunction.
9. Cold or Chilly
Often women are usually colder than men, bundling up at nights in bed, even in the dead of a sweltering summer. However, when it comes to kidney failure, a cold or chilly sensation is far more consuming than wearing flannel on a cool summer night. It is actually a sign of anemia taking its course, and causing your temperature to be challenging to sustain. Increasing your iron intake, drinking more water, and of course getting your kidneys evaluated by a doctor, will all aide in helping this type of symptom.
10. Flank Pains
Many experience what is known as flank pain, which is basically soreness near the top of the abdomen, sides of the midsection, or middle portion of the back. This location coincides with where the kidneys are kept, and can be an indication of severe kidney disorder. Most patients experience flank pains after their diagnosis or once their condition has gone from bad to worse.
Kidneys are not something to take a chance with; if you feel pain, or soreness at any point that doesn’t subside in a day or two, consult a medical professional. Additionally, if your urinary patterns have drastically changed, or if you notice blood in your urine - make an appointment to be evaluated just to be on the safe side.
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