Acute or chronic kidney failure is a serious medical condition which occurs due to impaired kidney function. The kidneys contain about 2 million nephrons, and filter 3-4 l. of blood every 5 minutes, which makes them highly important for our overall health. They never stop working, which is why it’s vital to protect them if we want to stay healthy.
Just like with any other ailment, prevention of kidney failure is better than treating the problem. The body sends 8 warning signals just before the kidneys begin failing, and you need to learn how to recognize them on time to prevent further damage. Here are 8 common symptoms of kidney failure you need to know:
Swelling and inflammation
When the kidneys are inflamed and not working properly, they won’t be able to eliminate the excess fluid from the body, which will eventually result in inflammation and swelling in the legs and feet. If you notice this symptom, we suggest visiting your doctor ASAP.
Changes in the urinary cycle
The color, texture and smell of your urine can indicate problems within the kidneys, as can any kind of change in your urinary cycle. If you notice trouble urinating, pain during urination, small amounts of urine, foamy urine or pressure while urinating, it may be a sign of kidney failure. In this case, you need to visit your doctor immediately.
Skin rashes
Improperly functioning kidneys won’t be able to remove toxins from the blood, which will definitely show up on the skin in the form of rashes.
Fatigue
The kidneys produce a hormone known as EPO which regulates the red blood cell amount. Once the organ stops working, the same hormone will cause fatigue and low energy levels. If you’re feeling tired and dizzy without an apparent reason, you may want to visit your doctor.
Shortness of breath
Shortness of breath is one of the most commonly overlooked symptoms of kidney failure. The accumulation of toxins in the blood will lower the oxygen flow in many organs including the lungs, resulting in shortness of breath.
A metallic taste in the mouth
Kidney failure has been known to cause a metallic taste in the mouth, which occurs due to the accumulation of toxins in the cells and tissues.
Low back pain
As the kidneys are located just beneath the lower back, any kind of problem within may manifest through low back pain.
Nausea, dizziness and loss of focus
When the kidneys aren’t working properly, they won’t be able to supply clean blood to the brain and other tissues, resulting in neurological problems such as dizziness and loss of focus. People with acute kidney failure have been reporting symptoms such as dizziness, nausea and memory loss, which clearly shows that there’s a link.
Acute renal failure may be caused by other ailments, and it often shows no symptoms at all. If you suspect some kind of problem with your kidneys, blood and urine tests are taken. The doctor then checks for increased blood urea and creatinine or reduced urine volume which can say a lot about your kidney health.
Sometimes, the only way to check for kidney damage or failure is an ultrasound test or renal biopsy. The faster the disease is diagnosed, the better your chances of reversing the damage to your kidneys. Kidney failure is often a secondary condition caused by complex surgeries and serious injuries in which the blood supply to the kidneys is impaired. Luckily, in this case the damage is often reversible.
Old age, diabetes, inflammation, infections, high blood pressure, hepatic base problems, prostatic hypertrophy and bladder obstructions can also lead to renal failure, which is why you need to prevent these diseases and conditions as well by leading a healthier lifestyle.
