Experts estimate that over 30
million people in the United States have kidney disease, and majority of them
are not even aware of it. That’s because kidney disease usually does not cause
any sign or symptom until such time that the problem has considerably worsened
to the point that those bean-shaped organs are already failing.
It’s true that a person can
survive with only one kidney — some people even came into this world with just
a single kidney! However, no one can continue to exist without any kidney. It’s
exactly for this reason why you should take very good care of your kidneys if
you don’t want to undergo regular dialysis or have a kidney transplant one day
in the future.
There are many different
things that can wreak havoc on your kidneys. Having high blood pressure is one
of those. Another is suffering from type 2 diabetes. Having a family history of
kidney disease is also regarded as a risk factor. So if you have any of these
things that can increase your risk of kidney disease, pay your doctor a visit.
According to health
authorities, the only way to know for certain if you are suffering from kidney
disease is to be tested for it. Also, it’s very important for you to be on the
lookout for some common indicators of kidney disease. Keep on reading this
article in order for you to come across a few signs that your kidneys may be in
some form of danger.
- Skin Dryness and Itchiness
Your kidneys carry out a
number of roles, and one of those is keeping the proper balance of nutrients
and minerals in your blood. Having kidney disease can keep your kidneys from
carrying out such job, and this can leave your skin dry and itchy. See a doctor
if you believe that the dryness and itchiness is not brought about by a skin
condition.
- Fatigue and Cognitive Decline
Toxins
and waste materials can accumulate in your system if you have kidneys that are
no longer functioning optimally. Definitely, that’s something that can leave
you feeling exhausted even after engaging in moderate physical activity only.
It’s not unlikely for you to have trouble concentrating or focusing, too, if
your blood is saturated with impurities.
- Anemia
Physical
and mental exhaustion brought about by kidney disease can also be associated
with anemia, which is one of the complications of kidney disease. That’s
because your kidneys are also tasked at producing hormones that encourage your
bone marrow to produce enough of oxygen-carrying components called red blood
cells or RBCs.
- Sleep Problems
Earlier,
it was mentioned that having kidney disease can cause the accumulation of
poisonous substances and other unnecessary materials in the blood. It’s for
this reason exactly why you may end up sleep deprived if your kidneys are no
longer in tip-top shape. By the way, experts also link sleep apnea, a serious
sleep disorder, to kidney disease.
- Frequent Urge to Pee
Kidneys
that are diseased do not know when to stop removing water from the blood. This
is why it’s not unlikely for a person who is suffering from kidney disease to
constantly rush to the bathroom to urinate. Frequent desire to pee resulting
from kidney problems usually happens at night. You may also notice that your
urine is foamy.
- Swollen Feet and Ankles
If
your kidneys are diseased, it’s not unlikely for sodium to accumulate in your
body. Such can cause you to retain water. You may notice that your feet and
ankles are swollen. The area around your eyes may appear puffy, too. Fluid
retention is also the reason why the blood pressure of someone who has kidney
disease is elevated.
Source : wexlerwallace.com
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