Your kidneys work silently every day to remove waste and excess fluid, maintain blood pressure, and keep the body’s fluids and minerals balanced.
The challenge is that kidney disease often has no symptoms in its early stages. However, certain warning signs should prompt you to get your kidneys checked.
1. Swelling of the feet or around the eyes
Swelling of the ankles, feet or puffiness around the eyes can occur when the kidneys are unable to remove excess salt and fluid.
2. Persistent foamy urine
Occasional bubbles are usually harmless. But persistent frothy or foamy urine may indicate protein in the urine, which can be an early sign of kidney damage.
3. Blood in the urine
Blood in the urine should never be ignored, even if there is no pain. It can occur with kidney stones, infections or other kidney and urinary tract conditions.
4. Changes in urination
Passing urine much more or much less than usual, frequent nighttime urination, or significant changes in urine colour can sometimes indicate a kidney or urinary problem.
5. Unexplained tiredness
Advanced kidney disease can cause anaemia and accumulation of waste products, leading to persistent tiredness, weakness and poor concentration.
6. Nausea or loss of appetite
Reduced kidney function can cause waste products to build up in the blood, resulting in nausea, vomiting, poor appetite or a metallic taste.
7. Breathlessness
Kidney disease can sometimes cause fluid accumulation or anaemia, both of which may contribute to breathlessness. Sudden or severe breathlessness requires urgent medical attention.
8. Persistent itching or muscle cramps
Advanced kidney disease can cause persistent itching, muscle cramps or weakness because of changes in the body’s mineral and fluid balance.
9. High blood pressure
High blood pressure can damage the kidneys, while kidney disease can make blood pressure difficult to control. Uncontrolled hypertension should always prompt kidney evaluation.
10. Unexplained weight loss or feeling unwell
Loss of appetite, weight loss, poor sleep, weakness or a general feeling of being unwell can occur in advanced kidney disease.
Remember: Kidney Disease Can Be Silent
These symptoms do not necessarily mean you have kidney disease. Many other conditions can cause them.
More importantly, you can have kidney disease without any symptoms at all.
If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, recurrent kidney stones, a family history of kidney disease, or previous kidney problems, regular kidney screening is important.
A basic kidney check usually includes:
- Serum creatinine and eGFR – blood tests to assess kidney function
- Urine protein/albumin test – to detect early kidney damage
- Blood pressure measurement
Don’t wait for symptoms to appear.
Early detection of kidney disease can help slow its progression and protect kidney function.
About Dr. Vinod Kumar K
Dr. Vinod Kumar K is a Senior Consultant Nephrologist and Transplant Physician at Manipal Hospitals, Kanakapura Road, Bengaluru.
Qualifications: MD, DNB (Nephro), MRCP (UK), SCE in Nephro (UK), FRCP (Edin), FASN (USA)
His areas of expertise include chronic kidney disease, dialysis, interventional nephrology and kidney transplantation, including complex and high-risk transplantation.
Website: drvinodkumarkidneycare.in
Appointments: +91 99023 49254