The kidneys are vital organs that perform certain key
functions without which it becomes practically impossible for the body to
thrive. Some of the fundamental roles the kidneys play involve excretion of
nitrogenous waste products and toxins from the body system; maintenance of
fluid and electrolyte balance; synthesis of erythropoietin to drive red blood
cell production and regulation of Blood Pressure.
From the aforementioned, it is obvious that failure of both
kidneys has grave implications for the affected individual. But do the kidneys
have to fail before medical help and intervention is sought? The answer is NO.
Discussed below are some of the warning or alarm signs that
may point to failing kidneys, necessitating an urgent visit to your doctor for
proper evaluation and management:
1. Change in urine volume
If you have observed that you now pass large volumes of
urine more often than usual (polyuria), especially if you need to urinate more
than 2-3 times at night (nocturia), you may need to see the doctor for further
evaluation of your kidneys. In the same vein, reduction in urine output (oliguria)
may be a pointer to Acute Kidney Injury. In any case, if you have observed any
persistent changes in your urine output, go and see the doctor.
2. Frothiness/Foaminess of the urine
Did you notice that your urine foams excessively and over a
prolonged period? It may be due to large quantities of protein leaking into
your urine because of damaged kidneys. You will be doing yourself a lot of good
to have your kidneys assessed properly.
This is a condition in which an individual passes blood -
frank or altered in the urine. It's an alarm symptom that can be due to myriads
of problems affecting the kidneys, ureters or the bladder. Some of the common
causes are acute glomerulonephritis, sickle cell nephropathy, polycystic kidney
disease, renal cancer, stones along the urinary tract, schistosomiasis and so
on. Moreover, the bottom line is that the comprehensive evaluation of the
kidneys to exclude a renal disease is crucial in this case.
4. Body swelling
Early morning facial swelling or puffiness that regresses as
the day goes by is especially suggestive of 'faulty' kidneys. Eventually, the
swelling may progress to involve the entire body (anasarca). However,
malnutrition, cardiac or liver diseases may also give a similar picture. If you
have this symptom, it's necessary to present to the physician.
5. Persistent hiccups
Inability of the failing kidneys to excrete urea (one of the
waste products) ultimately leads to an accumulation of this toxic substance in
the blood (uraemia) and this often irritates the diaphragm, leading to
persistent hiccups.
6. Body itching/Pruritus
This is another manifestation of accumulated toxic waste
products in the bloodstream. Hence, if you experience persistent body itching,
assessing your renal function may be of tremendous benefit.
7. Lethargy and Fatigue
Patients with chronic renal disease often complain of easy
fatiguability upon little or no exertion. This is understandable given the role
of the kidneys in red blood cell production such that failure of both kidneys
is likely to lead to low blood levels (Anaemia) and consequent inability to
cope with the demands of body tissues.
8. Shortness of breath
Based on the fact that the kidneys are responsible for
maintaining body fluid balance, when the kidneys fail, accumulation of fluids
in both lungs may result and this interferes with gaseous exchange in the lung
alveoli thereby making breathing difficult if not impossible.
9. Nausea/Vomiting
Some patients with kidney failure complain of persistent
nausea and a tendency to throw up all the time. Again, this is likely due to
waste products of metabolism, especially urea that has accumulated in the body
due to renal disease.
10. Pain in the loins/flanks
The kidneys are situated in the loins. Hence, the recurrent
or persistent flank pain may be a pointer to kidney diseases due to stones
(nephrolithiasis), infection (pyelonephritis) or cysts (polycystic kidney
disease). Obviously, persistent loin pain warrants further evaluation in a
hospital.
In conclusion, it is pertinent to note that definite renal
replacement therapy for End-Stage Kidney Disease is so capital-intensive that
it's beyond the reach of the common man. Hence, early intervention to prevent
or slow down the progression to End-Stage Kidney Disease may be life-saving.
But this is only possible when patients recognize the early warning signs of
kidney disease and make themselves available on time for proper evaluation.
Photo credit: www.healingthebody.ca
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