The kidneys are bean-shaped, fist-sized organs found in the human body. The role of these organs is to filter waste out from the blood. This waste then gets eliminated from the body through urination. Kidney problems are conditions that affect the proper functioning of the kidneys. Those who are patients of high blood pressure or diabetes are at a greater risk of developing kidney problems. Herein, we discuss the various aspects related to problems surrounding this organ.
Signs and symptoms of kidney problems
There are many potentially early indicators of kidney problems or chronic kidney disease. Chronic kidney disease causes severe damage that can get worse over time and can lead to kidney failure. Here are some of the key symptoms you need to watch out for:
Shortness of breath
If you are always short of breath after very little effort, one reason for this symptoms can be fluid buildup in the lungs. In some cases, such a buildup can occur due to anemia as well, which can leave your body oxygen-starved resulting in shortness of breath. Further, you will feel dizzy or weak due to the lowered levels of oxygen in the brain.
Trouble getting sleep
If your kidneys are not functioning properly or not filtering your blood efficiently, you are likely to face sleeping difficulties. When the kidneys aren’t functioning properly, toxins remain in the blood rather than being eliminated from the body through the urine. Thus, sleep apnea is more common among patients with chronic kidney disease.
Dry and itchy skin
When toxins are not filtered and eliminated from the body, they accumulate and cause various conditions such as dry and itchy skin. Such a symptom could be an indicator of advanced kidney disease.
Frequent urge to urinate
The frequent urge to urinate especially during the night can be a sign of kidney problems. Kidney damage that can affect the way in which the kidneys filter out waste can cause the frequent urge to urinate and urinary infection. It can also result in an enlarged prostate in men.
Blood in the urine
Blood in the urine can be a sign of kidney problems or issues with the urinary tract.
In addition to the above, kidney problems could cause symptoms like trouble thinking clearly, swelling in the hands or feet, swollen or puffy face, food tasting like metal, ammonia breath, stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, foamy or bubbly urine, and pressure exerted on the body while urinating.
Causes of kidney problems
Two major factors that can lead to kidney disease are high blood pressure and diabetes. High blood sugar affects the ability of the kidneys to filter out waste from the blood. Over time, the kidneys get severely damaged and fail to function properly. One of the first signs of kidney problems due to diabetes is protein in the urine.
On the other hand, high blood pressure damages the blood vessels of the kidneys. This damage results in various kidney problems. Various other factors can also cause kidney problems are genetic disorders that cause the development of cysts in the kidneys, any known or unknown infections, various medications that are toxic for the kidneys, auto-immune diseases, heavy metal poisoning, and hemolytic uremic syndrome in children.
Treatment of kidney problems
The treatment of a kidney problem depends on its cause and symptoms. Fundamentaly, these treatment options are meant to control the symptoms, reduce complications, and slow down the progress of the issue.
Doctors usually prescribe or recommend treatment options like medications for lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels, reducing swelling, anemia, protection of your bones.
If the symptoms are a lot more severe as far as the stage of kidney disease is concerned, treatments may include dialysis and kidney transplant. If you have any medical condition that is likely to make you more prone to developing kidney problems, it is advisable to meet a nephrologist at the earliest.
