While almost 40 million adults in the U.S. have been diagnosed with kidney disease, not a lot of people are aware of its biggest signs and symptoms. In fact, the majority of people with kidney disease don’t even know they have it until they visit the doctor for symptoms that occur in the later stages of the disease.
Signs You May Have Kidney Disease
The only way to know for sure is to be tested, but you can still learn some of the telltale signals that could indicate kidney disease in the early stages. It is important to visit your internist in Los Angeles to find out whether or not you are at risk for this common ailment. Keep reading to see 5 of the biggest signs and symptoms that indicate kidney disease.
Dry Skin
Skin that is constantly dry and flaking may signify kidney disease. One of the many functions that your kidney performs is maintaining the right number of healthy minerals in your body. Minerals help to strengthen bones and keep skin moisturized. A failing kidney may not be able to manage this as well, leaving your skin to dry up and get itchy.
Puffy Eyes
If you have puffy and irritated eyes that won’t go away no matter how much sleep you get or ointment you apply, this could be a sure-fire sign of imminent kidney failure. When your kidney fails to properly process the protein in your urine, it can leak out of your body rather than process through your urine. This excess of protein can build up under the eyes and cause a lot of bodily irritation.
Foam or Blood in the Urine
One of the most common signs of kidney disease is foam in the urine and possibly even blood in the urine. This is another sign of a buildup of excess protein, especially if it gets to the point where you have to flush several times to get rid of it all the way. When protein (in the case of foam) and red blood cells (in the case of blood) leak out of your urine, it could mean that you are dealing with disease, kidney stones, or a bad infection.
Swollen Ankles and Feet
Are your joints swelling up? A decreasing kidney function could make your body retain sodium, which comes from salt in most foods. This sodium causes your feet and hands to swell up, a dangerous symptom. Be sure to visit your kidney doctor right away if this problem remains after several days or weeks.
Exhaustion and Inability to Sleep
If you find that you are constantly tired, but you can’t fall asleep easily, you might want to make an appointment with your kidney specialist to see if your inability to sleep is caused by kidney disease. If it gets to the point where you are losing focus throughout the day or having trouble concentrating, get in touch with your emergency doctor right away.
Get Effective Treatment for Kidney Disease Right Away
If you worry that you may be struggling with the effects of kidney disease after dealing with one or more symptoms, get in touch with Dr. Gura right away. We can refer you to the best kidney dialysis specialist in Los Angels, where we provide in-house treatments to combat kidney disease and prolong your life. Kidney disease can cause an irregular breakdown of several nutrients and proteins in your body, causing life-threatening deficiencies and a myriad of symptoms that can worsen over time. Contact us today to schedule your one-on-one consultation with Dr. Gura.