Kidney issues can be very serious once detected as they come with strong and painful symptoms. Many patients do not recognize symptoms of kidney disease right away, prolonging their problems whether or not they are aware of them. It can be tricky to spot some of the warning signs, which is why our certified nephrologist in Beverly Hills encourages everyone to schedule check-ups as often as they can.
Top 5 Warning Signs of Kidney Problems
Below, we are going to talk about the top 5 warning signs of kidney problems that you may or may not be experiencing based on your current state of health. If you believe that any of these symptoms apply to you, please make an appointment with us as soon as you can to prevent your kidney issues from getting worse.
Urine Issues – Blood, Foam, and Dark Colors
The kidneys function as a natural filter inside your body, absorbing vital nutrients from the food you eat and throwing away the rest. Kidneys filter waste into urine, which you expel every time you pee. If your urine looks different than it normally does, this may be a sign of kidney troubles. The most typical symptoms include bloody, foamy, or darkly-colored urine. This signals an excess of protein in your kidneys. The kidneys should be absorbing the protein rather than producing it as waste.
Swelling in the Feet and Ankles
Swollen ankles, feet, and calves can signify kidney issues along with a blood sugar imbalance. If your kidneys are not functioning properly, then your body might retain more sodium than it normally would. This causes major swelling inside your body as the saline fluid has nowhere to go. If your swollen feet and ankles have not gotten better after a few weeks and you have tried several remedies, you need to get in touch with a kidney specialist right away.
Fatigue
If you are finding it harder and harder to sleep at night, there may be a variety of external factors keeping you awake. Lack of sleep can have a major impact on the health of your kidneys and all of your organs. Kidney researchers have found that kidneys follow your sleep-wake cycle, so interrupting those patterns can interrupt the function of your kidneys as well. Similarly, when your kidneys continue to lose function, you will find it difficult to sleep. If fatigue has caught up to you and you cannot move past it, reach out to your kidney specialist for help right away.
Flaky Skin
Dry and flaky skin can come from a variety of causes, but it is very strongly linked to problems with the kidneys. Kidneys help keep your body balanced from the outside in, ensuring you are getting the right minerals and chemicals all day long. If your kidneys have been thrown out of wack, then you might have increasingly dry and flaky skin. No amount of product or conditioning will help your skin if it stems from a problem with your kidneys
Itchy Eyes
Puffy bags under your eyes can be a huge indicator that something is wrong with your kidneys. This can be exacerbated by your inability to sleep, which can make your eyes feel tired throughout the day. Puffiness happens when blood clots and fat get stuck under your eyes, causing a puffy lump. These symptoms should give you insight into how much the kidneys affect all other functions in the body
If you are worried that you might be exhibiting some of these symptoms, make an appointment with our kidney disease specialist, Dr. Gura. We offer a full range of kidney health services that can keep you on the right track to better future health.