• Top 5 Warning Signs of Kidney Problems

    on January 24th, 2024

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.

You Might Also Enjoy...

Does Diabetes Risk Increase After COVID?

While 2020 is becoming more and more a year of the past, we are still seeing some new and interesting things happen as a result of COVID-19. The pandemic continues to sweep across...

February 24th, 2023
Is a Physical Exam the Same Thing as a Checkup?

Your primary care physician should be contacted to schedule an annual exam. There are many guidelines regarding how often someone should have their physical and mental health checked,...

December 19th, 2022
Kidney Dialysis Myths and Facts

Kidney dialysis is a long-term treatment that can extend the lives of people dealing with kidney failure. Kidney disease, in its advanced stages, causes so much damage to the organs that they can no longer filter blood,...

November 14th, 2022
Questions to Ask During Physical Exam

To schedule an annual exam, your primary care physician should be the one you contact. There are many recommendations about how often someone should be examined, depending on age and other medical conditions. Your internist in Los Angeles can...

July 18th, 2022
What is Dialysis and Do I Need It?

Dialysis is a treatment that's meant for people with failing kidneys. Your kidneys can't filter your blood properly if you have kidney disease. This causes your blood to become increasingly clogged with waste and toxicity, creating illness as time goes on...

June 16th, 2022
What Is Kidney Removal Surgery?

The main treatment for most renal cancers is kidney removal surgery. A nephrectomy is a surgical procedure that involves removing all or part of the kidney. Some patients may need to have nearby tissues removed and lymph nodes removed...

May 20th, 2022
Ask us

Feel free to email us regarding any scheduling or general questions!

Name
Email Address
Phone
Comments

Follow Us
Hours