Symptoms of Chronic Kidney Disease
Signs of chronic kidney disease (CKD) are not easy to detect in the early stages as kidney disease symptoms vary for every individual. And often the symptoms are exhibited when kidney function is substantially impaired. This is the reason kidney disease is referred to as a “silent condition.”
Over 10% of the global population is affected by some degree of CKD and a sizable number among them face the chance of profession to end-stage kidney failure. Therefore, it is critical to be watchful of any kidney disease symptoms that may appear.
The most common signs of kidney failure or advanced-stage kidney disease are outlined below, however, the symptoms of CKD are mostly non-specific in nature and can also be caused by other health conditions. Talk to your doctor if you have any of these symptoms for an accurate diagnosis.
Symptoms of CKD: what you may experience and why
You are always tired and feel too fatigued to lead a normal life
When kidney function is decreased, there is a buildup of toxins and waste products in your blood, which may cause tiredness. Kidney damage also leads to shortage of oxygen-carrying red blood cells (RBC), leading to anemia, a condition that can make you feel tired and weak.
You are out of breath frequently after very little effort
If there is fluid retention in the body due to impaired kidney function, there could be fluid buildup in your lungs putting pressure on your airways and making it difficult for you to breathe. Anemia, a side effect of CKD, can also cause shortness of breath.
You have trouble focusing and often forget things
This can occur due to a variety of underlying causes including anemia and buildup of toxins due to declining kidney function. Anemia can also stem from kidney damage. Therefore, cognitive issues, such as reasoning, memory, and concentration, may be associated with CKD.
You have trouble falling asleep, cannot sleep through the night, or wake up feeling breathless
A damaged kidney retains toxins and fluids in the body and can affect the normal functioning of other organs, including the nervous system. And any change in the nervous system can in turn affect sleep patterns. Breathlessness at night may also result from fluid buildup in the lungs when you lie down.
You need to urinate more frequently or experience unusual pressure when passing urine
The kidney’s primary function is to flush out toxins and waste from the blood and maintain fluid balance in the body. The excess fluid and flushed-out toxins form urine, which moves down to the bladder. Any dysfunction in the kidneys can impact urination frequency.
Your urine is of unusual color or consistency, such as dark or foamy
When kidneys are failing, the increased concentration of toxins, including blood, can make urine dark-colored. Impaired kidney function also leads to too much protein leaking into the urine, making it foamy.
Your skin is excessively dry or itchy, there is discoloration on your nails or dark patches on your skin
A decline in kidney function leads to an imbalance of minerals in your body along with buildup of toxins. Elevated levels of calcium, phosphorus, and other minerals can lead to issues with your skin and nails.
You have puffiness around your eyes or swelling in your limbs or face
A decline in kidney function leads to fluid buildup in the body. And sometimes protein is leaked into the urine. This can cause fluid to move into the tissues resulting in swollen eyes or limbs.
You don’t feel like eating, you feel nauseous or have a bad taste in your mouth
Impaired kidney function leads to buildup of toxins in your body. When the toxins that should have been flushed through your urine remain in your body, the condition is called uremia. And it causes side effects such as loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, an odd taste in your mouth, and even bad breath.
You experience frequent muscle cramps
Kidney failure causes an imbalance in fluids and electrolytes in the body which can lead to cramping of muscles, especially in the legs.