Symptoms of Unhealthy Kidneys

One of our body's most vital and active organs is the kidneys. The typical kidney weighs 110 to 170 grams and is about the size of a cell phone. When a child is born with renal agenesis, a condition of having a single kidney, that single kidney grows until it weighs as much as two kidneys combined. Nephrons are the filtering components for kidneys, with approximately 1 to 2 million nephrons present per kidney. Our kidneys act as blood filters. The kidney's functional components, called nephrons, all work collectively to filter the blood and remove all waste products.

Functions of kidney:

There are four fundamental functions of our kidneys:

1. They remove waste from the blood and excrete it in the form of urine.
2. They control the fluid and chemical balance of the human body.
3. They support the regulation of blood pressure.
4. They produce a hormone known as erythropoietin, which promotes the growth of red blood cells.

There are several other sub-functions of human kidneys.

Why do the kidneys become unhealthy?

When the kidneys become unable to remove wastes from the blood, they may accumulate toxic amounts of waste in the body. The natural chemical balance of blood can become out of control, which is too dangerous. There are numerous factors that can cause kidneys to stop functioning. The fluctuation in the proper functioning of kidneys may be because of chronic renal disease, kidney injury, or another long-term kidney condition: long-term diabetes or long-term high blood pressure.

Other potential causes include kidney failure brought on by prolonged use of pharmaceuticals like aspirin, some chemotherapeutic treatments, and antibiotics. Severe allergic responses and ongoing kidney infections also disturb the normal functioning of the kidneys. Acute kidney failure may also result from blood clots or cholesterol deposits that restrict blood flow in the kidney. There are no indications of kidney failure, but numerous physical symptoms of kidney disease exist, and most individuals mistake them for other illnesses, the researchers claim.

Symptoms of unhealthy kidneys:

A person with kidney disease tends not to experience symptoms until the very late stages of kidney failure. A few alarming signs that can indicate a kidney disease are as follows:

Trouble sleeping

Trouble sleeping might be one of the symptoms of unhealthy kidneys. When the kidneys do not filter the blood properly, a person may have difficulty sleeping. Insomnia and poor self-perceived sleep are common in patients with chronic renal disease. Toxins accumulate in the blood rather than leaving the body through the urine. The situation may make it difficult to fall asleep, resulting in insomnia. People with chronic kidney disease have a higher prevalence of sleep apnea than the general population.

Fatigue

Fatigue is one of the seven symptoms of an unhealthy kidney. During daily work, a person may experience increased fatigue, exhaustion, decreased energy, and difficulty concentrating. A severe decline in kidney function can cause a buildup of toxins and contaminants in the blood that lead people to experience extreme fatigue, weakness, and concentration issues. Anemia, a decrease in red blood cell count, is another kidney disease impact that can cause weakness and exhaustion.

Increased urination

A person may experience the need to urinate more frequently as a result of having unhealthy kidneys. You may have renal disease if you experience an increased urge to urinate, especially at night. The kidney functions like a filter for toxins, but the bulk of the fluid it removes is reabsorbed (maintaining a water balance is crucial to prevent excessive fluid loss). Impairment of the kidneys affects the reabsorption process resulting in a stronger than usual urge to urinate.

Blood in urine

Blood in the urine is visible in some severe conditions. Healthy kidneys are particularly efficient filters because they contain millions of nephrons. Nephrons do not pass out blood cells as they remove waste from the blood to create urine, but if something disturbs the natural filtering function of kidneys, blood cells may start to seep into the urine. Additionally, kidney tumors, kidney stones, and infections may also be some causes of blood in the urine.

Puffiness around eyes and feet

Persistent puffiness around the eyes and feet is another physical symptom that may signify a kidney problem. Protein in the urine shows that the kidney filters have been disturbed. Puffiness or swelling around the eyes and feet may be because of a lot of protein escaping into the urine rather than being retained, allowed by kidneys. Furthermore, a decline in renal function can lead to salt retention. Sodium causes your body to store extra water in your subcutaneous tissues, resulting in ankle and foot swelling.

Dry and itchy skin

Dry and itchy skin indicates that the mineral balance has been disrupted, as well as that the kidneys are not adequately protecting your bones due to ineffective calcium management. In addition to removing waste, healthy kidneys aid in the production of red blood cells, help to keep bones strong and work to maintain the proper amount of minerals in your blood.

Muscle cramps

Electrolytes such as calcium, sodium, potassium, and phosphorus are necessary for physiological function. Human kidneys regulate their level in the body. Any electrolyte imbalance will immediately impair muscle function, resulting in cramping, stiffness, pain, and weakness. Muscle cramps are another indicating symptom of unhealthy kidneys.

The above are some symptoms of unhealthy kidneys, but always keep in mind these mentioned symptoms are not assuredly diagnostic of kidney disease. So, before diagnosing yourself or trying to self-medicate, please reach out to your healthcare provider as soon as possible. Moreover, kidney damage diagnosed in the early stages is preventable, and full recovery is possible in most cases.

Disclaimer: The story has already been published on other platforms.