Along with the heart, lungs, and liver, our kidneys are one of the most important parts of our body. According to research, the prevalence of chronic kidney disease is around 21.2% among Pakistani adults. With such a high prevalence, you must know the signs of kidney failure to start treatment as soon as possible.
Highlights:
- The prevalence of chronic kidney disease among Pakistani adults is approx. 21.2%.
- Swollen eyes, hands, feet, and abdomen, bloody urine, and sleep problems may indicate kidney failure.
- Dialysis and kidney transplants are the only options to treat kidney failure.
Kidney failure is a condition in which one or both kidneys stop working due to several causes. To treat dialysis, the person has to undergo dialysis or other medical interventions. Therefore, it is better to learn about the early symptoms and signs of kidney failure.
Click here to consult with the Best Kidney Specialists in Lahore Online through Marham.
5 First Signs of Kidney Failure
Most people mistake signs of kidney failure for other issues, and the disease worsens with time. Therefore, you must read the 5 first signs of kidney failure and see if there are any kidney problem symptoms or not.
1. Swollen Eyes
While puffy or swollen eyes are often linked to a bad night’s sleep or tiredness, they also indicate kidney disease. So, take notice if your eyes are constantly puffy, especially in the morning.
It happens because your body can not get rid of excess fluid due to a kidney disorder. It builds up in your body and causes swelling in your face.
2. Bloody or Foamy Urine
Blood or foam in urine is one of the most common signs of kidney disease.
Your doctor might suggest you have a urine test because it can detect abnormalities such as excess protein, blood, pus, germs, or sugar.
In case of kidney problems, your urine test might indicate:
- Albuminuria: A trace of one kind of protein called albumin, which is an early indicator of chronic renal disease.
- Proteinuria: Consistent levels of albumin and other proteins in the urine can indicate kidney impairment.
The presence of albumin is also associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events and mortality.
3. Swelling on Hands or Feet
Another sign of kidney disorder can be swelling in the lower extremities since our kidneys filter waste from the blood and excrete excess water from the body through urine. As a result of a dysfunctional kidney, this fluid might remain in the body rather than being expelled.
Also, read about the 3 Most Advance Kidney Stone Treatments In Pakistan
4. High Blood Pressure
Chronic kidney disease, heart attacks, and strokes are all associated with high blood pressure. Even if you have borderline hypertension or pre-hypertension, you must be careful since it can cause kidney damage.
It is recommended to control high blood pressure by:
- Decreasing Extra Weight
- Exercising
- Quitting Smoking
- Limiting Salt Intake
- Using Blood Pressure Drugs with Doctors’ Recommendations
Click here to book an appointment with a General Physician for treatment of High Blood Pressure now!
5. Sleep Problems
Sleep problems like insomnia or sleep apnea can harm your kidneys by preventing your body from obtaining adequate oxygen.
Moreover, many researchers have found a link between chronic kidney disease and sleep issues. Having a short sleep time or poor sleep quality can even worsen the already present chronic kidney disease in patients.
Other Signs and Symptoms of Kidney Disease
Other than the signs of kidney failure given above, you might experience any of the following:
- Fatigue
- Confusion
- Nausea
- Weakness
- Irregular Heartbeat
- Chest Pain or Pressure
- Seizures or Coma in Severe Cases
- Decreased Urine Output
- Fluid Retention
- Shortness of Breath
Treatment of Kidney Failure
The treatment for kidney failure is dependent on the nature and severity of the disease. Managing your chronic medical condition can help to slow the course of renal disease. Your kidney doctor will assess your condition and might suggest any of the following treatments:
-
Dialysis
Dialysis is a therapy that assists the body in filtering the blood since the kidneys can not do this any longer. It is usually done at a hospital for three or four days every week. Hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis are two types of dialysis.
In hemodialysis, a machine cleans your blood regularly. In comparison, Peritoneal dialysis uses a dialysis solution and a catheter to clean the blood in a somewhat different method.
-
Kidney Transplant
During kidney transplant surgery, surgeons implant a healthy kidney into your body to replace your damaged organs. This healthy kidney, known as a donor organ, can come from either a deceased donor or a live donor, who could be a friend or family member.
Consult a Nephrologist (Kidney Specialist) Now!
Kidney disease can worsen with time and gets extremely hard to manage in the end stages. Suppose you believe you are experiencing any of the symptoms or signs of kidney failure explained here. In that case, you should consult with a doctor as soon as possible.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are the Five Signs of Kidney Disease?
Puffy eyes, high cholesterol, blood in urine, hypertension, and swelling of hands or feet are the few signs of kidney disease.
2. Is Drinking a Lot of Water Good for Your Kidneys?
Drinking the recommended amount of water (6-8 glasses for adults) is good to prevent any kidney problems. However, if you are a kidney patient already, you must ask your doctor to suggest your water intake levels.
3. What Color is Urine When Your Kidneys Are Failing?
Red-colored urine might mean there is blood or protein usually indicates a problem with the kidneys.
4. Who is at Risk of Kidney Disease?
Diabetes, high blood pressure, and artery hardening (arteriosclerosis) all cause harm to the heart and kidneys. If you have heart illness, you are more likely to get renal disease and vice versa.