Swelling and skin issues: These may be symptoms of kidney disease

Kidney diseases may not exhibit noticeable symptoms in their initial stages. However, diagnosing the symptoms earlier will improve the chances of recovery through proper medication. One of the major challenges of kidney ailments is that its symptoms are often mistaken for other diseases. These are some of the major signs of kidney diseases that shouldn’t be ignored.

Extreme fatigue and exhaustion
Toxins may accumulate in the blood when the kidneys do not function properly, causing extreme fatigue and exhaustion. You may struggle to concentrate on things if you are too tired. Besides, the production of erythropoietin, a hormone released by the kidneys for the production of red blood cells, would be reduced. It may then lead to anaemia, tiredness and shortness of breath. These symptoms may be mistaken for diseases related to old age.

Changes in urine
Changes in the colour, output or stream of urine are probably the first sign of kidney disease. Nocturia (waking up more often at night to urinate), foamy urine or cloudiness, hematuria (spotting blood in urine), or dark amber-tinted urine are some of the noticeable symptoms of kidney disease. Although these symptoms may appear harmless, they shouldn’t be ignored. Therefore, it is advisable to consult a doctor if you notice any changes in your urine.

Swelling on feet and around the eyes
Kidney damage can lead to fluid retention, resulting in swelling of the feet and inflammation around the eyes. Swelling occurs when the kidneys are unable to remove excess fluids and salts. People might think that swelling on the feet is due to standing for longer hours. However, this may be one of the first signs of kidney disease.

Skin itching and rashes
Itching at regular intervals, even without any noticeable skin issues, may be a sign of kidney disease. It occurs when toxins accumulate in the blood, and also due to an imbalance of calcium and phosphorus. Flaky and itchy skin, too, is a sign of kidney damage.

Nausea and loss of appetite
Toxins accumulate in the blood when the kidneys do not function properly. This adversely affects the digestive system, causing a metallic taste in the mouth followed by bad breath. The patient may also experience nausea and loss of appetite. These symptoms are often mistaken for gut-related problems, which in turn delays diagnosis and treatment.