Symptom
Detecting kidney disease can be tricky because signs and symptoms appear late, after the disease has progressed and kidney damage has occurred. In fact, kidney disease is sometimes called a “silent” disease because it is difficult to detect and most people with early-stage kidney disease are completely unaware of it.
Know the symptoms of kidney disease
While watching for late symptoms won’t help with early detection, it’s still important to know the signs. Remember, you should not wait until symptoms appear before taking action.
• Changes in urination
Healthy kidneys help filter blood to produce urine. When your kidneys are not working well, you may have urinary problems, such as needing to urinate more frequently or having blood in your urine. You may also experience foamy or bubbly urine, which may be an early sign of protein entering the urine due to kidney damage.
• Fatigue
Decreased kidney function can cause toxins to build up in your blood, causing you to lack energy or feel extremely tired. Kidney disease can also cause anemia, which can make you feel tired or weak due to too few red blood cells.
• Itching
Dry, itchy skin may be a sign that you have an imbalance of minerals and nutrients in your blood due to kidney disease. Itching is often caused by high levels of phosphorus in the blood.
• Swelling of hands, legs or feet
When your kidneys are unable to clear excess fluid and sodium from your body, you may develop swelling (also called edema) in your feet or other lower extremities.
• Shortness of breath
When your kidneys can’t clear enough fluid, excess fluid accumulates in your lungs, which can cause you to become short of breath. Anemia (a lack of oxygen-carrying red blood cells) caused by kidney disease can also cause difficulty in breathing.
• Backache
You may feel localized pain near your kidneys that doesn’t change, or that the pain gets worse when you move or stretch. The kidneys are located on either side of the spine in the lower back, and kidney problems may cause pain in this area. Back pain can also be caused by a kidney infection or blockage, which can lead to kidney damage.
What to do if you are at risk for kidney disease?
If you are at risk for kidney disease, especially if you have high blood pressure or diabetes, it is recommended that you get screened at least once a year to see if you have any evidence of kidney disease and to know your estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).
Symptoms of kidney disease develop slowly over time. Many people in the early stages of kidney disease (stages 1 and 2) have no symptoms at all and may need tests to receive a diagnosis. You are more likely to have symptoms in the later stages of kidney disease (stages 3, 4, and 5).
The earlier kidney disease is detected, the greater the benefits of early treatment.
** What is eGFR (estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate)?
The estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) is a measure of how well the kidneys clean blood. It is usually estimated based on blood test results and age and gender.