SIGN & SYMPTOMS OF KIDNEY DISEASE
When kidney disease develops over a short period of time it’s
called Acute Kidney Failure. This is usually caused by an acute 'insult'
(damage) to the kidneys. Unlike Chronic Kidney Failure, this can usually
be treated and cured. Acute kidney diseases often cause symptoms that
are quite obvious, the most prominent being:
- Blood in the urine
- Swelling of the face, knee, ankles and legs
- New onset of high blood pressure
- Shortness of breath
The above symptoms are more likely to occur in children because they
are more likely to suffer acute kidney diseases. However, that does
not mean adults are free of them, so if you note any combination of
these symptoms, immediately seek medical attention.
Note that other diseases can also cause similar symptoms, but a simple
urine test can indicate if they are due to kidney diseases. For instance,
the urine test will indicate if albumin (protein) and blood are present
in the urine, as they imply the presence of kidney diseases. A blood
test can also show how well your kidneys are performing their main function
of eliminating waste products.
In contrast, many chronic kidney diseases do not manifest clear warning
signals in their early stages. There may be loss of appetite, mild swelling
in the legs, and tiredness. It is not uncommon for these symptoms to
be so mild or non-specific that they are ignored over long periods of
time.
In fact, some people with chronic kidney disease do not have any symptoms
in the initial stages. But as kidney function declines, symptoms may
include:
- Fatigue
- Frequent headaches
- Loss of appetite (anorexia)
- Sleep problem (insomnia)
- itchy skin
- Frequent urination or urinary retention
- Nausea or vomitting
- Swelling or numbness of the hand and feet
- Darkening of the skin
- Muscle Cramps
