People with the health condition often need surgery
People have been urged to check their feet for signs of a ‘very serious’ health problem. Experts at Newfoundland Diagnostics have shared some of the symptoms to look out for that you may have kidney disease.
The group said kidney problems are very common for people with diabetes or high blood pressure, with over 70,000 people in the UK currently being treated for kidney failure, or stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD). This is where your kidney function is less than 15 percent.
The company warned that kidney disease is “very serious” as those with kidney failure have to undergo dialysis or even have a kidney transplant, just to survive.
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Frederick Manduca, co-founder of the company, said: “Maintaining good kidney health is essential for keeping the body in its best working state. Patients with CKD will not often present symptoms until it reaches an advanced stage.
“So, it’s crucial to keep tabs on whether they’re in good shape through regular testing.” He spoke about some of the key signs to look out for and urged that if you have any of them, you should get them checked out by a doctor, so you can get any treatment you may need.
What are the symptoms of kidney disease?
Mr Manduca said one “telltale sign” of your kidney function decreasing is if you see an increase of swelling in your lower legs or feet, a condition known as oedema. You may also see swelling around your eyes.
The expert explained: “If your kidneys are not working well, your body is not as effective at removing fluid from parts of your body. This leads to fluid build-up that causes your feet and ankles to swell.
“It is worth noting that this may be a sign of other problems, such as heart or liver disease. So, you must be assessed by a GP for a full diagnosis – before making any assumptions.”
Another change to your external appearance to look out for is if you have very itchy skin. This happens because when your kidneys are not working properly, you struggle to keep the right balance of minerals or nutrients in your blood, to keep your skin in good health.
Mr Manduca said: “It’s worth paying attention to when your skin itches, as for those that have CKD, it can worsen at night and in the heat, but improve with physical activity or hot/ cold showers showers.”
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Feelings of fatigue
If you have reduced kidney function, your body will struggle to process toxins in your blood. This build-up of waste products can cause you to feel fatigue or general feelings of weakness.
There are several health concerns that can lead to fatigue, so if you experience this, you should only consider it may be related to your kidneys if you have other symptoms.
Shortness of breath
As well as fluid building up around your legs and eyes, it can also build up in your lungs, affecting your breathing. Your breathing could also be affected if you have kidney problems as you may have a shortage of red blood cells, a condition known as anaemia.
The expert explained how this works: “When a person has unhealthy kidneys, they struggle to produce a hormone called erythropoietin – which is essential to the creation of red blood cells in the body. Red blood cells help to transport oxygen around the body, so those with fewer red blood cells – such as people with kidney issues – struggle to get as much oxygen into their system, meaning their lungs have to work harder.
“This causes further shortness of breath and fatigue.”
Nausea and vomiting
If you have an increased amount of toxins in your blood, you may experience vomiting as your body tries to remove the waste. This can be very unpleasant if the feelings of nausea reduce your appetite, as food and hydration are essential for your recovery.
Urinating more frequently
A primary function of your kidneys is to produce urine, which your body uses to get rid of waste products. But if your kidneys aren’t working properly, your body will need to use more water to flush out these substances, which means your bladder will fill more quickly.
Mr Manduca said: “If you find yourself going to the loo more often, this may be a sign that something isn’t right – particularly if you pee more at night than you would usually. In serious cases, when a person’s kidneys have been severely damaged, patients may even urinate blood – as the organs’ filters start to leak when processing toxins in the blood.”
Newfoundland Diagnostics has a Kidney Health test kit you can use at home, to check for increased levels of albumin in your urine, which can be a sign of chronic kidney disease.