Kidney damage typically progresses very slowly. While this is a good thing for those fighting the disease, it can mean that symptoms of chronic kidney disease often go unnoticed for so long that a diagnosis isn’t made until the kidney damage is irreversible. If you have any inclinations that you may have chronic kidney disease, read on to learn about the symptoms.
The most common symptoms of kidney damage are itching, muscle cramps, nausea and vomiting, not feeling hungry, swelling of the feet and ankles, too much or not enough urine, trouble catching your breath and trouble sleeping. Other symptoms can include fatigue and weakness, decreased mental sharpness, muscle twitches, chest pain (if fluid builds up around the lining of the heart), and high blood pressure (hypertension) that’s difficult to control.
Because these symptoms are so broad and varied, it can be difficult to tie them all back to kidney damage. The kidneys are also extremely hardy and adaptable, which allows them to compensate for lost function extremely well and hide the warning signs until it is too late.
The key to early diagnosis is to watch for these symptoms in combination with one another. You should also make sure your urologist has tested for, and is aware of, any other diseases you may have that increase your risk of chronic kidney disease. Simple blood pressure and urine tests could be all it takes to keep a watchful eye on your kidney’s health.
Diabetes, hypertension, urine blockages, overusing painkillers, having an allergic reaction to antibiotics, inflammation and drug abuse can all put you at a higher risk for chronic kidney disease. Any concerns you have about these previous illnesses should be brought up at once with your urologist so that together you can plan preventative measures and monitor your kidney health frequently.
If you are experiencing two or more of the classic symptoms of CKD at once with any severity, you should contact your urologist right away. Early diagnosis is key to effective treatment. Call us today at 1-877-321-8452 to schedule an appointment or speak with one of our staff members.
