Kidneys are about the size of fist and are located at the lower level of the rib cage. Kidneys have million functioning units called nephrons. These are a filtering unit of tiny blood vessels called a glomerulus attached to a tubule. They are considered as one of the most important human organs because of the important services that they perform for sustaining our human body. Like it is responsible for urine, it keeps us away from various diseases as well by flushing out the toxins of the body and maintaining our good health!
Functions of Kidneys:
The most important services that kidneys perform are:
- They filter toxins from the blood
- They produce urine
- Balance the body fluids
- Control blood pressure by releasing hormones
- Create red blood cells
- Produces an active form of Vitamin D that keeps the bones healthy and strong.
Causes
Kidneys health can deteriorate for various reasons like:
- Age Factor
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Heart problems
- Family history of kidney diseases or related health issues
If you have these issues and having some symptoms then it might be a good idea to get it checked once every year. Kidney diseases are not fatal. These signs can work for the betterment of your life and health. If you take the right way. Consult the best Nephrologist possible and let them see before the conditions worsen. You must know what is the issue and consult the urology experts- if need be!
Treatment:
- God forbid if you have been diagnosed with kidney disease and you already are dealing with diabetes. Then you should start controlling and taking care of your body. If they are also in control that will also stop the kidneys’ condition to get worse.
- Start treating your high blood pressure as well. Some medicines are needed to be prescribed by the doctor that will help in regulating that.
- If things get worse that might drive to kidney failure, you must know there are available treatments like- dialysis or a kidney transplant.
- You can also be treated for kidney stones that can be removed by medicine or surgical method.
- It is difficult to get in terms, that you might need surgery or a transplant. But the research shows the results are positive. Nothing is as scary if you’re not able to function properly. So don’t panic if you have kidney failure.
10 Signs you May have a Kidney Disease
If you notice any of these signs, it may indicate a kidney disease and you may need to visit the best Nephrology Hospital
1. Low energy levels:
If kidney functions tend to fall low, that could result in an accumulation of toxins and impurities in the blood. Due to this, people can feel tired, weak, and low levels of concentration. One of the other complications that one can have is anemia. Because of the lower production rate of red blood cells. Which also have similar side effects like weakness and fatigue.
2. Difficulty in Sleeping
If kidneys are not able to perform its function of filtering the toxins out of the body. They remain in the blood. This can cause difficulty in sleeping. There is a connecting line between obesity, chronic kidney disease, and sleeping disorder. Sleep apnea is common with more people who have chronic kidney disease.
3. Irritable Skin
There are so many important functions of a healthy kidney. They purify the blood by flushing out the extra fluid and help the bones to maintain its strength. Moreover, your body has a sufficient amount of minerals in your blood, so if these levels are triggered that can have a toll on your skin. Which can be seen in advanced stages of chronic kidney disease. If one function fluctuates that can lead to so many issues.
4. Loss of Appetite
This is one of the general sign that people have which is due to the presence of toxins in the blood.
5. Puffiness Under eyes
If your kidney filters are damaged that might lead to protein leak in your urine. When large amounts of protein are leaking out from your body that can cause the puffiness. It is considered one of the early symptoms in people whose kidneys are not healthy enough.
6. You need to visit the washroom to pass urine more often
If you feel like that you’re visiting the bathroom more often than usual, especially during the night time. This can be a sign that your kidneys filters are damaged. That’s why there is an increase in the urge to urinate. It might feel painful to pass urine. These can be symptoms of other diseases as well as a urinary infection or enlargement of the prostate in men.
7. Blood in Urine
Good kidneys tend to keep blood cells in the body while filtering out the toxins away from the body through urine. And if the filters are not functioning properly, the blood cells might leak out into the urine. Adding on, it can also mean that there might be a tumor, kidney stones, or infection. So this might be a good reason to get a health checkup.
8. Foamy Urine
If the appearance of your urine looks foamy or bubbly especially the ones who need several flushes to go. It indicates that there is an excess of protein in the urine. They might also have a red tone indicating blood. It shows that kidneys are not able to produce urine properly with excess amounts of protein.
9. Ankles and Feet are swollen
Due to a lower level of functioning of the kidney, can lead to sodium retention in the body. That can further cause swelling in your feet and ankles. These can also be a sign of heart and liver diseases or a leg vein problem. Or might be related to your decreasing kidneys’ health. It is better to get treatment for the vein problem. Vein illness treatment Illinois is available for the people who want to keep good kidney health.
10. Cramps
As the kidney manages the various levels of minerals in the body, that might cause an electrolyte imbalance. If there are low levels of phosphorus and calcium in the body then they might lead to muscle cramping. This may be an implication to kidney disease or some other health-related issues as well.
Conclusion
You don’t need to be afraid if you have these symptoms. But don’t take these signs lightly, kidneys health is very important for any human anatomy. Consult nephrologist doctors. They will do the necessary tests. Medical science has advanced and there are various technologies available that can help to improve a chronic disease as well. Most importantly, health is wealth!