Have you ever wondered if your kidneys were suffering from something?

If you’ve ever felt like you have puffy eyes, are constantly tired, or are unable to focus properly, it might be because of your kidneys. When your body communicates symptoms, consider seeing a doctor if they persist. More than 37 million American adults have kidney disease, and most of them aren’t even aware of it!

Chronic kidney disease is a very serious issue, and most often you’ll notice changes in your hands, feet, and eyes. That’s because, when suffering from kidney disease, the organs won’t function normally and they cannot filter the blood as they should.

Since healthcare is considered one of the most important things in life, we did some research about what doctors have told us to pay attention to.

1. Puffy eyes

Of course, minor swelling in your eyes doesn’t necessarily mean that there is something wrong with your kidneys. But if the swelling is concentrated around the eyes, hands, and feet, it could be the result of nephrotic syndrome, a condition resulting from kidney disease.

This damage can cause too much protein to be released from your body as you urinate. “In nephrotic syndrome, the glomeruli let three grams or more of protein leak into the urine during 24 hours. Protein in the urine is an early sign that the kidneys’ filters have been damaged, allowing protein to leak into the urine,” explains the National Kidney Foundation (NKF). 

2. You’re feeling tired

Kidney health problems often make you more tired, have lower levels of energy, or give you trouble concentrating. If something has happened to your kidneys, this will lead to an accumulation of toxins in your blood. This issue will leave you less focused, with general fatigue and physical weakness. Doctors say that a reduced amount of oxygen to the cells can lead to fatigue.

3. You have trouble sleeping

The third symptom that indicates you might have some trouble with your kidneys is that you experience difficulties sleeping. Many patients diagnosed with kidney disease said that they were feeling tired and were having dizzy spells, which are signs of anemia and also related to kidney disease.

This can lead to fainting and the constant sensation of feeling weak. Scientists explained that dizziness and lack of focus during the day might be two of the symptoms of anemia, and they could relate to kidney disease.

When your kidneys aren’t functioning according to normal parameters, the toxins will stay in the blood even if the normal function is to be eliminated through urine. This might leave you not so well rested during the night. Believe it or not, there is a small line between obesity and chronic kidney disease, and sleep apnea is more common in those with chronic kidney disease compared with the general population.

4. Itchy and dry skin

As we mentioned before, the kidneys are one of the most important organs in your body. From filtering the toxins in your body to helping make red blood cells, keeping the bones strong, and working to keep a specific amount of minerals in your body, they are vital.

Dry skin could be a sign of mineral and bone disease when the kidneys fail to keep the right balance in the blood. Even if this feeling of itchiness comes and goes, it’s often a sign that your kidneys are in trouble.

5. Constant urination

Are you feeling the urge to urinate more often than usual in the middle of the night? Then it’s a sign that there might be a serious issue with your kidneys. Sometimes it can also be a urinary infection or prostate infection in men’s cases. Many patients say they feel pressure, have difficulty urinating, or can’t urinate at all.

This symptom, just like many others, is very often associated with diabetes, which is again a very serious health issue. Spending a very long time on the toilet might not be the best scenario. So if you’re experiencing this, why don’t you make an appointment to see the doctor as soon as possible?

6. Blood in the urine

Your kidneys produce urine so if the color changes, then there might be a serious issue there. Blood in your urine might be another sign of kidney disease.

When you have normal functioning kidneys, the blood cells filter waste from the blood to create urine. When the kidneys are sick, the blood cells begin to leak into the urine. This might also be a sign that you have kidney stones.

7. Foamy urine

Your urine is foamy; the excess bubbles in your urine might indicate a high percentage of protein – especially if you have to flush it several times. This type of foam might look similar to scrambled eggs. Here’s a fun fact: the common protein found in urine is called albumin, which is actually the same protein that is found in eggs!

8. Poor appetite

This one is a very general symptom, but a large amount of toxins resulting from the kidney disease might be one of the causes. Most patients said that they were having a foul taste in their mouth, like iron. And because of that, they weren’t able to eat as much as they did before, and some of them even lost a few pounds.

9. Your ankles and feet are swollen

If the kidneys cannot properly do their usual work, sodium will be retained much more easily in your body. Swollen ankles, feet, or hands might be a common sign of kidneys kidney disease. Whether is about it’s regarding the kidneys or water retention the sensation is unpleasant and might give you headaches.

But be aware that swelling in the lower parts of your body might have a connection with heart disease, and liver disease too.

10. Fever

This would be the most unpleasant symptom, especially if you’re facing it during the summer. Even if this may look like you’re dealing with a superficial flu, it might need a serious check-up from your doctor. Instead of staying constant, the fever is rising and falling all the time.

Did this give you the chills? Are you experiencing this? Be aware that kidney disease can be a serious problem for most people, and they aren’t able to recognize it that easily.

The chief of NKF (National Kidney Foundation), says that you’re less likely to experience symptoms until the late stage of the disease, when it might be very dangerous or when you might see the amount of protein in the urine: “This is one of the reasons why only 10 percent of people with chronic kidney disease know that they have it”. So you should probably go and check your health with your doctor before it becomes a serious problem!

Have you ever felt any of these symptoms mentioned above?

NOTE: If you have lower back pain and you think it may be a kidney issue, you should know that they are located above the waist in the back of your body. Every concern you have would be better to share with your doctor. Having a healthy body will make you happier and ready to do some of your favorite activities.

If you are interested in this topic, you might like this article about another health issue. Check out: Are You Getting Enough Vitamin B6? Here Are 5 Important Benefits.