The kidneys are vital organs that perform certain key functions
without which it becomes practically impossible for the body to
thrive. Some of the fundamental roles the kidneys play involve
excretion of nitrogenous waste products and toxins from the body
system; maintenance of fluid and electrolyte balance; synthesis of
erythropoietin to drive red blood cell production and regulation of
Blood Pressure.
From the aforementioned, it is obvious that failure of both kidneys
has grave implications for the affected individual. But do the kidneys
have to fail before medical help and intervention is sought? The
answer is NO.
Discussed below are some of the warning or alarm signs that may point
to failing kidneys, necessitating an urgent visit to your doctor for
proper evaluation and management:
1. Change in urine volume
If you have observed that you now pass large volumes of urine more
often than usual (polyuria), especially if you need to urinate more
than 2-3 times at night (nocturia), you may need to see the doctor for
further evaluation of your kidneys. In the same vein, reduction in
urine output (oliguria) may be a pointer to Acute Kidney Injury. In
any case, if you have observed any persistent changes in your urine
output, go and see the doctor.
2. Frothiness/Foaminess of the urine
Did you notice that your urine foams excessively and over a prolonged
period? It may be due to large quantities of protein leaking into your
urine because of damaged kidneys. You will be doing yourself a lot of
good to have your kidneys assessed properly.
3. Passage of bloody urine (Haematuria)
This is a condition in which an individual passes blood - frank or
altered in the urine. It's an alarm symptom that can be due to myriads
of problems affecting the kidneys, ureters or the bladder. Some of the
common causes are acute glomerulonephritis, sickle cell nephropathy,
polycystic kidney disease, renal cancer, stones along the urinary
tract, schistosomiasis and so on. Moreover, the bottom line is that
the comprehensive evaluation of the kidneys to exclude a renal disease
is crucial in this case.
4. Body swelling
Early morning facial swelling or puffiness that regresses as the day
goes by is especially suggestive of 'faulty' kidneys. Eventually, the
swelling may progress to involve the entire body (anasarca). However,
malnutrition, cardiac or liver diseases may also give a similar
picture. If you have this symptom, it's necessary to present to the
physician.
5. Persistent hiccups
Inability of the failing kidneys to excrete urea (one of the waste
products) ultimately leads to an accumulation of this toxic substance
in the blood (uraemia) and this often irritates the diaphragm, leading
to persistent hiccups.
6. Body itching/Pruritus
This is another manifestation of accumulated toxic waste products in
the bloodstream. Hence, if you experience persistent body itching,
assessing your renal function may be of tremendous benefit.
7. Lethargy and Fatigue
Patients with chronic renal disease often complain of easy
fatiguability upon little or no exertion. This is understandable given
the role of the kidneys in red blood cell production such that failure
of both kidneys is likely to lead to low blood levels (Anaemia) and
consequent inability to cope with the demands of body tissues.
8.Shortness of breath
Based on the fact that the kidneys are responsible for maintaining
body fluid balance, when the kidneys fail, accumulation of fluids in
both lungs may result and this interferes with gaseous exchange in the
lung alveoli thereby making breathing difficult if not impossible.
9. Nausea/Vomiting
Some patients with kidney failure complain of persistent nausea and a
tendency to throw up all the time. Again, this is likely due to waste
products of metabolism, especially urea that has accumulated in the
body due to renal disease.
10. Pain in the loins/flanks
The kidneys are situated in the loins. Hence, the recurrent or
persistent flank pain may be a pointer to kidney diseases due to
stones (nephrolithiasis), infection (pyelonephritis) or cysts
(polycystic kidney disease). Obviously, persistent loin pain warrants
further evaluation in a hospital.
In conclusion, it is pertinent to note that definite renal replacement
therapy for End-Stage Kidney Disease is so capital-intensive that it's
beyond the reach of the common man. Hence, early intervention to
prevent or slow down the progression to End-Stage Kidney Disease may
be life-saving. But this is only possible when patients recognize the
early warning signs of kidney disease and make themselves available on
time for proper evaluation.
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