6 Dangerous Symptoms That Speak Of Kidney Problems

Who among us has not laughed at the joke: "It's too late to drink Borjomi when the kidneys have failed." At the same time, not suspecting that the kidneys really cannot be cured if they are already sick. The development of kidney disease can only be stopped, with a whole range of medical measures. So what is this organ - our kidneys? And what do they mean for the body?

We know that the kidneys are paired organs that are located in the abdominal cavity on either side of the spine at the level of the lower back. It is absolutely wrong to believe that kidney function is limited to the elimination of excess fluid and metabolic waste. In fact, the kidneys are an organ that plays a decisive role in the full functioning of the whole organism and is responsible for many vital processes for it. Let's dwell on the main ones:

Regulation of minerals and other chemicals such as potassium salt, chlorine, hydrogen, calcium, magnesium and bicarbonates. It is the kidneys that maintain the optimal fluid composition in the body. In the case of pathology, the concentration of the above substances becomes imbalanced, which can lead to a violation of the heart rhythm, changes in the work of the muscles of the body, deterioration of the condition of bones, teeth and much more.
The production of various hormones (renin, aldosterone, angiotensin, prostaglandin, etc.) and the regulation of water and salt in the body also directly depend on renal function.
Vitamin D becomes hormonal and becomes active thanks to the kidneys, which ensures the absorption of calcium from food, normal growth of bones and teeth.
The level of hemoglobin is also directly dependent on the work of the kidneys, because it is in these organs that erythropoietin is synthesized, a hormone responsible for the production of red blood cells, or erythrocytes. With kidney disease, its production is reduced, which becomes the main cause of anemia.

Due to the variety of renal function in the body, the symptoms of its impairment are extremely nonspecific. Let's talk about the main ones further.

Pain sensations

As a rule, pain serves as the first signal of unfavorable processes in the body, while in most cases it is not at all characteristic of renal pathology. The exception is a number of diseases associated with mechanical irritation of the kidneys and urinary tract - these include urolithiasis, polycystic disease and some other diseases.

Mechanical compression from cysts or movement of kidney stones can cause excruciating pain. To confirm the above diagnoses and identify the cause of discomfort in the kidney area, a minimal clinical and instrumental examination - ultrasound of the kidneys and a general urine test will be sufficient. A decrease in renal function and, as a consequence, the development of renal failure is not accompanied by pain.

Edema

One of the most common signs of kidney failure is swelling. Their frequent localization is the face area, especially the eyelids, as well as the upper and lower extremities. In terms of severity, the swelling varies from barely noticeable to massive, causing discomfort when walking.

As the kidney problem worsens, the edema syndrome will increase more and more. A sharp appearance of strongly pronounced edema is characteristic of the onset of many renal diseases. It should be clearly understood that edema is not a specific symptom of kidney disease. Even in the case of the last stage of renal failure, their presence will not be required. Along with impaired renal function, edema occurs in many other equally serious diseases and requires a thorough examination (see also: "Osteopath's advice: how to remove swelling on the face (with video)").

Upset of the gastrointestinal tract and intoxication of the body

When kidney function deteriorates, toxic substances naturally accumulate in the body, which ultimately leads to loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and many other disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. Intoxication may be accompanied by itching and itching of the mucous membranes. It is extremely difficult to associate such symptoms with the kidneys without a medical education, therefore, if they appear, complex diagnostics and specialist advice are needed.

High blood pressure

High blood pressure is also a possible symptom of kidney disease, especially at a young age and in the absence of objective predisposing factors for the development of hypertension. It should be remembered that hypertension itself is a risk factor for renal failure. Therefore, an increase in blood pressure leads to kidney damage, and renal dysfunction, in turn, worsens the course of hypertension. Therefore, blood pressure control is mandatory in any case.

Anemia

The kidneys are directly involved in hematopoiesis: it is in them that erythropoietin is produced - a hormone that, thanks to the production of erythrocytes, provides a normal level of hemoglobin in the blood. A decrease in the synthesis of erythropoietin by the kidneys when their work is disrupted leads to anemia, which is characterized by a number of symptoms: weakness, rapid fatigue, pallor of the skin, hair loss, fragility of the nail plate, and so on.

Anemia is also not a specific symptom of renal failure, but sometimes a decrease in hemoglobin over time is the only sign of kidney failure. A characteristic feature indicating that this deviation is directly related to renal function is the ineffectiveness of conventional therapy in treating anemia.

Changes in the quantitative and qualitative composition of urine

If you suspect kidney problems, the first thing to look at is the consistency and color of your urine. The presence of foam, blood or other impurities requires immediate laboratory diagnosis and treatment. Also, a decrease in the amount of daily urine flow may indicate a violation of the kidneys.

Finally:

The kidneys are involved in regulating the work of the whole organism, which means that any deviation in their work will lead to a violation of the integrity of the work of all other organs and systems.

To prevent renal pathology, it is necessary at the first appearance of the above symptoms as soon as possible to consult a doctor, to undergo a comprehensive clinical and laboratory examination to exclude or timely treatment of kidney diseases (see also: "Health Diagnostics: Modern Examination Programs"). The specialist will help you accurately orient whether you are at risk, as well as prescribe a set of preventive measures and indicate the time periods for mandatory screening.