Nine signs that alert you to kidney disease

Nine signs that alert you to kidney disease

One of the main functions of the kidneys is filtration as urine , of excess water and toxins produced in the body besides regulating components such as calcium or vitamin D .

When failures occur in this organ, the kidney stops filtering the blood , so that substances previously regulated, such as waste or excess water, begin to be retained in the body, making toxic such as urea and creatinine accumulate in the blood .

A kidney disease usually has no symptoms until the condition reaches more advanced stages, which is why, according to specialists, is called " silent disease ." The National Federation of Associations for the Fight against Kidney Diseases emphasizes the importance of an early diagnosis to avoid complications, so it is advisable to pay attention to the following early symptoms:

Changes in  urination, such as getting up at night to urinate ( nocturia ) or doing it more often and more or less than normal.

Changes in the appearance of urine, such as a lighter color or the presence of blood.

Fluid retention , which results in increased swelling of the legs, ankles, feet, face and hands.

Tiredness and fatigue caused by fluid retention.

 Anemia , in some cases, due to renal failure.

Itchy skin , also called pruritus, caused by the retention of toxins that can be deposited in the skin.

Metallic taste in the mouth and a smell of ammonia in the breath, all due to an accumulation of urea in the saliva.

Nausea and vomiting , in addition to loss of appetite or weight.

Finally, when the kidney has insufficiency, it causes an increase in blood pressure and may cause hypertension .
The causes for which a decrease in the glomerular filtration can occur are multiple, as much by direct aggressions as of indirect form due to other diseases.

The diabetes mellitus along with high blood pressure are the two most common causes leading to kidney failure, reason why these diseases require regular monitoring of renal function of the patient to avoid aggravation.

In addition, there are other risk factors that increase the likelihood of such failure, such as hereditary diseases , immunological diseases and some medications such as anti-inflammatory or chemotherapy .

How can kidney disease be prevented?
One of the main tips that the Federation proposes to avoid kidney problems is to adapt to a healthy lifestyle , that is, including "heart-healthy recommendations", since measures that help to care for the heart serve to prevent kidney failure.

To avoid both renal and coronary pathologies, it is necessary to reduce the consumption of salt, since the food itself already contains it, just as you should choose to avoid excesses of fat and other harmful substances such as alcohol or The tobacco .

"Patients should not anchor themselves on a healthy diet and that's it. This should be combined with routines of physical exercise and moderate the consumption of anti-inflammatory drugs , especially in the elderly, "says the Federation.

Likewise, it is important to carry out continuous blood pressure and glucose levels , which will help to detect pathologies external to the kidneys that can lead to kidney failure.

Classification of kidney failure
Depending on the cause that causes them, the National Federation of Associations for the Fight against Kidney Diseases contemplates three types of renal failures that must be differentiated.

Diseases called prerenal and caused by a lack of fluid in the kidney . This dehydration is usually caused by, for example, an episode of diarrhea or excessive consumption of diuretics .

Kidney diseases that cause direct damage to the kidney , caused by high glucose levels, hypertension or an excessive accumulation of cholesterol . These problems cause damage to the renal parenchyma or small vessels that irrigate the kidney and cause kidney disease.

Postrenal diseases caused by an obstruction in the exit of the urine , damage that can have origin as pathologies like the prostate hypertrophy in men or the kidney stones .
Another classification criterion is determined by the duration of the disease; In those where renal function is suspended for days or weeks ( acute renal failure ) and those where the problem is aggravated in a more durable and progressive ( chronic renal failure ).