Symptoms Of Kidney Damage
Last Updated: Apr 13, 2020
When the functionality of kidney is reduced, it causes retention of fluid that must be removed from the body. If kidney does not filter the blood, the excess waste products and fluids remains in the body which may contain certain amount of electrolytes too. The fluid with excess sodium last in body, it causing swelling of feet and lower limbs. Such type of symptom is also linked to diseases of heart, liver and chronic leg vein problems.
shortness of breath
Shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing is medically termed as Dyspnea, where persons’ respiratory passage or breathing passage and blood vessels of lungs or heart are affected. The other symptoms associated with shortness of breath are tightness feeling in chest region, air hunger, inability of deep breathe etc. As kidney is performing functions like removing extra water and wastes, maintaining blood pressure, balancing the chemical levels in body as well as forming red blood cells, shortness of breath can be taken as a sign of problem with kidney. Anaemic condition is basic sign of kidney damage resulting into shortness of breath.
a reduced amount of urine
A normal and healthy person with proper functioning of both kidneys is urinating of about 500 ml of urine in time period of 24 hours. If there is a decreased amount of urine by less than 400 ml/day, it indicates a condition oliguria. There are some cases where no amount of urine is passed and it is called as anuria. A underlying health problem related to kidney as well as urinary obstruction is occurring in this conditions and needs an immediate diagnosis and treatment.
swelling of your legs, ankles, and feet from retention of fluids caused by the failure of the kidneys to eliminate water waste
There are many reasons lying behind the occurrence of swollen feet as oedema, foot or ankle injury, lifestyle factors, blood clot, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease etc. If a person experiences swelling of lower limbs, kidney functioning should be tested because retention of fluids in body can occurs due to poor working of kidneys. This retained fluid is circulating in tissues and blood vessels of legs and making them swell. Generally such swelling went away by resting legs in little high position than normal and if doesn't, needs a proper diagnosis for the same.
unexplained shortness of breathexcessive drowsiness or fatigue
Generally, a complaint about difficulty in breathing is linked with the problems or diseases of respiratory system. But in some case, it may be related to the other organs like kidney, heart etc. The kidney produces components present in blood like erythropoietin, essential for formation of red blood cells that are carrying oxygen to different parts of the body. If there is damage or failure to kidney, there is a decreased concentration of red blood cells and oxygen supply leading to unexplained shortness of breath.
persistent nausea
Persistent nausea is a condition not a disease that is indicating problems with the digestive system which can be problems in nerve and muscles of stomach reducing the emptying time of stomach or digestion or any other autonomic dysfunction. The symptoms related to this condition are loss of appetite, repeated rhythmic contractions of respiratory and abdominal muscles, profuse sweating etc. Such issues with digestive tract can occurs if the is an problem with urinary system especially, kidney failure because the excess waste products are not removed from the body and hurting it in another ways.
confusion
Kidney failure or damage is a condition where the functioning of kidney is severely decreased. At such point, there are lots of buildup toxins and impurities in the blood making problems like feeling of tiredness, weakness, inability to concentrate on something etc. Such accumulated toxins are affecting the central nervous system, especially the brain, leading to a condition called delirium or confusion. This symptom is a sign of last stage of kidney damage and it cannot be fixed.
pain or pressure in your chest
A pain felt at chest region is taken as emergency sign and person should be taken to the hospital for diagnosis reason behind it. Chest pain can be divided on basis of quality, intensity, duration and location. Pain or pressure in chest is a symptoms linked to kidney damage as kidneys are helping in controlling the blood pressure. Damage to the kidney is causing excess pressure on the heart to pump the blood and arising of symptoms like chest discomfort or pain and it is more commonly experienced by men as compared to women.
seizures
Damage to kidney or kidney stops working because of infection of other reasons, it is increasing the amount of toxin and waste products in the body. Such accumulation of toxins and waste products like urea, creatinine, and electrolytes such as sodium are causing complications like sepsis, haemorrhage, malignant hypertension, pH and electrolyte imbalance. Seizures are also arising with signs like temporary confusion, loss of consciousness or awareness etc. and are correlated with kidney failure.
coma
Such type of symptoms like seizures and coma are considered as end-stage symptoms for kidney damage. Kidneys are not working well or stopped working causes retention of fluid with waste products that needs to be eliminated from the body. These waste products and other toxins are staying in the body resulting into damage to the brain that can be increased pressure, bleeding, loss of oxygen, or build up toxins. Damage to kidney is also inhibiting functions of the brain and creating conditions like seizures and coma with prolonged effects.
References
- Rouviere O, Nivet H, Grenier N, Zini L, Lechevallier E. Kidney damage due to tuberous sclerosis complex: management recommendations. Diagnostic and interventional imaging. 2013 Mar 1;94(3):225-37. [Cited 06 April 2020]. Available from:
- Zaffanello M, Franchini M, Brugnara M, Fanos V. Evaluating kidney damage from vesico-ureteral reflux in children. Saudi Journal of Kidney Diseases and Transplantation. 2009 Jan 1;20(1):57. [Cited 06 April 2020]. Available from:
- Asscher AW. Bacteriuria and kidney damage. Prevention of Kidney and Urinary Tract Diseases. 1978;5:225. [Cited 06 April 2020]. Available from:
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