Your kidneys are to your body as to what your city's water plant is to your water. With many jobs to help your body function, kidneys play a very important role in how your body operates. They remove toxins through your waste, regulate your blood pressure, help keep your iron levels from being so low that they would cause you anemia and help with your bone health. Kidneys remove and clean so your body can function at its fullest potential.
What Leads to Kidney Disease
Given the name of the “silent killer”, kidney disease starts to occur when a kidney's nephrons are damaged. Nephrons are super tiny filters in the kidney. These little filters, filter the body’s blood. If they stop working or become damaged, the kidneys can no longer help the body. Once nephrons start to lose their ability to work, the kidneys become diseased.
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How to Detect it
Kidney disease was given the name silent killer because that’s exactly what it is. Symptoms of kidney disease wouldn't be easily detectable to someone who isn’t in tune with their body because the symptoms are subtle.
Here are some ways to detect kidney disease through simple observations of your body:
1. Pay attention to your urine
The way kidneys remove toxins from your body is through your waste. Notice the changes in your pee, it's common to see slight color changes in your urine depending on your liquid intake during the day, but if you begin to notice more frequent changes or changes such as blood in your urine or it has a foamy look, then reach out to a medical doctor immediately.
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2. Notice how fatigued you are
If you notice that you're becoming tired and fatigued often, reach out to a professional. Increased fatigue is a symptom of kidney disease
3. Check for swelling and inflammation
If you notice that your hands, feet and face have swelling or are inflamed that could possibly be a sign that your kidneys are weakening. Though it might not always be the case, make sure you take notice of it and continue to watch how your body is. If you notice that there is an increase in swelling and inflammation, reach out to a doctor
4. Look for toxic build-up
Constant bad breath, metallic taste in your mouth, nausea, rashes, etc. are signs that your kidneys may be failing you. When the disease is more prominent in your kidneys, you’ll notice these symptoms
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5. If you begin to feel back pain
Pain in your lower back around your kidneys is also a sign that your kidneys may possibly be failing so it’s good to get a doctor's opinion right away. Remember all of these symptoms often start as simple common occurrences that are easy to overlook. Try not to overlook them but instead, take notice that they are there. If you feel them start to get any worse, reach out to a medical professional immediately to help you figure out what the issue is and what to do next.
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Medical Problems that Require Frequent Testing for Kidney Disease
There are other medical issues that you may already have that require you to get tested for kidney disease:
- High Blood Pressure
- Anemia
- Diabetes
- Family History of Kidney Disease
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Lupus
- Kidney Stones
*These are just to name a few.*
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Medical Test Given to Determine Kidney Disease
Once you notice the changes in your body, it’s extremely important to reach out to a medical professional in order to move forward in determining what may be the problem. Once you voice your concerns with your doctor, they will proceed to give you two types of tests: a urine and blood test.
The urine test is given to see if there is anything irregular within your urine (ex. too much protein).
The blood test is given to measure the creatine levels (a type of amino acid in the body) in your body. A blood test will also be used to determine if you have any prior health issues that could contribute to having kidney disease (high cholesterol, low iron, etc).
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It’s important to pay attention to your body and notice its changes. You don’t ever want it to be too late. Again, if you are concerned or have any questions about changes in your body, please reach out to medical professionals. Always remember that your health matters.
