Kidney disease can affect anyone at any age and comes with a number of symptoms that are sometimes attributed to other conditions. This is why it is important to be familiar with the symptoms and early detection can help improve outcomes.
In a previous post, we listed a number of symptoms that can indicate kidney disease. Below are 6 more of such symptoms
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You’re finding it difficult to sleep
Sleep quality can be affected to a large extent when the kidneys are not functioning properly. This is due to a build-up of toxins in the blood which are supposed to leave the body through the urine. People with chronic kidney disease may also experience sleep apnea, a serious sleep disorder that occurs when a person repeatedly stops and starts breathing during sleep. This condition can significantly affect one’s quality of sleep may be responsible for sluggishness and tiredness during the day.
You have tachycardia
When the kidneys are not functioning properly, they fail to remove potassium from the body. The excess potassium in the body can have a negative impact on the cardiovascular system. This can lead to a condition called tachycardia in which the heart beats at an abnormally fast rate. If you experience fast heartbeats without any apparent cause, then it is important you consult your doctor to rule out hyperkalemia or high blood potassium.
You experience high fever and backaches
Experiencing a high fever along with backaches, frequent urination and vomiting may be indications of a kidney infection. These kind of infections are more common in women due to how their urinary system works. If you have such symptoms, then you should consult a doctor who will prescribe antibiotics if you have a kidney infection. It is crucial to detect and treat a kidney infection early as delay can lead to permanent kidney damage.
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You have muscle cramps
Frequent muscle cramps may be a sign of an imbalance of electrolytes in the body. These electrolytes include potassium, magnesium, phosphate, calcium, and sodium and they control different physiological functions in the body. When the kidneys are inflamed, the levels of electrolytes in the body may deplete. The low level of electrolytes in the body may lead to muscle cramping
Your urine is foamy
Excessive bubbles in the urine is a common sign of kidney disease. These bubbles may be a sign that a protein, albumin, is leaking into your urine. The urine may be always foamy and filled with bubbles that resemble those of scrambled eggs as albumin is also found in eggs.
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