We don’t think much about our kidneys. We mostly focus on what’s on the outside, such as taking care of our skin, hair, arms, and legs, but not the internal organs. Kidney health is not on most people’s radar; you will not know just how silently these vital organs can suffer under stress. What will surprise you the most is just how easily these signs can be brushed off: fatigue, swelling, or even just a minor change in urine. But according to the National Kidney Foundation, these subtle signs could be your body’s early warning system.Here’s what one should look out for (source: National Kidney Foundation):
Changes in urination
One of the earliest and most common symptoms of kidney stress that is the most noticeable is changes in urination, frequency, colour, etc. This could include increased frequency, especially at night or decreased output. Urine may appear foamy or cloudy, suggesting protein leakage; it can even appear to be dark or blood-tinged. These changes reflect the kidneys’ struggle to filter waste effectively. Often mistaken for minor infections or hydration, such irregularities should not be ignored, especially if they persist or occur with other symptoms like fatigue or swelling.
Metallic taste or Ammonia breath
Individuals with kidney stress can have a lingering metallic taste in the mouth or on the breath that is pungent and smells like ammonia. This occurs due to the buildup of waste products in the blood that damage your sense of smell and taste. Referred to as uremic fetor, this symptom can lead individuals to shun foods, thus lowering their appetite even further. It’s an unmistakable indication that the kidneys are not eliminating toxins effectively and require medical assessment promptly.
Nausea and Loss of Appetite
When kidneys are not able to remove waste products efficiently, toxins start building up in the blood, a condition known as uremia. This toxic accumulation may impact the gastrointestinal tract, causing nausea, vomiting, or a metallic taste in the mouth. A decreased appetite follows, and this results in involuntary weight loss and nutritional deficiencies. The symptoms are usually insidious in the initial stages but get aggravated as kidney function further deteriorates.
Skin problems: Itching and dryness
Dry, flaky, or itchy skin may be more than a skin problem; it could be a sign of kidney stress. The kidneys work to keep blood levels of minerals and nutrients in balance. When they are under attack, toxic waste products accumulate and irritate the skin. Especially high levels of phosphorus can create intense itching. Persistent or unexplained skin complaints, particularly when coupled with other signs of kidney distress, should receive further medical evaluation and even blood or urine examinations.
Shortness of Breath
When your kidneys are under stress and cannot keep a proper balance of fluids, excess fluid builds up in the lungs, making breathing difficult. Other than that, anemia due to decreased red blood cell production restricts oxygen supply to tissues and leads to shortness of breath. You feel this symptom with everyday activities such as walking or going upstairs. Shortness of breath, especially if recurrent or increasing, without other respiratory complications, is a cause for concern for underlying kidney issues.
