People with high blood pressure and diabetes are more likely to develop kidney disease. Don’t ignore the following symptoms if you experience them continuously:
1. Changes in urination
When the kidney filters fail, the amount and color of urine changes.
Feeling the need to urinate frequently at night.
Excessive urine output (a sign of protein loss from the body).
Seeing traces of blood in the urine or experiencing pain when urinating.
2. Edema in the legs and face
When kidney function slows down, the water and salt (sodium) that should be left from the body are not removed properly. This can cause unexplained swelling in the ankles, feet, and face (especially under the eyes).
3. Chronic fatigue and exhaustion
The hormone ‘Erythropoietin’ (EPO), produced by the kidneys, helps the body produce red blood cells. When the kidneys fail, this hormone decreases and anemia occurs. This can cause severe fatigue and dizziness.
4. Dry and itchy skin
When waste products and excess minerals in the blood cannot be excreted properly, they accumulate under the skin. This can cause severe itching and dry skin all over the body.
5. Shortness of Breath
Feeling short of breath and wheezing while doing small tasks or climbing stairs can be a symptom of kidney disease. This is because the excess water accumulated in the body fills the lungs and the body does not get enough oxygen due to anemia.
6. Metallic taste in the mouth and loss of appetite
A condition called ‘Uremia’, in which waste products accumulate in the blood, can cause a metallic or bitter taste in the mouth no matter what you eat. In addition, you may feel aversion to food and may feel nauseous or vomit when you wake up in the morning.
When should you see a doctor?
If you have one or more of the above symptoms, see a doctor immediately and get a kidney function test (KFT) or urine test. People with diabetes and BP should have these tests done at least once a year to help prevent kidney damage in the first place.
