12 Signs of Poor Kidney Function
When kidney function is poor, many wastes are difficult to excrete through urine, leading to symptoms like listlessness, fatigue, and weakness. I have encountered many patients with urinary tract infections. Due to untimely and incomplete early treatment, and without understanding that it could lead to poor kidney function, they missed the best treatment window by the time it was discovered.
1. Weakness
When kidney function is poor, many wastes are difficult to excrete through urine, leading to symptoms like listlessness, fatigue, and weakness. When the kidneys are diseased, nutrients like protein can leak from the kidneys and be excreted through urine, also causing a feeling of weakness. Some patients may attribute this to overwork or other reasons, overlooking the kidney problem.
2. Loss of Appetite
Not wanting to eat, loss of appetite, and even nausea and vomiting are also common symptoms of kidney disease. Some patients always go to the gastroenterology or hepatology department first to check for stomach or liver problems. When they find they don't have these conditions, they drop the matter and forget to see a kidney doctor, which delays the diagnosis.
3. Foamy Urine
There are several reasons for foamy urine. If protein leaks from the kidneys into the urine, it will cause many bubbles.
4. Back Pain
The kidneys are located on both sides of the spine in the lower back, so when the kidneys are diseased, one may feel back pain.
5. Changes in Urination Frequency and Volume
A healthy person urinates about 4-6 times a day, with a urine volume of about 800-2000 ml. If the frequency and volume of urination are too high or too low, you should pay attention.
6. Edema
Drinking too much water, sleeping for too long, or being overweight can cause mild edema in the eyelids, face, lower legs, etc. If this is not the case, you should suspect a possible kidney problem.
7. Proteinuria and Hematuria
The presence of protein or blood in the urine is an important indicator of kidney disease, which can be confirmed by a routine urine test. However, doctors not specializing in nephrology may sometimes overlook this. It is best to consult with a kidney specialist.
8. Anemia
Anemia patients often see a hematologist for their condition. In fact, besides its excretory functions, the kidneys also have an endocrine function, secreting hormones that stimulate blood cell production. When kidney function is impaired, it can also lead to anemia.
9. Diabetes
Diabetes can cause kidney disease, known as diabetic nephropathy, which is a complication of diabetes. Diabetic nephropathy has five stages. The treatment is more effective in the early stages, but once it progresses, it becomes difficult to treat and can develop into uremia. Therefore, diabetic patients must regularly see a kidney specialist.
10. High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure can cause hypertensive nephropathy, also known as hypertensive renal damage. Therefore, people with high blood pressure should be extra cautious. Of course, kidney disease can also lead to high blood pressure. If your blood pressure is high, be alert to the possibility of having kidney disease.
11. Gout and Hyperuricemia
Gout and hyperuricemia are caused by excessive uric acid in the blood. In people with high blood uric acid, uric acid can deposit in the kidneys, damaging their function.
12. Urinary Tract Infections
Frequent urinary tract infections, over time, can lead to kidney insufficiency. I have encountered many patients with urinary tract infections. Due to untimely and incomplete early treatment, and without understanding that it could lead to poor kidney function, they missed the best treatment window by the time it was discovered.