In its early stages, kidney disease can be borderline undetectable: it does not always cause any noticeable symptoms, and those that do appear are often misattributed to preexisting health problems. Left unchecked, kidney disease can lead to organ failure, which is typically fatal without dialysis or a kidney transplant.
Read more to learn about the early warning signs of kidney disease, or contact Core Medicine of Idaho today to request an appointment.
A Quick Overview of Kidney Disease
Kidney disease is a chronic medical condition characterized by a gradual and long-term loss of kidney function. Healthy kidneys filter waste from the bloodstream, which is broken down and removed through urine. However, kidney disease makes it much more difficult for the body to properly dispose of waste, leading to dangerous accumulations of fluid and electrolytes.
Kidney Disease Risk Factors
Anyone can develop kidney disease, but having certain risk factors could increase your long-term risk. Some of the most common risk factors include:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Obesity
- Having a family history of chronic kidney disease
Having one or more risk factors doesn’t mean that you’ll ever develop kidney disease. However, if you think that you may be at risk, you shouldn’t ignore stubborn symptoms or hope that they’ll go away on their own.
Kidney Disease Symptoms
Kidney disease-related symptoms usually grow worse over time, making it more and more difficult for your kidneys to clear waste and regulate fluid. Although symptoms vary in severity, they could include:
- Nausea
- Unexplained bouts of vomiting
- Feelings of fatigue, tiredness, or weakness
- Problems staying or falling asleep
- Increased urination
Since many other conditions can cause these symptoms, it can be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat kidney disease before it progresses to an advanced stage.
Kidney Disease Outcomes
Some types of kidney disease can be treated, while others have no known cure.
In most cases, medical providers work with patients to treat the suspected cause of kidney disease. This could mean prescribing medication for high blood pressure or swelling, or it could mean referring you to a specialist for a transplant.
3 Early Warning Signs for Kidney Disease
The early warning signs of kidney disease are often too subtle to diagnose without an examination and laboratory testing. However, you may need to schedule an urgent care appointment if it seems like:
1. You’re Having Problems Using the Bathroom
Kidney disease can affect urination in many ways. You should seek immediate medical attention if you’ve noticed:
- Foam in your urine
- Blood in your urine
- Pain, burning, or other discomfort while urinating
Urinary problems have many causes besides kidney disease, but they can also be an early warning sign that your kidneys aren’t working to capacity.
2. You Feel Sick and Tired, but You’re Not Sure Why
If your kidneys aren’t working to capacity, you’ll eventually start to feel the effect throughout your body. You may feel unusually dizzy, constantly tired, or simply sick—symptoms that could be a result of stress or malnourishment, but which almost always signal some sort of trouble.
3. You’re Experiencing Unexplained Swelling
Failing kidneys aren’t nearly as effective in managing electrolytes, nutrition, and waste as healthy kidneys. Fluid and salt can build up in the bloodstream, causing different parts of the body—from your feet, legs, and ankles to your hands and face—to swell.
Don’t Take Chances with Your Health: Core Medicine of Idaho Could Help
Kidney disease is at its most treatable when it’s diagnosed early.
If you’re feeling under the weather but aren’t sure why, Core Medicine of Idaho could help you make sense of your symptoms and start working toward a long-term solution. Our Caldwell urgent care always strives to prioritize patient well-being, which is why we:
- Keep waiting times low
- Offer a variety of convenient on-site facilities, including a medical laboratory, a pharmacy, and X-ray imaging
- Employ experienced, compassionate staff who understand that minor complaints can sometimes underscore serious health concerns
You don’t have to take chances with your health: Core Medicine of Idaho could help you reclaim your health and take your first steps toward recovery.