Signs of bad kidneys

Pro Research Analysisby

Searched over 200M research papers

Analyzed relevant papers

Signs of Bad Kidneys

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Symptoms

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a long-term condition where the kidneys gradually lose function over time. Symptoms often do not appear until the disease is in an advanced stage. Common signs include tiredness, swollen ankles, feet, or hands, shortness of breath, nausea, and blood in the urine. Additionally, individuals may experience lethargy, itchiness, and loss of appetite. CKD is often detected through blood and urine tests before symptoms become apparent.

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) Symptoms

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is characterized by a sudden loss of kidney function. Symptoms include fluid retention leading to swelling in the lower extremities, decreased urine output, shortness of breath, fatigue, confusion, and irregular heartbeat. AKI is typically diagnosed by a rapid increase in serum creatinine or a decrease in urine output. It is common in hospital patients, especially those who are critically ill.

General Symptoms of Renal Failure

Renal failure, whether acute or chronic, presents with several overlapping symptoms. These include vomiting, swelling in the legs, loss of appetite, confusion, and tiredness. In chronic conditions, additional complications such as high blood pressure, anemia, and heart disease may arise. Symptoms like anorexia, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, weakness, pruritus, breathlessness, bleeding tendency, apathy, loss of mental concentration, and muscle twitching and cramps are also common.

Specific Renal Syndromes

Certain renal syndromes have distinct symptoms. For example, nephrotic syndrome is characterized by edema, proteinuria, and hypoalbuminemia. Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis, which can lead to AKI, presents with similar symptoms.

Diagnostic Indicators

Key diagnostic indicators for kidney issues include increased creatinine levels and decreased urine production for AKI, and a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) below 15 mL/min for CKD. Proteinuria and hematuria are also significant markers for kidney damage .

Conclusion

Recognizing the signs of bad kidneys is crucial for early intervention and management. Symptoms such as tiredness, swelling, shortness of breath, nausea, and changes in urine output are common indicators of kidney issues. Both CKD and AKI have specific symptoms and diagnostic markers that help in their identification and differentiation. Early detection through blood and urine tests can significantly improve outcomes for individuals with kidney disease.