When they are a deviation from your normal state of health, certain signs and symptoms begin to pop up. These signs are objective evidence of disease that represent the complaints of the patient, and that is why the doctor ask necessary questions so as to ascertain the kind of disease a patient is suffering from. But the doctor, as a skilled observer, can also look, palpate and percuss a patient to know what is wrong with him or her.
In the cause of this article, you will get familiarized with some of the symptoms of kidney disease. The essence is to enable you to detect the disease timely, then go to a doctor to confirm it through a test before necessary treatments can follow. However, I will like to talk about the kidney organ, the functions and the disease that most affect them.
The kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs found in all vertebrates. The kidneys are some of the most sacrosanct organs in your body which are positioned at the back of the abdominal cavity, with one sitting on each side of the spine.
The right kidney is generally slightly smaller and lower than the left, so that the liver can position well.
Each kidney weighs about 125–170 grams (g) in males and about 115–155 g in females.
A tough, fibrous renal capsule surrounds each kidney. Beyond that, two layers of fat serve as protection. The adrenal glands lay on top of the kidneys.
Inside the kidneys are a number of pyramid-shaped lobes. Each is made up of an outer renal cortex and an inner renal medulla. Nephrons flow between these sections. These are the urine-making structures of the kidneys.
Blood flows into the kidneys through the renal arteries and flows out through the renal veins. The kidneys are relatively small organs but collect 20–25 percent of the heart’s output.
Each kidney removes urine through a tube called the ureter that is connected to the bladder.
Functions of the kidneys.
It is mostly known by people that the key functions of the kidneys is to remove waste products and excess fluid from their body. These waste products and excess fluid are removed in the form of urine. The making of urine follows complex steps of excretion and re-absorption. This process is very important to help maintain a stable balance of your body chemicals. Other functions of the kidneys include:
• Production of an active form of vitamin D that enhance strong, healthy bones.
• Removal of drugs from the body.
• The kidneys regulate the production of red blood cells
• It helps in balancing your body’s fluids.
• Release hormones that regulate your blood pressure.
Some of the types of kidney diseases include:
Kidney function will eventually deteriorate to the point where the kidneys can no longer carry out their functions effectively.
Kidney diseases don’t just erupt, it mostly triggered by a man’s actions which range from his or her lifestyle to eating habits. The things you consume without a limitation to its amount is a risk factor for kidney disease. Some of this thing you consume that affects your kidneys are salt, sugar, alcohol, red meat, cigarette, painkillers, medications.
Some of the kidney diseases include:
• Chronic Kidney Disease. It is a long-term condition that doesn’t improve over time. It’s commonly triggered by high blood pressure.
• Polycystic Kidney Disease. It is a genetic disorder that leads to cysts (small sacs of fluid) developing in your kidneys. These cysts can disrupt your kidney function and result in kidney failure.
• Kidney Stones. They occur when minerals and other substances in the blood crystallize in your kidneys, forming solid masses (stones). Kidney stones usually come out of the body while passing out urine.
• Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs). They are bacterial infections of any part of the urinary system. Infections in the bladder and urethra are the most common.
• Glomerulonephritis. It is an inflammation of the glomeruli (small structures inside the kidneys that filter the blood). Glomerulonephritis can be as a result of infections, drugs, or congenital abnormalities (disorders that occur during or shortly after birth). It often gets better on its own.
Once your kidney is affected by any of the above diseases, there are some signs and symptoms your body will begin to experience. It is good to know it in order for you to detect it from a very early stage. Certain signs of kidney disease include;
1. Frequent urge to urinate
When the filters of the kidneys are no longer effective, it can cause a rise in your desire to urinate, hence this is a very severe sign of an affected kidney.
2. You experience continuous puffiness around your eyes
An affected kidney will be unable to retain protein and as a result puffiness around the eyes begins to occur when a very large amount of protein start entering your urine.
3. You lose your appetite
The accumulation of toxins in your body due to an affected kidney can result into poor appetite, that is your feeling to eat food is no longer as usual.
4. Fatigue
Kidney disease can make you more tired, have less energy and trouble concentrating. This is as a result of toxins that accumulate in the blood and this can make you feel exhausted, weak and very difficult to concentrate. Kidney disease can even cause anaemia which can lead to weakness and tiredness.
5. You have dry and itchy skin
Once your kidneys are no longer able to maintain the right balance of minerals and nutrients in the blood, it can cause mineral and bone disease which later transform to dry and itchy skin.
6. Poor sleep
As a result of frequent urination caused by the kidney, you may begin to have poor sleep at night. This is because you always stand up in the night to pass out urine from your body.
7. Nausea
It is a feeling of physical unwellness, usually with the desire to vomit. Kidney disease makes you have dislike foods, and sometimes when you attempt to eat food you end up vomiting the food from your stomach.
Once these symptoms are experienced please visit a doctor immediately. Also, limit your intake if alcohol, salt, sugar, red meat, and seek medical expert consent before using any medication or pain killer. Adhere strictly to these health tips while noting the fact that “health is wealth”.
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