Early Signs Of Chronic Kidney Disease

When kidneys are unable to remove potassium from the bloodstream, then there can be abnormalities in our heart rhythms which might lead to sudden death.

At an early stage, kidney diseases do not show any symptoms because the body’s ability to cope with a significant reduction in kidney function is high. Most of the time, people attribute the physical signs of kidney disease to other hypertension health conditions.  Kidney disease usually gets detected in the last stage, when the kidneys start to fail or when large amounts of protein are found in the urine. Kidney disease may have minimal or sometimes no symptoms in the initial stage

What are the stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and can it be detected in the early stage?

There are five stages of CKD depending on how well the kidneys are working which get worse with time. In the early stages, the kidneys can filter waste out of the blood significantly. In the fourth and fifth stages, the kidneys work very hard to filter the blood and sometimes might even stop working altogether.

The different stages of CKD are: –

• Normal Stage 1:- The value of GFR is 90 or greater.
• Mild Stage 2:- The value of GFR is between 60 and 89
• Moderate Stage 3:- The Value of GFR is between 30 and 59
• Severe Stage 4:- The Value of GFR is between 30 and 59

GFR is Glomerular Filtration Rate is considered to be the best test in measuring the level of kidney function and determining various stages of chronic kidney disease. A medical expert can calculate it from various factors such as the blood creatinine test results, age, race, gender, and other factors.

The chances of slowing down or stopping the progression are good if the chronic kidney disease can be detected in the early stages.

The only way to detect a kidney disease is through regular blood tests. People with a family history of kidney failure, high blood pressure, and diabetes are a high-risk zone and should consult the doctor if they find any of the following early signs or symptoms in their body.

• Tiredness: –

Fatigue is one of the commonly found symptoms. Feeling of weakness or poor concentration and having less energy is an indication. Toxins and impurities are built up in the blood in a severe kidney disease which can cause people to feel weak, tired, and difficult to concentrate on things.

• Trouble Sleep: –

Toxins remain in the blood and get flushed away through the urine when the kidneys aren’t filtering properly. This condition makes it difficult to sleep properly. Sleep apnea is more common in people with chronic kidney disease.

• Itchy and dry skin: –

Many important jobs are done by healthy kidneys. Kidneys make red blood cells, remove extra fluid and waste from the body, help maintain the right amount of minerals in the blood and keep the bones strong. Itchy and dry skin is a sign of mineral and bone deficiency associated with chronic kidney diseases when the kidney’s ability to keep the right balance of minerals and nutrients inthe blood is affected.

•  Frequent Urination: –

The body’s need to urinate frequently, especially at night is a symptom of kidney disease. The urge to urinate increases when the kidney’s filters are damaged. Sometimes this is also a symptom of enlarged prostate in men or urinary infection.

• Blood in urine: –

While filtering wastes from the blood to create urine, healthy kidneys keep the blood cells in the body. So, when the kidney’s filters are damaged, the blood cells can leak out in the urine.

• Swollen feet and ankles: –

When the kidneys don’t function properly, sodium is retained in the blood which can cause swelling in the feet and ankles of the body.

• Puffiness around eyes: –

Puffiness around the eyes is caused when large amounts of protein are leaked into the urine.

• Muscle Cramping: –

Impaired kidney function can lead to electrolyte imbalance in the body. High levels of phosphorus and low calcium in the body can result in muscle cramping.

• Foamy Urine: –

Excessive bubbles are found in the urine when large amounts of protein get flushed from the body. The foam looks quite similar to the foam of scrambling eggs.