The kidney is one of the most important parts of our bodies. In addition to removing waste and extra fluid from the body, they keep blood pressure in check. However, if the kidneys aren’t working right, it can lead to kidney disease, which can be fatal if it’s not treated quickly.

Finding the signs of kidney disease as soon as possible is very important to avoid doing damage that can’t be fixed. This article talks about the 12 most important signs of kidney disease that you should be aware of.

Changes in urinary function: The first sign of renal disease is a change in how often and how much you urinate. It’s possible for the amount of urine you pass to drastically rise or fall. You may also notice that your urine is getting darker. You should start writing down how many times you go to the bathroom every day and what you notice if your urine function changes.

pain or trouble urinating: If you can’t empty your bladder or feel pressure or pain while doing so, you may have a urinary tract infection. It’s best to catch it early because it could move to your kidneys.

Urine with blood in it: Blood in the urine is a clear sign that the kidneys aren’t working right. If you notice this sign, you should see a doctor right away because blood in the urine has been linked to a number of bladder cancers.

Your kidneys get rid of all the extra waste and water in your body, which is why your urine is thick. When they can’t do that, waste and extra fluid start to build up in your body. If this happens, the person will feel their hands and ankles getting tight, their face getting puffy, and their feet and ankles swelling.

Growth or edema: The bladder and kidneys are connected, so when the kidneys stop working, the bladder is the first organ to be affected. When your body has too many fluids and waste, it can cause edema, which is another word for swelling.

Being very tired: Healthy kidneys make a hormone called erythropoietin, which helps red blood cells carry oxygen. When your kidneys aren’t working right, your levels of this hormone drop by a lot. Because of this sudden drop in red blood cells, your body gets tired and worn out.

Unsteadiness and trouble focusing: When your kidneys make you tired, this lack of oxygen also affects your brain. You might feel dizzy because of this, and it might be hard to focus. This is because your brain works more slowly when it doesn’t have enough oxygen.

Getting cold all the time: If you have renal disease and your body stops getting enough iron, you may feel cold in warm places. People who have pyelonephritis in their kidneys can also get fevers and chills.

Itching and irritation of the skin: Rash can be a sign of kidney disease and failure, but it can also be mistaken for signs of other illnesses, like allergies. This happens when your kidneys stop working properly, which also makes waste build up in your blood. This is what makes skin rashes and itching so bad.

The amount of urea in the blood rises when kidneys fail, giving you a metallic taste and ammonia breath. In this case, the urea is changed into ammonia in the saliva. This causes ammonia breath, a type of bad breath that smells like urine. Also, too much waste that needs to leave the body can make you feel sick and make you throw up.

breathing problems: If your kidney disease gets worse enough that fluid builds up in your lungs, you may have trouble breathing. You have anemia, which is another kidney disease that can cut off your body from oxygen.

Having any of these symptoms does not always mean that you have kidney damage. This is very important to remember. You should still look into these symptoms and talk to your doctor if you have them, even though many of them are linked to other illnesses and infections. Doing so could help save your kidneys.