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Identifying Symptoms For Kidney Problems

Kidney problem symptoms share some characteristics, but there are a number of differences according to the cause of the kidney problem you have.

 

In some cases, symptoms of kidney problems don’t show up for years. Meanwhile, kidney function may be deteriorating without the individual even knowing something is wrong. This is not unusual in cases of chronic kidney failure.

 

However, kidney problems such as acute kidney failure or kidney stones can begin with a quick onset of symptoms, which may include intense pain.

 

This article will focus on providing a quick list and description of symptoms for kidney problems that are common today. It’s important to talk to your doctor as soon as you can if you start to experience one or more of the kidney problem symptoms described below.

 

Kidney disease is a general term used to describe any kidney problem that causes damage to the nephrons. These are the tiny tissues that filter the blood. Two of the primary symptoms of kidney disease are dark, cloudy, or blood-tinged urine and pain while urinating. You may feel the need to urinate more even when little or no urine is produced. Muscle weakness, fatigue and higher blood pressure is also typical in kidney disease cases.

 

Another type of kidney problem is a kidney condition, which may occur in one of two forms: chronic or acute. Kidney infections begin when germs enter the urinary tract and start multiplying. In chronic cases, years may pass before any symptoms appear. But acute infection symptoms can come on quickly and cause intense discomfort. When you have an acute kidney infection, you’re likely to have cloudy, discolored urine that carries an unpleasant odor. Back pain, chills, fever, fatigue and muscle weakness are also typical.

 

Kidney failure occurs when kidney disease or kidney infection symptoms go unnoticed or are ignored. The kidneys simply stop working when illness or damage prevent them from filtering the blood and removing wastes and toxins. As fluids begin to accumulate, someone with kidney failure will notice generalized swelling. Shortness of breath is common, as is fatigue, lethargy and overall weakness. As waste products build up, symptoms of this extremely serious kidney problem become more pronounced and may include loss of appetite, profound lethargy and decreased mental function and ability to think clearly. Someone with complete kidney failure only has two options for survival: kidney dialysis or kidney transplantation.

 

Kidney stones are exactly what their name says they are: small stones that form in the kidneys when crystals in the kidneys accumulate. The stones can be tiny, like a grain of sand. But some kidney stones grow as large as a golf ball. Kidney stones may or may not cause discomfort. But when they do, the pain can be agonizing. Anyone who has ever had severe kidney stone pain does not forget what it feels like. The pain is generally felt in the back, but it can also circle around the front to the abdomen and the genital area. Kidney stone symptoms are similar to other symptoms for kidney problems in that you feel the need to urinate frequently, even though little urine is actually produced. When you actually pass urine, it could be tinged with blood or dark and cloudy. You may also notice a foul odor. When you have kidney stones, nausea and vomiting are also typical.

 

Kidney cancer features some of the same kidney problem symptoms that also appear in other kidney conditions. Someone with kidney cancer is also likely to experience anemia, hypertension, low appetite, night sweats and weight loss.

 

Kidney cysts also sometimes take years to develop and you often don’t know they are there. Kidney cysts are pouches of air fluid or calcium that grow on your kidneys. Discolored urine is one of the primary symptoms of this condition. When pain occurs, it usually happens in the abdomen or back. Some people have simple kidney cysts that never cause symptoms at all.

 

Kidney damage is not always caused by disease or illness. Sometimes it can result from trauma – an auto accident or a heavy blow during athletic competition. Symptoms of kidney problems caused by tissue damage are a swollen abdomen, back and abdominal pain, and discolored urine. Other prominent symptoms include decreased alertness, higher-than-normal heart rate, pale skin, nausea and vomiting.

 

Symptoms of kidneys problems should not be brushed off as minor. If you experience any or some of the symptoms of kidney problems mentioned above, get medical attention as soon as you can.