Did you know that our kidney is the largest organ in our body? It also does a lot of work to keep our health intact and our body’s functioning. The liver is responsible for filtering our blood. It cleanses our blood and removes harmful substances in the process. The liver is responsible for our metabolism and provides our body with helpful proteins. The liver stores glycogen and vitamins and maintains levels in the body by removing cholesterol and affecting blood sugar levels. The liver produces bile, a fluid that helps digest food and carry away waste. As you can see, maintaining a healthy liver is vital to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. If it’s not being taken care of this can cause problems. Below are 8 warning signs of potential kidney problems.
Always Tired
Are you always tired? If so, that could be the signs of potential kidney problems. Kidneys filter waste from your blood and ship it out in your pee. When your kidneys don’t work right, toxins can build up. One common tipoff is fatigue. You may feel spent, weak, or have trouble concentrating. Kidneys make a hormone that tells your body to create red blood cells. If you have fewer of them, your blood can’t deliver as much oxygen to your muscles and brain as they need.
Issues Sleeping
Having troubles with sleeping at night? Studies show a possible link between sleep apnea and chronic kidney disease (CKD), which over time damages your organs and may lead to kidney failure. Sleep apnea may hurt your kidneys in part by preventing your body from getting enough oxygen. CKD in turn may cause sleep apnea by narrowing your throat, toxin buildup, and other ways.
Skin Is Itchy
Do you have episodes where it feels like your skin is itchy? This may happen if your kidneys can’t flush out toxins and they build up in your blood. That can cause a rash or make you itch all over. Over time, your kidneys may not be able to balance the minerals and nutrients in your body. This can lead to mineral and bone disease, which can make your skin dry and itchy.
Swollen Feet and Face
Have you noticed that your feet or face is swollen? When your kidneys can’t get rid of sodium well, fluids build up in your body. That may lead to puffy hands, feet, ankles, legs, or a puffy face. You might notice swelling especially in your feet and ankles. And protein leaking out in your urine can show up as puffiness around your eyes.
Breathlessness
Do you feel like you can breathe suddenly? When you have kidney disease, your organs don’t make enough of a hormone called erythropoietin. The hormones signal your body to make red blood cells. Without it, you can get anemia and feel short of breath. Another cause is fluid buildup. You might have a hard time catching your breath. In serious cases, lying down may make you feel like you’re drowning.
Little to No Appetite
Do you have little to no appetite? Have you chalked it up to the record hot temperatures? Kidney disease can cause nausea or vomiting and upset your stomach. That may leave you with a little craving for food. That sometimes may lead to weight loss.
Bad Breath
When your kidneys can’t filter out waste, it can cause a condition called uremia. That can make your mouth smell. Also, toxins in your bloodstream can give food a metallic or off taste.
Check Your Urine
Has your urine changed color over time? Bubbly pee could be a sign of too much protein called albumin. That can result from kidney issues. So can brownish or very pale urine. Faulty kidney function also may let blood leak into your bladder. Blood in your urine also can be caused by kidney stones, tumors, or an infection.
