6 signs that your kidneys may be failing
Your kidneys are vital to your overall health. They are responsible for many functions, from processing bodily waste to producing hormones.
The kidneys are organs of the urinary system, known for their crucial role in removing toxins and excess fluid from the body. They help regulate sodium and potassium levels in the blood, thereby maintaining stable blood pressure.
Healthy kidneys filter waste from the blood at a rate of 90 ml per minute or more. This is called the glomerular filtration rate, or GFR. Over time, many men's kidneys begin to decline in function, but you won't feel the effects immediately.
On the other hand, a lack of early warning signs from symptoms can cause you to miss opportunities to slow the damage. Most people don't start feeling really sick until their kidney function drops below 10%.
The kidneys have a compensatory capacity. When one kidney's function declines, the opposite kidney can increase its activity to compensate. Therefore, kidney diseases are often subtle and difficult to detect. The best way to protect the kidneys is to control blood sugar and blood pressure. Diabetes and hypertension are the two main culprits in two-thirds of kidney failure patients.
According to the Vietnam Institute of Applied Medicine, if you experience any of the following symptoms, you should get checked immediately without waiting for your annual check-up:
Swelling and weight gain
The kidneys play a role in eliminating waste products through urine. When kidney function declines, these substances are retained instead of being eliminated, increasing fluid retention in the tissues, causing edema and weight gain.
Edema is one of the warning signs of kidney disease. Photo: Getty
Small amount of urine
When the kidneys become less active, water retention increases in the tissues, and the amount of water excreted (urine) also decreases, even if you drink plenty of water.
Feeling tired and sleepy.
One of the important functions of the kidneys is regulating hemoglobin levels in the blood. When this function is impaired, the body shows signs of anemia, causing symptoms such as fatigue and drowsiness.
Loss of appetite, nausea, difficulty thinking clearly.
This symptom is explained by the prolonged accumulation of toxins and waste products in the body, disrupting the functioning of the stomach and brain.
High blood pressure
When the kidneys are damaged, their ability to regulate blood pressure is also affected. The pressure in the blood vessels remains consistently high, harming the blood vessels leading to the kidneys and further exacerbating kidney failure.
Heart rhythm disorders
The kidneys regulate the amount of potassium in the blood. Potassium is the main ion in cells responsible for ensuring the proper functioning of the heart muscle by generating and conducting impulses. Therefore, changes in potassium levels can cause heart rhythm disturbances.
Note: Protect your kidneys.
To protect your kidneys, you need to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle. Photo: Getty
You should have an annual health check-up to detect any health problems early. If you are using medications that affect the kidneys, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), certain antibiotics, iodine-containing medications, or lithium, you should consult a specialist doctor.
In addition, according tographlineTo protect your kidneys, you need to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle. Regular exercise is not only good for your waistline, but it can also reduce your risk of chronic kidney disease.
It can also lower blood pressure and improve cardiovascular health, both of which are important for preventing kidney damage.
At the same time, remember to drink plenty of water. Drinking 8 glasses of water a day is a good goal as it encourages you to stay hydrated. Drinking water regularly and consistently is good for your kidneys.
Water helps remove sodium and toxins from the kidneys. It also reduces the risk of chronic kidney disease.
