The kidneys are one of the most important organs in the human body! And, the main function and purpose of the kidneys are to remove excess fluid and waste products from the body. The kidneys are organs that are located in the upper abdominal area against the back muscles on both the left and right side of the body. And, remember – it’s extremely important for you to pay attention to all kidney problems and they should be treated seriously as a great issue in the nowadays medicine. According to the latest statistics, almost 20,000,000 Americans are having some kind of kidney disease or problem. The best way to treat some kind of kidney problem or a disease is to find the actual cause. And, probably, the most common causes for kidney problems are high blood pressure and diabetes. Also, it may come as a consequence of some genetic disorder.
Most Common Symptoms of Kidney Disease – Don’t Ignore Them:
Back pain
First of all, you should know that kidney pain and back pain can be difficult to distinguish, but kidney pain is usually deeper and higher in the and back located under the ribs while the muscle pain with common back injury tends to be lower in the back. Causes of kidney pain are mainly urinary tract infections and kidney stones. However, there are many other causes of kidney pain, including penetrating and blunt trauma that can result in a “lacerated kidney.”
Changes in Urination
As we all know, the kidneys make urine! So, when the kidneys are failing – the urine may change. How?
Here’s what you need to know:
You may have to get up at night to urinate.
Urine may be foamy or bubbly.
You may urinate more often, or in greater amounts than usual, with pale urine.
You may urinate less often, or in smaller amounts than usual, with dark-colored urine.
Your urine may contain blood.
You may feel pressure or have difficulty urinating.
Skin Rash/Itching
Kidneys remove wastes from the bloodstream. When the kidneys fail, the build-up of wastes in your blood can cause severe itching.
Swelling
Failing kidneys don’t remove extra fluid, which builds up in your body causing swelling in the legs, ankles, feet, face, and/or hands.
Fatigue
Healthy kidneys make a hormone called erythropoietin (a-rith’-ro-po’-uh-tin), or EPO, that tells your body to make oxygen-carrying red blood cells. As the kidneys fail, they make less EPO. With fewer red blood cells to carry oxygen, your muscles and brain tire very quickly. This is anemia, and it can be treated.
Five simple tips that can help you keep your kidneys in good shape:
Stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of fluid will help your kidneys function properly
Eat healthy
Watch your blood pressure
Don’t smoke or drink too much alcohol
Keep slim to help your kidneys.