Kidney Disease Kidney disease (English: Kidney Disease) is a chronic condition often called a “silent threat” because many patients have no clear symptoms in the early stages. This lack of obvious signs means many people are unaware their kidney function is declining. If left undiagnosed and untreated for a long time, it can lead to chronic kidney failure, significantly impacting long-term quality of life.
Although early-stage kidney disease does not show severe symptoms, the body often sends warning signals that can be noticed. Recognizing these early and undergoing tests promptly increases the chance of slowing kidney decline and preventing complications.
Kidney disease can arise from various causes. The most common factors are diabetes and high blood pressure, which damage the blood vessels within the kidneys, reducing their waste-filtering efficiency. It can also result from urinary tract infections, kidney stones, kidney inflammation, genetic disorders, and risky behaviors such as consuming very salty foods, drinking insufficient water, smoking, or prolonged use of certain painkillers.
Chronic kidney disease is classified into 5 stages based on kidney function efficiency.
1. Abnormal urination
One key sign of kidney disease is a change in urination patterns, such as urinating more frequently, especially at night, urinating less, or unusually dark urine. These changes may reflect declining kidney function.
2. Foamy urine
If urine is excessively foamy and the bubbles do not disappear quickly, this may indicate protein leakage into the urine, a common early symptom of kidney disease.
3. Swelling in the body
When the kidneys cannot function fully, the body struggles to eliminate excess water and salt, causing swelling around the face, eyes, hands, feet, or ankles, especially after waking in the morning.
4. Loss of appetite, nausea, or vomiting
Accumulation of waste products in the body due to reduced kidney function can affect the digestive system, leading to frequent loss of appetite, nausea, or vomiting.
5. Fatigue and unusual tiredness
The kidneys help produce hormones that stimulate red blood cell production. Reduced kidney function may cause anemia, resulting in weakness, easy fatigue, and lack of energy for daily activities.
6. Back or lower waist pain
Pain in the lower back or side may be related to kidney abnormalities, such as kidney stones or certain kidney diseases. Persistent pain or pain accompanied by other symptoms should prompt a medical evaluation.
7. Numbness or abnormal nerve sensations in hands and feet
When waste accumulates in the blood, it can affect the nervous system, causing numbness in the extremities or a prickling sensation in the arms and legs.
8. Frequent cramps or muscle spasms
The kidneys regulate the body's mineral balance. Impaired kidney function can alter mineral levels, leading to cramps, muscle spasms, or muscle weakness.
9. Pallor or anemia
Many kidney disease patients appear pale or experience dizziness due to reduced red blood cell production caused by declining kidney function.
10. Increased susceptibility to infections
Kidney disease can affect various bodily systems, weakening the immune system and making the body more prone to infections or slower recovery from illnesses.
Although kidney disease can affect anyone, high-risk groups include: People with diabetes, high blood pressure, a family history of kidney disease, or obesity. Also, those who use certain painkillers continuously for a long time should have their kidney health checked regularly, at least once a year, to detect any early abnormalities.
Treatment depends on the type and severity of the disease. If detected early and properly treated, some conditions can be controlled to prevent progression.
However, most chronic kidney diseases cannot fully restore kidney function. Treatment focuses on slowing kidney deterioration, controlling risk factors, and reducing complications, aiming to maintain the best possible quality of life for patients.
Source information:Rama 9 Hospital