From foamy urine to fatigue: 6 signs of kidney damage that often go unnoticed

Kidneys have the responsibility to eliminate waste, regulate fluids, and keep the body in general good health. If kidneys start to fail or become stressed, warning signs may be subtle at first. But physical symptoms may already be present early on that give a clue that something is amiss. Early recognition of these warning signs can prevent further damage to the kidneys and enable earlier medical intervention.
The following are some of the most apparent and common indications of kidney damage that cannot be ignored.

One of the earliest indicators of kidney damage may be an excess of foam or bubbles in the urine. It is due to protein loss. Normal kidneys keep protein from escaping through the urine. When kidneys are damaged, protein (primarily albumin) can escape into the urine and be responsible for chronic frothiness. It might appear like the type of foam that appears after flushing the toilet cleaner

Fluid retention is another indication of impaired kidneys. If the kidneys cannot filter out excess water and salt, it is deposited in the tissues and causes visible swelling or a puffy appearance. This is easiest to detect in lower legs, ankles, and feet. Puffiness is also generally observed around the eyes in the morning. It is often also confused with typical fatigue or sleep deprivation, but frequent recurrence indicates poor or NO filtration by the kidneys.

A frequent urge to urinate is most commonly associated with kidney issues. If the kidneys are damaged, they lose their ability to filter the fluids properly, and that would cause an individual to use the restroom more often despite average fluid intake. This can also have something to do with the age factor or conditions such as diabetes, but if it occurs suddenly or in combination with other symptoms, it would be advisable to have kidney function done.

Color changes in urine may also be a sign that something is wrong. Dark yellow, brown, or tea-colored urine may indicate the presence of blood or waste. Blood in the urine may be a symptom of kidney stones, infection, or more severe underlying tissue damage. Waste not efficiently excreted from the body also impacts urine color and concentration.

When the kidneys don't work properly, waste and toxins stay in the bloodstream for a longer time. This can cause overall weakness, muscle weakness, and impaired concentration. In later stages of kidney disease, the body might also produce less erythropoietin, a hormone that leads to the stimulation of red blood cells. For this reason, individuals will become anemic, which results in fatigue and causes shortness of breath and dizziness.

A metallic or ammonia flavor in the mouth, and with chronic halitosis, is also an indicator of kidney dysfunction. This occurs when waste products such as urea begin to accumulate in the blood and interfere with the sense of taste and saliva. Food tastes unusual or bitter, leading to a loss of appetite, and is also a frequent symptom in patients with reduced kidney function.

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Keep your kidneys healthy through a healthy diet

Take care of these signs and get timely treatment.(Image: Canva)

Please consult a medical health professional if issues persist.