Kidney disease is one of the common issues a significant population globally is struggling with. Unfortunately, most are unaware of it since the initial signs happen after some time once the condition has progressed and the kidney is damaged. When your kidney stops working appropriately, toxins and other impurities prevail in the blood rather than leaving the blood via urine production. If you are struggling with kidney disease and looking for treatment, Ghayyath Sultan, M.D. can help you. Since detecting the problem may be tricky, let’s explore some top red flags of kidney disease you should know.
Dry, Itchy Skin
Healthy kidneys are essential to your body as they do vital tasks. For instance, they facilitate the removal of waste and additional fluid from the body. Besides, they aid in creating red blood cells, keeping your bone strong, and maintaining the right amount of minerals in the blood. Unfortunately, when the kidneys can no longer maintain the right balance of minerals and nutrients in the blood, you are more vulnerable to experiencing dry and itchy skin.
Recurrent Urination
In some instances, people struggling with kidney disease assert that they feel the need to urinate more often, mainly at night. Once your kidney’s capability to filter wastes is damaged, there is an increase in the need to urinate. Furthermore, frequent urination may be a urinary tract infection (UTI) symptom. To evaluate your symptoms, you should contact your healthcare provider whenever you experience recurrent urination.
Fatigue
Healthy kidneys are responsible for making erythropoietin hormone that informs your body to create oxygen-carrying red blood cells. When the kidney fails, they manufacture less erythropoietin. As a result, when the red blood cells carrying oxygen are few, your brain and muscles get tired rapidly. If you notice fatigue when carrying out your daily chores, you should consult your provider for examinations.
Persistent Puffiness around the Eyes
Having protein is one of the early signs that your kidney’s filters are damaged. The damage causes the protein to outflow into the urine. Whenever you have kidney disease, you experience recurrent puffiness in the eye because the kidney may be leaking more protein in the urine than keeping it in the body. Your specialist can address this problem; thus, do not hesitate to consult your provider.
Breathe Shortness
The problem may occur after a little effort to breathe. The condition occurs when additional fluid in the body develops in the lungs. Alternatively, a deficiency of oxygen-carrying red blood cells leaves the body leading to oxygen starvation. The condition can be life-threatening; thus, you should consult your doctor if you have severe breathlessness. Also, seek assistance if you are unable to breathe after taking a rest for more than 30 minutes.
High Blood Pressure
Usually, excess development of fluid and sodium due to kidney failure surges the possibility of having higher blood pressure. The condition is dangerous as it may damage blood vessels in your kidneys, leading to a worsened kidney with time. Once the blood vessels are damaged, the nephrons responsible for filtering the blood fail to receive the oxygen and nutrients required to function properly.
The consequences of an untreated kidney can be devastating and life-threatening at the same time. If you have been looking for comprehensive treatment without success, look no further because Ghayyath Sultan, M.D. of Houston Kidney Specialists Center, will help you. The specialist has been an expert in offering passionate kidney failure treatment for a long time. To get started, visit or call one of Cypress and Houston, Texas offices today.