We are naturally blessed that we have organs, in the form of a pair of a filtering device called kidneys in our body.
They filter blood, remove toxins, and throw out waste in the form of urine and other functions.
However, some people may have silent kidney disease and do not know about it. There are some signs before a person experiences kidney failure.
These signs we should understand and it is essential to look out for such signs and take necessary actions.
In this article, we will discuss some warning signs of toxic kidneys.
If any one of these signs appears in isolation it may not be a case of kidney disorder. However, prompt investigation of the health of one’s kidney is essential if any of these symptoms are seen together.
- Acidic urine
This means that a person’s urine has a low pH level. Usually, the urine pH range is between 4.5 and 8. If pH is under 6, then urine is acidic. Earlier to check. If things are acidic or alkaline, people used to use litmus paper. Dip it and see it. Now for urine, you need not do that. If the urine has a very strong smell, that ammonia type of smell and if the urine’s color is darker, we should check.
A person may have acidic urine when the amount of sodium and excess acid retained by the body increases. Now, this condition can be a result of dehydration, it may have kidney failure or urinary tract infection.
Unfortunately, acidic urine can create an environment where kidney stones can be formed.
- Itchiness of the body
If somebody constantly feels like scratching their body, it is a condition called uraemic pruritus. Extremely itchy skin is a common symptom of advanced kidney problems.
A person’s skin may itch all over the body or certain specific parts of the body such as the head, arm, back, and abdomen. This itching tends to be worse at night which can disturb one’s sleep.
3. Swelling
Excess swelling is also known as edema. This edema may happen when a person’s kidneys are not able to remove excess fluid from the body. The condition causes swelling, particularly in one’s feet or ankles. If you press the finger on a swollen part, it causes depression in the skin. This is because of the sodium retention in the body.
There is also one more type of swelling that causes puffiness around the eyes. This is one of the earlier signs of a kidney disorder. This is seen in cases where there is a leakage of protein in the kidney.
4. High blood pressure
Our kidneys and the circulatory system depend on each other for good health. The kidneys help to filter waste and extra fluid from the blood by using a lot of blood vessels. So, how does high blood pressure affect the kidney?
High blood pressure can constrain and narrow the blood vessels. Over time, this condition damages and weakens blood vessels throughout the body including in the kidneys.
When the blood vessels become damaged, the nephrons that filter blood don’t receive enough oxygen. Oxygen and nutrients they need to function well and it may cause kidney failure.
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