Signs You Need a Kidney Health Checkup: What Symptoms to Look For
Your kidneys play an important role in maintaining your overall health. They filter the waste and excess fluids in your blood, they produce hormones to help regulate your blood pressure and maintain the balance of electrolytes for your muscle function. Your kidneys are vital in keeping your body’s ability to function properly. Keeping an eye for any signs of kidney dysfunction is important for your long-term health.
If you are experiencing symptoms that may indicate a problem with your kidneys, it’s important to schedule a check-up with the best nephrologist in Brooklyn, NY. Doral Health and Wellness Urology Center have the best doctors that can perform a kidney function test for an appropriate diagnosis.
Here are some of the signs that may suggest you might need a kidney check-up:
- Changes in Urination – If you notice an increase or decrease in your urination, waking up frequently to urinate at night, difficulty starting urination, or noticing that your urine is dark, cloudy, foamy, or has a strong odor. Changes in urination can be an indication of kidney dysfunction, especially if it is accompanied by blood in your urine (hematuria) or persistent foamy urine, which may indicate protein leakage.
- Swelling (Edema) – When the kidneys are not filtering properly, excess fluid builds up in the body, leading to swelling. Swelling in your hands, feet, ankles, or face. This is often linked to kidney problems like chronic kidney disease or nephrotic syndrome.
- Fatigue or Weakness – You may start feeling excessively tired, weak, or unable to concentrate. Kidneys help produce a hormone (erythropoietin) that signals your body to make red blood cells. When kidney function declines, this can lead to anemia, which causes fatigue.
- Persistent High Blood Pressure – When you have a difficulty controlling high blood pressure or newly diagnosed high blood pressure. High blood pressure is both a cause and a result of kidney disease. The kidneys play an important role in regulating blood pressure, and dysfunction can lead to uncontrolled hypertension.
- Pain in the Back or Side – Pain in the lower back, side, or near your kidney area (just below your rib cage). This could be a sign of kidney stones, an infection, or kidney inflammation. If accompanied by fever or chills, it may indicate a kidney infection (pyelonephritis).
- Nausea or Vomiting – When your kidney function decreases, waste products can build up in your blood (uremia), leading to nausea, vomiting, or a lack of appetite or a metallic taste in your mouth.
- Shortness of Breath – You may have trouble breathing or feeling out of breath with minimal exertion. This can happen due to fluid buildup in your lungs caused by kidney dysfunction or anemia resulting from kidney disease.
- Itchy Skin or Rashes – These are the persistent itching or skin rashes without a clear cause. When your kidneys are not filtering out toxins properly, waste can build up in your bloodstream, causing itching and skin irritation.
- Blood in the Urine – Your color may appear pink, red, or cola colored. This is a serious sign that may indicate kidney stones, infections, or more severe conditions like kidney damage or cancer.
- Trouble Sleeping – Poor kidney function can contribute to sleep issues due to muscle cramps, restless leg syndrome, or frequent trips to the bathroom.
- Loss of Appetite or Weight Loss – Kidney disease can lead to loss of appetite due to the buildup of waste in your body, making food less appealing or causing nausea. When this happens, you might experience unexplained weight loss or a significant decrease in appetite
If you experience any combination of these symptoms, especially changes in urination or persistent swelling, it’s important to seek medical advice immediately. Early detection of kidney issues can prevent further damage and lead to more effective treatment options. Blood and urine tests, along with imaging, such as an ultrasound, can help assess your kidney function and guide further care.
At Doral Health and Wellness Urology Center, our urologists and nephrologists in Brooklyn, New York can help you treat and manage your condition well. To schedule an appointment, you may call us at 1-347-384-5694 or visit our website at https://www.urologistbrooklyn.com/. You can also visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11212.