Swelling in the body
When the kidneys function poorly, the excretion of excess fluid is affected, leading to water retention in the body. This causes edema in the feet, ankles, hands, or face area, especially around the eyes. The swelling may become more obvious after standing for a long time or in the evening. If not controlled, fluid may accumulate more, causing shortness of breath due to lung effects.
Abnormal urination
Changes related to urination are often an early sign of kidney problems. You may urinate more, especially at night, or vice versa, urinate less, or even have difficulty urinating. Urine may appear foamy due to protein leakage, turning dark or mixed with blood. The reason is that the kidneys have reduced filtering capacity, causing unwanted substances to be excreted through the urine.
Prolonged feeling of fatigue
Kidneys play a role in producing erythropoietin hormone - a factor that stimulates red blood cell production. When kidney function declines, this hormone also decreases, leading to anemia. As a result, the body is always in a state of lethargy, lack of energy, easily tired even if only exercising lightly, even affecting daily life.
Reduced concentration
The accumulation of toxins in the blood due to weak kidneys can also affect the brain. Patients are prone to difficulty concentrating, memory decline, confusion and slow reactions. Accompanying it is a feeling of mental impairment and prolonged fatigue, showing that the body is being comprehensively affected.
Skin itching and cramps
When the kidneys do not effectively filter away waste, it will accumulate in the blood along with mineral imbalances such as calcium and phosphorus. This can cause skin itching, especially at night, and also lead to cramps or muscle spasms, common in the legs.
If you notice these signs appearing frequently, you should go for an early health check-up to detect and handle them promptly.
