Warning Signs of Kidney Problems & How Dialysis Can Cure It
Kidney problems have created a niche for themselves in a world where people are leading a sedentary lifestyle and taking unhealthy food.
Ever wondered what these are doing to your body?
It is just like giving yourself a slow death.
People may experience one or a few symptoms and that makes it very crucial to consult a doctor.
The symptoms of kidney problems are:
1. Fatigue
Due to kidney problems, the body begins to make less EPO. EPO is erythropoietin, a hormone produced by healthy kidneys that further helps to create red blood cells which carry oxygen to other parts of the body. As a consequence, muscles, and brain get tired quickly. This is the most significant danger sign, and one should immediately consult the doctor.
2. Frequent urination
When a person frequently urinates especially at night may be a symptom of kidney disease. It can also be due to the damage to the kidney filters which can increase the urge to urinate at very short intervals.
3. Blood in urine
When kidney filters are damaged then it leads to leakage of blood in urine. Healthy kidneys help to keep the blood cells in the body while removing waste from the body. This symptom should not be ignored at all.
4. Foamy urine
The urine may be foamy sometimes with excessive bubbles which become difficult to flush out. This foam is an indication of the presence of protein in the urine. This is the same protein which is present in eggs.
5. Swollen ankles and feet
Kidney dysfunction can lead to sodium retention in the body. This is the reason why ankles and feet get swollen. This also causes discomfort to the person.
6. Itchy skin
When kidneys function properly, they remove waste and extra fluids from the body, keep the bone strong and maintain the right amount of minerals. But their dysfunction leads to the dry and itchy skin as the kidneys become unable to maintain the right balance of minerals.
7. Trouble in sleeping
When the waste material does not get out of the body, it stays in the blood and thus makes it difficult for the person to sleep. This further exaggerates the problem as the person becomes
impotent to cope up with the situation.
8. Loss of appetite
In this situation, people experience poor appetite and do not feel the desire to eat. It also takes away the strength of the body thus making the person weak.
9. Shortness of breath
Person may find it difficult to breathe properly which causes discomfort. This situation sometimes becomes unexplained as the person cannot find out the reason for it.
10. A pressure in the chest area
Pain or pressure may be felt in the chest area which becomes unbearable in some cases. These symptoms should not be left unnoticed as getting the right treatment is what you need in this case.
7. Trouble in sleeping
When the waste material does not get out of the body, it stays in the blood and thus makes it difficult for the person to sleep. This further exaggerates the problem as the person becomes
impotent to cope up with the situation.
8. Loss of appetite
In this situation, people experience poor appetite and do not feel the desire to eat. It also takes away the strength of the body thus making the person weak.
9. Shortness of breath
Person may find it difficult to breathe properly which causes discomfort. This situation sometimes becomes unexplained as the person cannot find out the reason for it.
10. A pressure in the chest area
Pain or pressure may be felt in the chest area which becomes unbearable in some cases. These symptoms should not be left unnoticed as getting the right treatment is what you need in this case.
Now the question arises as to which is the best treatment to cure kidney problems.
What is Dialysis?
Dialysis is the process of removing extra fluid and waste products from the body when the kidneys are not able to perform its functions properly. It also helps to maintain the level of chemicals such as potassium, sodium and bicarbonate. It also helps to keep the blood pressure under control.
Functioning
The basic principles of working of dialysis are diffusion of solutes and filtering out the fluid through a semi-permeable membrane. With this, dialysis functions and helps to restore the functioning of kidneys in an artificial way.
How does Dialysis help to cure kidney problems?
Dialysis is a life-saving treatment for those suffering from kidney disease.
It performs the following functions:
1. Removes fluids and waste
Waste such as nitrogen and creatinine needs to be removed from the body when they build up in the bloodstream. With the help of dialysis, this can be removed and further complications can be avoided.
2. Regulates electrolytes
Electrolytes are the minerals present in the body. But their presence in excess damages the kidneys. Thus, they need to be removed which can be done with the help of dialysis.
3. Regulates blood pressure
It helps to maintain blood pressure thus helping the kidneys to function properly. Kidneys produce renin, an enzyme, which helps to regulate blood pressure but production of renin in excess can lead to high blood pressure which according to the doctors should be controlled.
4. Restores the function of the kidney
It gives an artificial support to the kidney to function properly as kidneys lose the functioning capacity due to one reason or the other. Dialysis has saved so many lives and has given a chance to people affected by kidney problems to live for more years. Though it cannot replace the natural functioning of the kidneys but still it is capable of giving a new hope of life to the patients.
