As important as your kidneys are to your health (including your bone health), symptoms of their malfunction can be quite subtle. Yet early detection is crucial for preventing permanent kidney damage, so it’s vital to recognize the signs that something is not right with these detoxification organs.
In today’s post, you’ll learn about eight early warning signs that could mean your kidney function is not up to par, and what to do about it.
Let’s get started!
Kidney Function Declines With Age
It’s especially important to pay attention to your kidneys as you get older, because their function tends to decline in the later adult years (more on this later). In fact, and especially as it relates to your bone health, kidney function becomes even more crucial as we advance in years, because they are key players in the acid/alkaline balance in the body.
As Savers know, this balance is at the very heart of the Osteoporosis Reversal Program’s drug-free osteoporosis treatment. In addition to balancing the pH, the kidneys also filter out bone-damaging toxins and “decide” which vitamins and minerals need to be excreted or put back into circulation. Unfortunately, osteoporosis drugs have also been implicated in kidney damage, adding yet another compelling reason to avoid them.
As you can see, the kidneys are at the center of your bone health. So it’s vital to keep track of their function.
Are You Experiencing Any Of These Symptoms?
1. Swollen Feet, Ankles, Face, Or Other
Fluid retention is a definite sign that something is up with your body’s excretory system. One of the primary ways the kidneys keep your body balanced and deliver nutrients is by regulation of water. If these organs are not functioning well, fluid can accumulate in your tissues. Usually, you notice the swelling at your ankles, feet, face, or hands. Your legs might also swell.
2. Changes In Your Urine – Appearance, Frequency, Etc.
It makes sense to pay attention to urinary output, color and frequency when you’re taking note of your kidney function. After all, producing urine is one of the main things the kidneys do, so if you see any of the following changes, it might signal a kidney problem:
- Urination is difficult.
- You see blood in your urine.
- Urination occurs less frequently, and when you do go, it appears very dark.
- On the other hand, an increase in urine output and a lighter color can also indicate a problem (if it can’t be attributed to something obvious, such as drinking a lot of water).
- Urine appears foamy or bubbly.
- You wake during the night (sometimes more than once) with the urgent need to go.
3. Nausea And Vomiting
It’s understandable that you’d feel nauseated if your kidneys are letting “garbage” pile up in your system (the term for this phenomenon is “uremia”). Your body feels the need to expel the poisons, which can manifest as nausea and the feeling that you need to vomit. Sometimes, vomiting actually does occur.
4. Feeling Tired Or Sluggish During The Day
Everyone has a day when they feel tired – maybe you didn’t get enough sleep, or ate the wrong foods, or some other temporary factors are at play. But sometimes, fatigue is caused by lack of a hormone called erythropoietin, or EPO. The main function of EPO is to stimulate the production of red blood cells, and red blood cells carry energizing oxygen to cells throughout your body.
Stressed kidneys do not produce enough EPO, thereby reducing the number of red blood cells and making you feel weak and tired out.
5. Pain In Your Legs
If your kidneys are the cause of leg discomfort or pain, it’s usually located in the back of your legs. It can even migrate to your lower back, and can range from a feeling of muscle tightness to significant pain.
Kidney stones produce severe pain, usually in the back. Pain can also mean a kidney infection, which may be accompanied by a bladder infection as well. In some cases, the kidneys and liver might have cysts, which can be quite painful.
6. A Bad Taste In Your Mouth
If your kidneys are not removing toxins, they accumulate in your body (uremia). This can cause a metallic taste in your mouth, and produce bad breath. You might also find that food doesn’t taste the same, particularly meats. (This is interesting to note in light of the research we’re going to look at later, which connects a high-meat diet with kidney stress.) This dulls your appetite, which in turn can cause weight loss.
7. Itchy Rashes
When uric acid and waste products accumulate, the resulting buildup can cause itchy patches on your skin. Rashes are a vague symptom that can be caused by a number of factors; but those that result from kidney malfunction feel “deeper.” Topical treatment doesn’t help very much, because the itch feels like it extends below the skin’s surface. Uric acid-induced rashes can also manifest as little red bumps, not unlike acne.
8. Anemia
As I mentioned earlier, your kidneys produce red blood cell-stimulating EPO. Without enough EPO, you can’t make enough red blood cells, which can result in anemia. Anemia can manifest in a myriad of symptoms, including feeling winded and out of breath, feeling chilly even if your surroundings are warm, and dizziness. The reason for all of these symptoms is a systemic lack of oxygen (delivered by red blood cells).
What Causes Kidney Malfunction?
A major culprit of kidney problems is an acidic diet (consumed by the majority of the population). A brand-new study sheds light on the renal problems that can be caused by a high-acid, meat-rich diet.
The study followed 1,500 people with kidney disease for a period of 14 years. Participants who ate a diet high in meat came very close to experiencing complete kidney failure, while those who ate more fruits and vegetables did not even come close to kidney failure. Researchers estimate that an acidic diet can make it three times more likely for your kidneys to fail.1
Says lead study author Dr. Tanushree Banejee,
“Patients with chronic kidney disease may want to pay more attention to diet consumption of acid rich foods to reduce progression to kidney failure…dialysis treatments…may be avoided by adopting a more healthy diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables.”1
Why Wait Until Your Kidneys Are Diseased?
While the study was conducted on people with kidney disease, we could safely extrapolate the recommendations to those who want to avoid kidney disease and achieve optimal kidney function now, especially as we age.
In fact, additional research points to the actuality of physiological changes in the kidneys as we age. The research notes that a progressive reduction of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal blood flow (RBF) are observed in conjunction with aging. The reason for these phenomena is a decrease in the plasma flow in the glomerulus, a bundle of capillaries that partially form the renal corpuscle.2
In addition, the aging kidneys experience other structural changes, such as a loss of renal mass, and decreased responsiveness to stimuli that constrict or dilate blood vessels. The study concludes with a notable summation:
“…age-related changes in cardiovascular hemodynamics, such as reduced cardiac output and systemic hypertension, are likely to play a role in reducing renal perfusion and filtration. Finally, it is hypothesized that increases in cellular oxidative stress that accompany aging result in endothelial cell dysfunction and changes in vasoactive mediators resulting in increased atherosclerosis, hypertension and glomerulosclerosis.”2
So Now Is The Time To “Pamper” Your Kidneys
If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, you should see your health practitioner and have a check-up, including tests to assess your kidney function.
And you should also make sure you’re helping your kidneys stay in top shape by doing a thorough cleanse.
Even if you don’t have any of these signs, a systemic cleanse is like a spa day for your kidneys. It helps them get in top shape and avoid damage and disease. This is why the Osteoporosis Fresh Start Cleanse: The 7 Day Bone Building Accelerator was developed in conjunction with the Osteoporosis Reversal Program.
The Osteoporosis Fresh Start Cleanse is not just about alkalizing your body, feeling younger and more energized, and removing osteoporosis drugs from your system. It does all of these things in just seven days, but at the heart of the Osteoporosis Fresh Start Cleanse’s effectiveness are its kidney-boosting, liver-cleansing effects so you’ll strengthen and build your bones faster.
It’s always a good idea to heed early warning signs and treat your kidneys to a cleanse before damage occurs, and it’s particularly important to offset the effects of aging on your renal system.
Accelerated Bone Remodeling In Just 7 Days!
Discover how the Osteoporosis Fresh Start Cleanse can flush osteoporosis drugs and other bone-damaging toxins from your system – in just seven days.
Now is the time to rejuvenate your kidneys and your bones!
References:
1 Banerjee, Tanushree, PhD, et al. “High Dietary Acid Load Predicts ESRD among Adults with CKD.” February 2015. Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN). Doi: 10.1681/ASN.2014040332. Web. https://jasn.asnjournals.org/content/early/2015/02/11/ASN.2014040332.abstract
2 Weinstein, Jessica R. and Anderson, Sharon. “The Aging Kidney: Physiological Changes.” Advances in Chronic Kidney Disease. July 2010. Volume 17, Issue 4, Pages 302-307. Web. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2901622/
dear dr ive been very sick for a number of years I was due for a operation in august but have been told I cant have it as something is wrong with my kidneys,ive had both stones in gall bladder and in the bile duct with my blood tests came up clear of this but all the same I had a scan and there they were,so im not easy to deal with I have a bad pain on the right side and the pain brings me to my knees,my blood pressure was low and the blood came back showing that the kidneys are bad im waiting to see a kidney doctor could you please tell me what to look out for.
What kind of Dr would I see for testing?
I have swelling in my feet hands arms and legs. it feels like my whole body, yet my metabolic panel is normal. What does that mean is it still my kidneys?!?
What’s up, yup this article is really pleasant and I have learned lot of things from it
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That’s pain in kidney area
I am 50
I have son kidney area right side
Severe itching
Dizzy
Nausea
Hair coming out
Swelling in feet
Looking at the symptoms for kidney problems I think I’m gonna get checked
I M on blood pressure meds and I do get checked every 3 month but now some weird things are hapening
Hi Dr, I am 29yrs old pls i have body itching and change in skin complextion from dark to a kind of sting yellow skin and swollen in my hands,legs and sometimes my eyes. I also experience body shaking as if my nerves are over worked and with respect to this, as my heart beats my body shakes in responds to the beat. and weak sight all started since October 2017 after i recorded the first high blood pressure in my life at that age so early. pls advice me on what to do as to know the real cause of this and possible solution to revive my system back to normal. i will be so grateful if you are of help to me God bless you.
Go to a REAL doctor not some online quack that is trying to scare everyone
Hy..I m married and 26 yrs old..I hve lost of appetite from 4 days and feeling vomiting. Pregnancy test is also negative. From 4 days I hve nt taken a single bite of anything. I consulted doctors bt no helpful result. Ultrasound reports are also normal. Plz help me out for this problem.
very interesting
These are some major signs for kidney pain:
1. High Blood Pressure
2. Changes in the amount and number of times urine is passed.
3. Blood in your urine.
4. Tiredness
5. Difficulty sleeping
6. Headaches
7. Shortness of breath
8. Nausea and Vomiting
You have notice them and consult with doctor do not ignore them. https://www.healthmagaz.com/kidneys/kidney-pain/11-signs-may-kidney-pain/
I have 5 out of the 8 of these symptoms. I just went to the doctor. Idk if it is possible to have normal kidney levels but I have not been feeling good for two week and there are some of these symptoms that have been going on for months.
I have a lot of pain in mylift side of my back I’m sure it’s my kidney but my dr don’t think so but my urine yellow..what do you think?
I have some pains at my lower back is it kidney problem?
I have a question if anyone would be willing to help me. In 2014 i became seotic and had milti organ failure, kidneys were one of those i done dialysis for a little while and got better. I have noticed over the last 6 months i have had to push like im having a bm. Could my previous kidney failure be a reason for this?
Yup sure can be . If you start eating all organic foods seasonings ect your body will do so much better
I feel bloated in left lower side of my stomach. Also I am facing back pain.
Do I have kidney problems?
My urea& creatine lebel is right,left kidney functioning well but right kidney not functioning in IVP test, not visual in 2 hour film. I am not facing any problem.I am 30 yrs having a child.There are no pathor seen in usg test. Give me suggestion what should I do.kub test shows no opaque shadow is noticed
My creatinine is 40.5 is it to high? I am trying to understand the numbers. Can you help me pmease.
Dr. I have a boyfriend who’s foot has like rashes. Most times when he puts on a tight shoe by they time he’s back from work his foot has rashes swollen with little water inside swellings. U kw when someone is been beaten by a ant? And you scratch u kw how swollen it looks with water inside. After 3 or 4 days it drys off and you can peal it. But very rough and disgusting. Plz what do we do doc
I have all these symptoms but it all went away since I include apples in my diet. It’s very effective. Just eat apples in the morning before meal.
Sorry but apples are NOT a cure
Hi Doc;am always having abdominal pain at least twice a week.
My age is 39&also having hypertytisB.
Please does it have any effect to my kidney???
Hello my dad has both of his kidneys not working well and I’m only 12 I have a sis a bro and anot her sis I’m really worried for my dad he also sometimes feels his heart beating so fast. He also has diabetes. I’m afraid I will lose my dad he ways 130 kg pls if any doctor knows how to help my dad pls message mè by email. My email is: ra******@em*********.net. pls any good docter pls help me save my dad
hello dear,
be strong
think without getting worried then only you will get the proper direction.
If you are near to hyderabad, I would suggest you to consult Dr. V chandramohan of Preeti Urology and kidney hospital from Hyderabad.
He is really a good doctor.
Thank You.
For two weeks now my hands, wrists, feet, ankles have been swollen and I’ve had a lot of pain in my hands also now my lower back has really been hurting me where it’s hard to even stand up and down or squat. I’m tired all the time, just no motivation to do anything, bad mood, Felling irrated a lot. Also my urine has turned to almost like a neon yellow color but there is no smell or anything. I get up a lot to use the bathroom at night time. I should probably go see a Dr. Soon as possible right? After reading this article I’m almost positive that I’m having problems with my kidneys now and I’m really scared and nervous! I’m a Mother of 3 young children under the age of 10, and I’m only 33yrs old. I don’t know much about kidney disease or kidney failure. I just don’t want to die and leave my children behind and my husband. We also don’t have insurance until the 2nd of June. So I will have to go to the ER to be seen and I know that will probably be very expensive visit that we can’t afford. So I’m trying to hold off on going for as long as possible and I’m sure that is a risky move to make. What could happen if I would wait the two weeks until our insurance kicks in??? Plz respond quickly if possible!