12 Kidney Disease Symptoms For Men And Women That You Should Absolutely NEVER Ignore

If you are suddenly experiencing confusion or having trouble concentrating, there is probably an underlying medical reason. A trip to the doctor is absolutely necessary.

According to the Medical Education Institute, "Anemia related to kidney failure means that your brain is not getting enough oxygen. This can lead to memory problems, trouble with concentration, and dizziness."

It may sound like a weird symptom, but excessively dry, itchy skin is a major symptom of kidney disease.

The National Kidney Center writes, "If your kidneys are unable to remove waste from the bloodstream, the buildup can cause rashes and severe itching."

If unexplained itching or severe rashes occur, you should absolutely see your doctor to have your kidneys checked out.

The Mayo Clinic writes that "signs and symptoms of kidney disease may include high blood pressure (hypertension) that's difficult to control."

There are many serious health conditions that could be causing high blood pressure. It is very important to see a medical professional if your blood pressure keeps increasing.

According to the Medical Education Institute, "Trouble catching your breath can be related to the kidneys in two ways. First, extra fluid in the body can build up in the lungs. And second, anemia (a shortage of oxygen-carrying red blood cells) can leave your body oxygen-starved and short of breath."

Obviously, we all experience labored breathing when we perform strenuous exercise. But if you are finding yourself short of breath for no reason, you should definitely get it checked out as soon as possible.

Surprisingly, pain in the legs can be an indication of serious kidney trouble.

The National Kidney Center writes, "Kidney problems can lead to pain in the back, side or even in the leg. Kidney cysts resulting from polycystic kidney disease that form on kidneys…can also cause back and leg pain."

Less serious (but still painful) kidney stones can lead to these spasms of pain, and it is crucial that you have them looked at by a doctor.

Go to PAGE 2 to learn more symptoms of kidney disease that affect both women and men!

According to the Medical Education Institute, "Failing kidneys don't remove extra fluid, which builds up in your body to cause swelling in the legs, ankles, feet, face, and/or hands."

This swelling can range anywhere from mild to extremely severe. The important thing to remember is that if you are noticing pockets of fluid building up in your extremities, you should seek medical attention immediately.

Having chills, or feeling cold in a warm room, could be a sign that you are having serious kidney trouble.

The National Kidney Center writes that healthy kidneys produce a hormone "which prompts the body to make oxygen-carrying red blood cells. Kidney disease can interrupt the healthy production of this hormone and cause…anemia. Anemia and kidney disease can result in a variety of symptoms, including constantly feeling cold."

According to WebMD, "The symptoms of kidney disease may include loss of appetite."

If you find yourself less interested in food, particularly if this is accompanied by other symptoms of kidney disease, you will probably want to get checked out. While weight loss may seem like a positive side effect, this lack of appetite is not good for your long term health and is often a sign of a larger problem.

It might sound silly, but it is actually very serious. Experiencing a metallic taste in the mouth is one of the strongest signs that something is wrong with your kidneys.

According to DaVita Healthcare, you should look out for "ammonia breath or an ammonia or metal taste in the mouth. Waste build-up in the body can cause bad breath, changes in taste, or an aversion to protein foods like meat."

Go to PAGE 3 to learn more symptoms of kidney disease that affect both women and men!

The National Kidney Center writes, "Because your kidneys are tasked with making urine, and thereby eliminating waste, any changes in the frequency, color, or appearance of urine should be taken seriously."

They continue, "Some common types of changes include: urinating more frequently during the night or in greater amounts, urinating less often or in smaller amounts, having foamy or bubbly urine or blood in your urine, [and] difficulty urinating."

While kidney disease isn't the only serious condition that affects your urination habits, you should certainly see a doctor if you notice large changes.

According to Dialysis Patient Citizens, one of the early symptoms of kidney disease is "fatigue/tiredness" that is caused by a lack of healthy red blood cells. They write, "Healthy kidneys produce a hormone that helps produce red blood cells."

Everyone feels tired from time to time. However, if you notice that you are experiencing extreme fatigue even after getting a good amount of sleep the night before, this is probably a sign that something larger is going on, and you should speak to your doctor right away.

The National Kidney Center writes that as a result of kidney disease, "waste buildup in the blood can also cause nausea and vomiting."

Because your kidneys are responsible for getting rid of waste from the body, nausea and vomiting can be the unfortunate side effects of kidney disease. It is important to see a doctor if these become frequent or extreme, particularly when paired with other symptoms.

The key to preventing late stage kidney disease or kidney failure is early detection. Make sure that you know the signs!

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