Think you’d know if you had kidney disease? Check these symptoms:
- ⚠️ Tiredness
- ⚠️ Swollen ankles, feet or hands
- ⚠️ Persistently puffy eyes or face
- ⚠️ Blood in your wee (urine)
- ⚠️ Persistently frothy wee
- ⚠️ Needing to wee (urinate) more often
- ⚠️ Itchy skin
- ⚠️ Difficulty concentrating
- ⚠️ Feeling sick or vomiting
- ⚠️ Weight loss or poor appetite
- ⚠️ Shortness of breath
- ⚠️ Discomfort or pain in the lower back, side, or abdomen
If you consistently experience any of the symptoms listed above, or have diabetes, high blood pressure or a family history of kidney disease (such as polycystic kidney disease), please speak to your GP and ask them to test your kidney function.
There are usually no symptoms of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the early stages and people might feel healthy and well. It may only be diagnosed if you have a blood or urine test for another reason and the results show a possible problem with your kidneys.
Kidneys can also suddenly stop working properly, which is known as acute kidney injury (AKI). It largely happens due to illness, infection, medication reactions, dehydration, or kidney stones. AKI needs immediate treatment but is usually temporary, and kidney function often improves. However, having AKI can increase the risk of CKD. If you've had AKI before and have concerns, especially with symptoms mentioned on this page, speak to your GP.
Want to find out more? Here’s what kidneys do (it’s not all about wee)…
- They remove toxins, excess water and waste products and get rid of it via your wee (urine).
- They clean your blood 40 times every day through 140 miles of tubes and a million filters.
- Kidneys play a vital role in regulating your blood pressure
- They activate the vitamin D we obtain from food and sunlight to help keep your bones and muscles in good shape
- They produce a hormone that is needed for red blood cell production to stop you getting anaemic
- They are life-sustaining systems that contribute to the health of almost every organ in the body
Why you shouldn’t take your kidneys for granted
Most of the time, kidneys work normally without any issues but sometimes they can be damaged or stop working so well. This is known as chronic kidney disease. CKD is a condition that affects over 7 million people in the UK. Find out how you can improve your kidney health.
Early diagnosis and treatment, as well as changes to your diet and lifestyle, are vital and can often help slow down or prevent any further damage. However, if kidney disease goes undetected or is not managed well, it can progress to kidney failure, which is fatal without treatment. If your kidneys stop working, you need ongoing treatment to keep you alive, such as regular dialysis or a kidney transplant. There is no cure.
Some other types of kidney disease, including inherited conditions, are not preventable but can be managed.
Are you at risk?
Although anyone can develop kidney disease, here are some factors that can increase your risk:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Heart and circulatory disease
- Family history of kidney disease such as polycystic kidney disease
- Having a Black or South Asian background could mean an increased risk of developing kidney failure more quickly
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Regularly taking NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen
The huge impact on your life
Having kidney disease affects more than your physical health. It also impacts your social life, relationships and emotional wellbeing. Imagine visiting the hospital three times a week for a four-hour dialysis session – how would you fit this around work, or looking after children, or going on holiday?
How Kidney Charities Together (KCT) can support you
The seven charities that together make up the KCT group supports kidney patients with information and guidance in a number of complementary ways:
- Kidney Care UK provides financial, emotional and practical support to people with kidney disease; we believe that no one should face kidney disease alone
- Kidney Research UK champions patient voice and are the leading charity in the UK focused on funding research into the prevention, treatment and management of kidney disease
- Kidney Wales unites the Welsh kidney community to support world-class care and deliver wellbeing services
- The National Kidney Federation (NKF) provides an array of patient support services for those living with kidney disease and their families. The charity also campaigns for improvements to renal provision and treatment
- PKD Charity provides expert information and support for those living with polycystic kidney disease (PKD), while being dedicated to raising awareness and funds for research to improve treatment, care, and ultimately find a cure for PKD
- Popham Kidney Support provides support to children, youths and adults with kidney disease and their families in Wales
- The UK Kidney Association plays a major role in supporting healthcare professionals and developing clinical services
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