SYMPTOMS OF KIDNEY DISEASE
Early on, people may not have
any symptoms to tell them that their kidneys are not
functioning properly. That is why regular physicals, with
blood tests and urine tests, are so important. Test results
may show signs of kidney disease even when a patient feels
fine. As the kidney disease progresses, a person may feel
sick sometimes. However, the change may be so slow that he or she
does not do anything about these feelings. Symptoms may also
be due to another illness or problem.
Complete kidney failure, however, causes many changes in the
body, and people feel some stronger symptoms. Symptoms may
vary from person to person. One person may experience many
of the symptoms that follow, but another person may not.
Feeling generally sick
When the kidneys begin to fail, waste products will build up
in the blood. This may cause a person to feel generally
sick. Symptoms may include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and
loss of appetite, itching, and/or disturbed sleep.
Fluid Retention
The kidney may produce less urine, which may cause extra
fluid to build up in the body. This is called oedema.
People with this problem may have swollen hands and ankles.
They may gain fluid weight, and/or may be short of breath
doing activities such as walking or climbing a few stairs.
Anaemia
The body will not produce as many red blood cells when the
kidneys are not working. People with anaemia may feel weak,
cold and tired. A drug that acts like the bbody's hormone,
erythropoietin, stimulates the production of red
blood cells. The drug may be used to treat this type of
anaemia.
Toxin build up
When the kidneys are not working to clean the blood, waste
products called toxins will build up in the body. This may
cause fatigue, loss of appetite, and may make the person's
skin feel itchy.
• A headache.
• Puffiness around the eyes.
• Diarrhoea.
• Decreased sexual interest.
• Increased thirst.
• Feeling cold.
• Drowsiness or confusion.
• Decrease of urine output.
• Trouble concentrating.
The function of the Health Start Clinic is primarily to
educate and manage patients with early renal disease. The
aim is to ensure that the patient remains as healthy as
possible and maintains a high standard of living.
The Healthy Start Clinic is unique to National Renal Care, and all our centres country wide offers this program which includes education, dietary advice, management and psycho-social support for both the patient and family.
Contact (011) 726 5206 or your nearest centre for further
information.
