Kidney disease is a serious health issue that can impact various organs and systems in the body. What are the warning signs of kidney disease? What actions harm the kidneys? How can one prevent and improve kidney health through diet and massage? This article will provide relevant knowledge and advice from both traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine perspectives.
9 Signs of Kidney Disease
Over 35 million adults in the United States, accounting for 14 percent, are affected by chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, over 90 percent of people with mild kidney disease are unaware of their condition, even when more than half of kidney function is lost. The kidneys play a crucial role in detoxifying the body, so how can one identify potential kidney problems? If you experience the following symptoms, special attention is warranted:- Fatigue: Fatigue includes tiredness, weakness, and a loss of appetite.
- Edema: Edema means swelling commonly observed in areas such as eyelids and ankles, possibly accompanied by increased body weight.
- High blood pressure: Kidney damage can lead to hypertension. Patients with kidney disease should regularly monitor their blood pressure.
- Anemia: Reduced secretion of erythropoietin (EPO) by the kidneys can result in anemia.
- Decrease in urine output: Oliguria is defined as daily urine output of less than 13.5 ounces (400 millimeters), while anuria is defined as less than 3.4 ounces (100 millimeters). These conditions indicate that the kidneys cannot effectively excrete metabolic waste, disrupting the internal balance.
- Blood in urine: The presence of red or blood-tinged urine—hematuria—is an early sign of kidney disease. Timely medical attention is necessary to identify the cause and take appropriate measures.
- Foamy urine: Increased foaming in the urine, or proteinuria, may indicate a large amount of protein, serving as a warning sign of abnormal kidney function. If bubbles persist for 10 minutes and there is viscous material after flushing the toilet, it may indicate proteinuria.
- Itchy skin: In the advanced stages of kidney disease, the inability to eliminate uremic toxins can lead to itchy or darkening skin.
- Shortness of breath: Patients in the advanced stages of kidney disease may experience symptoms such as pulmonary edema and arrhythmia, resulting in shortness of breath.
Primary Functions of the Kidneys
The kidneys are vital detoxification organs, with the fundamental functional units being nephrons. Each kidney comprises approximately 1 million nephrons, further divided into renal corpuscles and renal tubules. The following are the functions of the kidneys:- Blood filtration: Normally, blood enters the renal corpuscles for filtration. Subsequently, the filtered blood moves to the renal tubules, where reabsorption occurs (reclaiming essential components such as water and glucose) and secretion occurs (releasing waste products from the bloodstream into the renal tubules). The remaining liquid becomes urine, which is then expelled from the body.
- Regulation of blood pressure, electrolytes, and acid–base balance: The kidneys also play a crucial role in regulating blood pressure, electrolyte balance, and the acid–base balance of the blood, as well as managing the body’s internal fluid levels. Daily, the kidneys can filter approximately 47.5 to 52.8 gallons (180 to 200 liters) of liquid, with the majority being reabsorbed. Only 33.8 to 67.6 fluid ounces (1 to 2 liters) are left to form urine, which is expelled.
- Secretion of active vitamin D and hormones: The kidneys also secrete an active form of vitamin D to help maintain calcium balance in the bones. Additionally, they produce EPO, a hormone that stimulates the bone marrow to produce red blood cells.
Why Is Early-Stage Kidney Damage Difficult to Detect?
Chronic kidney disease results when the kidneys sustain damage for over three months, resulting in an inability to restore normal structure or function. However, discerning the early stages of kidney damage is often challenging. This is mainly because nearly every organ possesses a “safety margin,” also called “reserve capacity.”For example, the liver must only maintain 25 percent to 30 percent functionality to operate normally. This means that as long as liver damage stays below 70 percent, an individual may live a full life until reaching a natural lifespan.
