Signs of Kidney Dysfunction

26 million American adults have chronic kidney disease, and global officials report the disease is growing to pandemic proportions. It has led to renal failure---the need for transplant or dialysis---among more than 1 million people worldwide.

Basics

• In more than two out of three cases, chronic kidney disease is a result of diabetes or high blood pressure. Individuals experiencing these particular conditions should be especially vigilant for signs of kidney dysfunction. CKD is a slow and often irreversible loss of kidney power over time, ranging from months to years, where damaged kidneys have a limited ability to properly process waste. Each kidney also oversees other vital purposes, including regulating levels of calcium, sodium, phosphorus and potassium in the blood. Those suffering CKD suffer as toxins accumulate, nausea and fatigue set in, the body bloats and dangerous complications such as high blood pressure, anemia and nerve damage often result.

Symptoms

• Most people don't experience any serious signs of kidney dysfunction until the disease has advanced. An urge to urinate more frequently, especially at night, often is an early indication of a problem. That normally is combined with overall difficulty in sleeping. Muscles cramps may cause discomfort in the evening. Swollen feet and ankles could indicate that the kidneys are having trouble controlling the level of water in the body, leading to edema. A distinct puffiness around the eyes, especially upon awakening, may also be cause for concern.

  Other symptoms include dry, itchy skin, lack of concentration, loss of appetite and general fatigue. This is common as waste and toxins clog the system, polluting the body and stealing away energy. Shortness of breath, dizziness, and cold chills on a regular basis are signs of a potential problem. Other symptoms include breath that smells of ammonia or a metallic taste in the mouth.

Initial Diagnosis

• If signs of kidney dysfunction indicate investigation, blood samples will be taken and analyzed for creatinine, a waste product used by muscles and expelled almost exclusively by the kidneys. "The level of these waste products in the blood increases as kidney filtration declines. Abnormal results are usually the first sign that kidney disease is present," states the American Association for Clinical Chemistry. "A urine sample (urinalysis) is also examined and analyzed as part of routine screening. This set of tests looks for indicators of kidney and urinary disease such as red blood cells, white blood cells, and protein in the urine."

High-Risk Groups

• Signs of kidney dysfunction present most often in people with hypertension, diabetes and a family history of kidney disease. The rate of CKD is also higher among certain groups, including Native Americans, African-Americans, Pacific Islanders, Hispanics and senior citizens.

How to Reduce Your Risk

• The American Association of Kidney Patients suggests that following prescribed treatment plans for diabetes and high blood pressure is crucial in staving off kidney dysfunction. Other ways to reduce the risk include limiting intake of over-the-counter pain medications and drinking plenty of water. Reduce salt intake, exercise daily and treat urinary tract infections promptly.