The situation in which the kidneys suddenly fail is very rare. Usually, the kidneys lose their function gradually, and it happens when cancer occurs. First signs, in these cases, are light and can easily be taken for low energy or dehydration. Over time, being able to recognize these symptoms can be crucial for patients. Getting timely treatment can stop and even reverse the damage if it is caught early. 

Here, we will look at the early warning signs of kidney failure, the reasons for these symptoms, simple steps to stop the condition from worsening, and how people can protect their kidney health for the future.

What is Kidney Failure?

It is very helpful to know what kidney failure is before its symptoms are looked at. Renal failure or kidney failure is a stage of the organ that loses the capacity to filter ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌blood. What follows is that the body starts to keep harmful wastes, extra fluids, and also the unbalances of the most important minerals that are necessary for life. It does make a difference when it is diagnosed early-treatments at this stage can slow or even stop the disease itself. Kidney failure may be:

• Acute: The major causes for this could be an accident, severe dehydration, infections, apart from drugs (medications).

• Chronic: Most patients are due to diabetes, high blood pressure, or long-term conditions that affect the kidney tissue.

Besides, most of the early symptoms refer to CKD, which is a type that progresses slowly and ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌gradually.

Early​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Symptoms of Kidney Failure

Here are some symptoms of kidney failure that you should be aware of.

• Changes in Urination: As the kidneys are the organs that are directly responsible for urine production, any changes in urination habits are usually the first and most prominent signs.

• Increased Urination, Especially at Night: This situation takes place when the kidneys that are already damaged are not able to concentrate urine; thus, more frequent trips to the bathroom are made (nocturia).

• Reduced Urine Output: There is a group of people who find that they produce less urine even though they normally drink water, and this is the reason why they may think that they are reducing their urine output.

• Foamy or Bubbly Urine: Foam, most of the time, is an indication of protein in the urine. Healthy kidneys are those that do not allow protein leakage; thus, foam is the first warning signal of the impairment of filtration.

• Dark, Brownish, or Tea-Colored Urine: The presence of blood or waste is what is mostly implied by the color change in the urine.

• Difficulty Urinating: Painful urination, trouble starting urination, and weakening of the stream may be symptoms of early kidney problems or a urinary tract infection, obstruction, or inflammation.

It is very important to be aware of these symptoms, even if only one of them appears at a time, and rarely, these minor changes most of the time come before more severe ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌situations.

What is CKD And Its Causes? 

CKD​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ , or Chronic Kidney Disease, refers to a condition where the kidneys regularly lose the power to filter waste, extra fluids, and toxins from the blood. It is different from acute kidney failure in the sense that CKD takes its time (months or years) to show symptoms, whereas the latter happens abruptly. In most cases, CKD is asymptomatic for a very long time.

As the capability of the kidney fades, the body becomes full of waste, which may cause high blood pressure, anemia, bone fragility, cardiovascular diseases, and, in the end, kidney failure if it continues untreated.

Causes of Chronic Kidney Disease

1. Diabetes 

• Diabetes is the most common cause of Chronic Kidney Disease worldwide.

• This is in contrast to the book of Chronicles, which avoids completely the accounts of the beginnings of His reign found in the earlier historical books.

• The to much sugar damages the small blood vessels in the kidneys.

• It will, in time, be impossible for the kidneys to filter appropriately.

2. High Blood Pressure

• Hypertension, in time, destroys the small vessels in the kidneys called glomeruli.

• Makes it solid for the kidneys to remove waste.

• Hypertension and CKD form a vicious circle.

3. Glomerulonephritis

• This is an inflammation of the filtrating units (glomeruli) within the kidney.

• It can be acute or chronic.

• Regularly, glomerular disease is the result of infections, immune disorders, or underlying causes.

4. Polycystic Kidney Disease 

• Hereditary disorder.

• The disease causes the formation of fluid-filled sacs in the kidneys.

• The kidneys grow, and the function is gradually lost.

5. Recurrent Kidney Infections (Pyelonephritis)

• Infections that are frequent and/or severe can lead to scarring of the kidney tissues.

• Over time, the ability to filter is diminishing.

6. Long-term Use of Certain Medications

• NSAIDs such as Ibuprofen, Naproxen.

• Some antibiotics.

• Certain pain relievers.

• If these are taken excessively, they can lead to chronic kidney ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌damage.

Risk Factors For Kidney Disease You Can’t Change

Below are some risk factors for kidney disease that you should know:

Kidney Problems in The Family

Your risk may be higher if someone in your family has chronic kidney disease, is on dialysis, or has had a kidney transplant. You may inherit some kidney problems, such as polycystic kidney disease. Polycystic Kidney Disease causes large fluid-filled cysts that can replace normal kidney tissue. Diabetes and high blood pressure can run in families. It's also important to know your family health history and to share it with your doctor so you can be checked early and get care you may need.

Premature Birth And Age

Approximately 1 in 5 very premature infants (<32 weeks) may develop calcium deposits in the kidney filters (nephrons), a process called nephrocalcinosis. Later-life kidney problems can result for some individuals with this. As we get older, our kidneys don't work as well. The chances of kidney problems increase with age.

Trauma or Accident

Accidents, injuries, some surgeries, and X-ray dyes can damage blood flow to the kidneys and lead to acute or sudden kidney failure. Some of these cases of acute kidney failure improve, but if your kidneys have already failed for whatever reason, your risk for CKD is far greater.

Conclusion

Most people think that can we stop kidney failure or damage? The answer is yes, it depends on the early signs of kidney failure. If you are aware of symptoms of kidney failure, then you can able to protect your kidneys from damage, and live longer. You must contact the doctor after getting any signs of kidney failure, to get treatment on time.