Kidney Disease

The kidneys sift out the “trash” that collects in the blood.  They sort through this waste, looking for things the body can use—like sodium, potassium, sugar and phosphorous.  Everything else is sent to the bladder in the form of urine. The kidneys also remove drugs from the body, balance the body's fluids, release hormones, produce vitamin D, and control the production of red blood cells.

SYMPTOMS OF KIDNEY DISEASE

Kidney damage may take decades to develop.  Often, the signs and symptoms aren’t noticeable until it’s too late—by then the damage is permanent.  Depending on the type of kidney problem, a person may have many symptoms or just a few.  In general, you may see: 

• Frequent headaches
• Fatigue or tiredness
• Unusual itching
• High blood pressure
• Decrease in urination
• Swelling of hands and feet (edema)
• Blood in the urine
• Numbness in hands and feet
• Bleeding in the stomach or intestines
• Abnormal urine tests
• Nausea or vomiting
• Confusion
• Seizures
• Coma
• Weight loss
• Concentration problems
• Muscle cramps
• Yellowish color to the skin