Kidney Function

The kidney helps regulate water balance and removes wastes from the blood. The functional unit of the kidney is the nephron which consists of the glomerular capsule and a long twisted tube.

Each human kidney is about 1 million nephrons blood flows through a twisted capillary wall called a glomerulus which is surrounded by the glomerular capsule? Blood in the glomerulus is under high pressure, so that water and various small molecules leak out through its porous walls and move into the capsule, this liquid filtrate contains many valuable molecules as well as a great amount of water.

If the filtrate moves through the tube, nutrients such as glucose and amino acids are transported back into the bloodstream. Some substances like calcium and potassium are secreted into the filtrate across the tubular walls. Most of the water returns to the bloodstream as the filtrate moves through the collecting duct. Urine travels from each kidney to the bladder through the ureter.

Most Common Symptoms Of Kidney Failure

Changes In The Urinary Cycle

The color, texture, and smell, of your urine, can indicate problems, within the kidneys, as can any kind of change in your urinary cycle.

If you notice trouble urinating, pain during urination, small amounts of urine, foamy urine, or pressure while urinating, it may be a sign of kidney failure in this case you need to visit your doctor immediately.

Swelling & Inflammation

When the kidneys are inflamed, and not working properly, they won’t be able to eliminate the excess fluid from the body, which will eventually result in inflammation, and swelling in the legs and feet. If you notice this symptom we suggest visiting your doctor immediately.

Skin Problems

In a case when the kidneys fail to remove wastes from the bloodstream, the buildup of wastes in your blood, can cause rashes severe itching, and dryness, you should take this issue very seriously, and it is another early sign of having problems, with your kidneys.

There are a number of topical treatments, prescription OTC, and natural ingredients, that can help, however, these will not address this condition.

Fatigue

The kidneys produce a hormone known as erythropoietin, which regulates the red blood cell production, in the bone marrow. Once the organ stops working it will cause a shortage of red blood cells, in the body, which results in anemia. Consequently, this will make you feel fatigued. So, if you’re feeling tired and dizzy without an apparent reason you may want to visit your doctor.

Shortness of Breath

Shortness of breath is one of the most commonly overlooked symptoms of kidney failure. The accumulation of toxins, in the blood, will lower the oxygen flow, in many organs, including the lungs, resulting in shortness of breath.

Metallic Taste

In the mouth, kidney failure has been known to cause a metallic taste in the mouth which occurs due to the accumulation of toxins in the cells and tissues.

Lower Back Pain

One of the most common signs of kidney damage and unhealthy kidneys is the lower back pain. This pain, at first, is manifested only on one side, but after a while, it moves to both sides.

You definitely should not ignore if this happens to you because this is an early warning sign of kidney damage.

Nausea

Dizziness and loss of focus when the kidneys aren’t working properly they won’t be able to supply clean blood to the brain and other tissues, resulting in neurological problems, such as dizziness and loss of focus. People with acute kidney failure, have been reporting symptoms such as dizziness, nausea and memory loss which clearly shows that there’s a link.