Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – The kidneys are an important organ in the human body whose role is to filter waste and excess fluids from the blood. When the kidneys are damaged, the body's function is not optimal.

However, the problem is that a number of studies show that 9 out of 10 people in the world are not aware of the decline in kidney function.

Launching from Kidney, Chief Medical Officer of the National Kidney Foundation, Dr. Joseph Vassalotti, said that kidney disease often goes unnoticed because sufferers tend to rarely experience symptoms. As a result, most cases are only discovered when they have entered the stage of kidney failure.

“Kidney disease sufferers tend not to experience symptoms until the final stages. This is the reason why only 10 people with chronic kidney disease know they have it,” said Dr. Vassalotti, quoted Wednesday (29/11/2023).

According to Dr. Vassalotti, the best way to find out the health condition of the kidneys is to carry out special examinations and be aware of certain signs.

Here are 10 signs of kidney problems.

1. Difficulty sleeping

Often, difficulty sleeping is associated with symptoms of stress. However, it turns out that this can also be a sign of kidney problems.

When the kidney's filtering ability begins to decline, toxins will remain in the blood and cannot be excreted through urine. As a result, sufferers will have difficulty sleeping.

“Sleep apnea (sleep disturbance in the form of stopping breathing due to blocked respiratory tract) is more common in those who suffer from chronic kidney disease,” said Dr. Vassalotti.

2. Foamy Urine

Excessive bubbles in the urine indicate the presence of protein in the urine. According to Dr. Vassalotti, foam that is a sign of kidney problems looks like foam from beaten eggs. This is because the protein often found in urine, albumin, is a protein similar to the content in eggs.

3. Dry and itchy skin

Healthy kidneys are able to remove waste and excess fluid from the body, help produce red blood cells, keep bones strong, and maintain the amount of minerals in the blood.

Dry and itchy skin can be a sign of mineral and bone disease which often occurs with severe kidney disease, a condition where the kidneys are no longer able to maintain the balance of minerals and nutrients in the blood.

4. Frequent urination

Kidney disorders can be characterized by frequent urination, especially at night. When the kidney filter is damaged, the urge to urinate increases.

In addition, an increased desire to urinate can be a sign of a urinary tract infection or an enlarged prostate in men.

5. Bloody Urine

Healthy kidneys normally maintain blood cells in the body while filtering waste from the blood to produce urine. However, when the kidney filters are damaged, these blood cells can begin to “leak” into the urine.

Apart from being a sign of kidney disease, bloody urine can also be an indication of a tumor, kidney stones or infection.

6. Get tired easily

One sign of kidney problems is easy fatigue, body weakness, and difficulty concentrating. This is because a severe decline in kidney function can cause a buildup of toxins and impurities in the blood. Apart from that, other complications of kidney disease, namely anemia, can cause weakness and fatigue.

7. Swelling around the eyes

Protein in the urine is an early sign that the kidney filter has been damaged, allowing protein to leak into the urine.

According to Dr. Vassalotti, swelling around the eyes may be caused by the kidneys leaking large amounts of protein into the urine, rather than storing it in the body.

8. Swollen Ankles and Feet

Dr. Vassalotti said decreased kidney function can cause sodium retention. As a result, the feet and ankles will experience swelling.

In addition, swelling in the lower extremities consisting of the pelvis, femur, tibia, fibula, tarsals, metatarsals, and phalanges can also be a sign of heart disease, liver disease, and chronic leg vein problems.

A decrease in appetite can be triggered by many things, one of which is the buildup of toxins due to decreased kidney function.

10. Muscle Cramps

Electrolyte imbalance can occur due to impaired kidney function. In addition, low calcium and phosphorus levels that are not well controlled can cause muscle cramps.

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(hsy/hsy)